Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 441
punished there. People are safe from their evil, their hearts are filled
with sorrow, their souls are pure and their wants are few. They were
patient for a few days for the sake of a long rest. When you see them
at night, you see them standing on their feet (in prayer) with tears
flowing down their cheeks, praying to Allah (%) to ransom their
necks. As for their days, they are virtuous, forbearing, righteous and
pious. One might look at them and think that they are sick, but there
is nothing wrong with them. They mix with people, but they are
preoccupied with a very serious matter."433
Another of his sayings is: "When the believer looks at
something, it should be to learn a lesson; when he is silent, it should
be because he is thinking about something; and when he speaks, he
should speak words of
He also said: "Glad tidings to every person who is not known
or prominent; he knows people, but people do not know him; he
knows Allah (&) and strives to please Him. Such people are beacons
of guidance, and Allah (&) will save them from every dark trial and
will admit them into mercy and grace from They do not
disclose secrets or broadcast gossip, and they are not harsh natured or
~howoffs."~~%e words of Amii al-Mu'mineen (&) are clearly
influenced by the words of the Messenger of Allah (&): "Allah loves
the slave who is pious, independent of means and unknown to the
people."437
3.5.2. 'Ali's (&) answer to the one who asked him
about the supererogatory worship of the Prophet (&)
It was narrated that '&im ibn Damurah said: "We asked 'Ali
(&)about the supererogatory worship of the Prophet (&) during the
day. He said: 'You cannot do it.' We said: 'Tell us what you think we
can do.' He said: 'When the Prophet (g) finished praying the dawn
prayer, he would wait until the sun was here (meaning in the east) as