Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

366 The oath ofallegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life
gains and materialistic people. The reason for this is that asceticism
gives a man power to resist and gives him self-confidence on the
basis of belief, and it makes him look down on materialistic men,
those who are victims of physical desires and prisoners of their
stomachs." 197
2.3. The humility of Amir al-Mu'mineen
'Ali ibn Abi Tslib (&)
One of the Qur'anic attitudes that were embodied in the
character of Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ibn Ahi T%h (&) was that of
humility. Allah (%) says:
4And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance. Verily, you
can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature
like the mountains in height.) (Qur'an 17: 37)
(And tum not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in
insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant
boaster. 'And be moderate [or show no insolence] in your walking,
and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying
of the asses.) (Qur'an 31: 18-19)
In the verse from Soorat al-Isra', there is a clear call to adopt
the best of characteristics, such as humility and gentleness, and to
know one's limitations. There is a clear prohibition of evil
inclinations such as pride, arrogance, exultation in riches and looking
down on people. The command to adopt the opposite attributes of
humility and moderation is understood implicitly from the
prohibition mentioned above. Allah concluded this prohibition and
command by stating His displeasure and anger with the one who has
these negative qualities. Allab ($1 says: @erily, AUah likes not any
arrogant boaster) (Qur'an 31: 18). The fact that He does not love the
one who is like that means that He is angry and displeased with him,