Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

358 The oath of allegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life
adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that
last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of
hope.) (Qur'an 18: 46)
He was raised by the Prophet (g), who was the most
knowledgeable of all mankind about this world and its value; he is
the one who said: "If this world were worth a gnat's wing before
Allah (B), He would not give the disbeliever a drink of
He also said: "This world in comparison to the hereafter is like one of
you dipping one finger into the sea; let him see how much it can
hold175 and "This world is like a prison for the believer and a
paradise for the di~believer."'~~ Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) ,. was
influenced by this Qur'anic and prophetic upbringing. He became
one of the best examples of how the Prophet (B) taught, purified and
disciplined his followers, of which Allah (&) said:
(Similarly [to complete My Blessings on you], We have sent among
you a Messenger ~uhammad] of your own, reciting to you Our
Verses [the Qur'an] and purifying you ...% (Qur'an 2: 151)
'Ali gave us brilLiant parables of asceticism, of which a few
examples follow:
2.2.1. "0 yellow, 0 white, tempt someone
other than me"
It was narrated from 'Ali ibn Rabee'ah al-Wzbili that Ibn an-
NabbQ came to 'Ali ibn Abi T2ib (&) and said: "0 Amir al-
Mu'mineen, the public treasury of the Muslims is filled with yellow
and white (referring to gold and silver)." He said: "Allcihu akbar!"
Then he stood up, leaning on Ibn an-Nabb*, and went to the public
treasluy of the Muslims, where he said:
"0 Ibn an-Nabb&, bring me the people of Kufah." So the call went
out to the people, and 'Ali (&) gave away everything that was in the