Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi riilib 367
as is indicated by the verse quoted above, and that is enough
encouragement to make the believer love humility.198 In order to
promote humility, the noble Qur'an does not stop there; it encourages
it in the most eloquent fashion when Allah (B) says:
4And the [faithful] slaves of the Most Gracious [Allah] are those who
walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish
address them [with bad words] they reply back with mild words of
gentleness.) (Qur'an 25: 63)
This is great praise for the humble, for Allah (B) describes
them as being freed slaves to Him. This is the greatest honour for
is the noblest description
them, because true servitude to Him (g)
and the highest status for those who love Him, and they may feel
proud of that.
Our Prophet Muhammad (g) is the epitome of this great
attribute in all shapes and fonns. There is nothing strange about that,
for he is the one who was taught by his Lord in the best way. Among
the good attitudes that Allah (B) taught him was, as the Qur'an says:
(Look not with your eyes ambitiously at what We have bestowed on
certain classes ofthem [the disbelievers], nor grieve over them. And
lower your wings for the believers [be courteous to the fellowbelievers].)
(Qur'an 15: 88)
(And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you.#
(Qur'an 26: 215)
Lowering the wing is a metaphor for being humble and kind
towards them."' The Prophet (g) manifested that in the truest sense,
and the effect of humility was manifested in all these interactions, in
society and with his family, at all times and in all places. There is no
instance in which he was not humble towards Allah (B) and the
belie~ers.'~' Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) was influenced by the
teachings of the Qur'an and by his upbringing in the house of the