Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

370 The oath of allegiance to 'Ali, his characteristics & his way of life
the number of ignorant people who are inferior to you; rather look at
the scholars who are superior to you."208
We will end this description in the words of Amir al-
Mu'mineen 'Ali (&,)I "How beautiful is the humility of the rich
person towards the poor person, hoping for the reward of Allah (B).
But better than that is the pride shown by the poor man towards the
rich man out of trust in Allah (3$)."209 What is meant by pride here is
not arrogance; it is that the poor man feels of independent means
through the help of Allah, so he does not need what the rich have.
2.4. His generosity
Another of the Qur'anic attitudes that were embodied in the
character of Amir al-Mn'mineen 'Ali ihn Abi T%b (&) was that of
generosity. The noble Qur'an heaps praises on those who are
generous. This phrase appears near the beginning of the Qur'an when
Allah (g) says at the beginning of the second soorah, after the
Basmalah:
@l$-Inim-Meem. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qnr'an
and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] This is the Book
[the Qur'an], whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are
al-Muttaqoon [the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear
Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He
has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds
which He has ordained)]. Who believe in the Ghayb [the unseen] and
perform as-Sal& [Iqhat-as-Sal&], and spend out of what we have
provided for them 1i.e. give Zak&, spend on themselves, their
parents, their children, their wives, and also give charity to the poor
and also in Allah's cause - jihad]. And who believe in [the Qur'an
and the Sunnah] which has been sent down [revealed] to you
[Muhammad] and in that which were sent down before you [the