Writing about the sublime morals and noble character of the Chief of the Martyrs (a.s.) is akin to carrying a lamp before the dazzling sun. How can we possibly describe the noble character of one who is not only the successor of the supreme morals of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) [Surah Qalam (68): Verse 4] but has also inherited his (s.a.w.a.) authority, knowledge and responsibilities? Without these lessons from Imam Husain (a.s.) the world would have remained ignorant of the reality of morals and ethics. What would we have done had he (a.s.) not explained the concepts of morals and ethics?
We would never have learnt the ways of adopting these morals into our lives, had Imam Husain (a.s.) not presented a living example of these morals through his actions.
The morals prevalent these days can be classified as:
1. The general perception of the masses which is extremely literal and short-sighted i.e. if someone greets us politely then we consider him to possess good morals and if he fails to do so even once then we say that he has no morals.
2. The view of the scholars of morals which is an actual representation of the good character of a person. Discussing these views in detail would be beyond the scope of this article but to summarize their discussion, the most important aspects of Morals are Knowledge and Action.
Just as life is incomplete without the two of them, similarly morals are incomplete unless knowledge and actions of a person are free from all kinds of defects and weaknesses. As for knowledge there is none other than Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and his pure progeny (a.s.) who have received their knowledge directly from Allah and in the world of action they have no peers.
If a poor person sits in a gathering of poor people or a destitute sits among the indigent then this is not a sign of nobility. But if a noble person sits and has food among the needy, who are way below his social rank, this is among the peaks of morality. Is there anyone in this universe who can be compared to Imam Husain (a.s.)? The master of religion and the world, he has the highest of positions and the most noble of lineages; who can be greater than him? But we observe that Imam Husain (a.s.) despite having such great position and family background still exhibits utmost modesty and humility in his life.
Muhammad Ibn Mas’ood al-Ayyaashi (a.r.) has narrated through a reliable chain that once Imam Husain (a.s.) was passing by a place. He saw that some beggars sitting on a cloak and eating dry bread. When he (a.s.) came close to them they invited him (a.s.) to eat with them. Imam Husain (a.s.) immediately got off his horse and sat with them and recited:
“Surely He does not love the arrogant ones.”
[Surah Nahl (16): Verse 23]
He (a.s.) sat down to eat along with them. In some narrations it is found that Imam Husain (a.s.) told them that
“Forgive me because I cannot eat this food as it is from charity (which you have obtained by begging from people) and accepting charity is forbidden upon us Ahle Bait (a.s.).”
Let us analyze the actions of Imam Husain (a.s.) here wherein he (a.s.) knew that this food is not permissible for him, still he (a.s.) sat down with them. Imam (a.s.) accepted the invitation from the beggars so that they may not feel inferior to him (a.s.); at the same time in obedience to the commands of Allah, he (a.s.) did not partake in the meal. These are such beautiful morals which Imam (a.s.) is teaching us. If he (a.s.) wished he could have remained on his horse saying that this meal is not permissible for me rather he (a.s.) got down from his horse and sat with them and very politely explained why he (a.s.) was unable to partake the food they were eating. Then look at this beautiful manner in which Imam (a.s.) has presented a living example of the following verse of the Holy Quran:
“Is there any recompense for goodness except goodness?”
[Surah Rahman (55): Verse 60]
Imam Husain (a.s.) addressed them thus: “You have invited me and I have accepted. Now I too wish to invite you. Do accept my invitation.”
He (a.s.) took all of them to his house and told the maid that whatever is there in the house, bring it for the guests. He (a.s.) then treated them with respect and was the best of hosts for them and then gave them gifts as they were leaving.
(Jilaa al-Uyoon, vol. 2, p. 325)
Generosity of Imam Husain (a.s.)
Ibn Shahr Ashob narrates that once a Bedouin entered Medina and inquired about the most generous person in the city. People said: Husain ibn Ali (a.s.). Immediately he went to the mosque and saw that Imam Husain (a.s.) was busy in prayers. During this time he read a few poems in praise of Imam Husain (a.s.). When Imam Husain (a.s.) completed his prayers, he (a.s.) asked Qambar: Qambar is there any money left from the Hejaz property? Qanbar replied: Only four thousand gold coins remain. Imam (a.s.) said, “Bring it because this Bedouin is the most deserving of that amount.” Then Imam Husain (a.s.) wrapped those four thousand dinars in his cloak and held them out for the Bedouin from behind the door and did not see him eye to eye; so that he should not feel ashamed of meeting Imam Husain (a.s.) the next time. At the same time, Imam Husain (a.s.) recited a few poems seeking forgiveness from the Bedouin that he was only able to grant such an amount. When the Bedouin saw the cloak and the gold coins he started weeping.
Imam (a.s.) said: O Bedouin it seems that the amount which I have given you is less for your needs.
He replied: No. I am weeping because someday the world shall be deprived of this embodiment of generosity and nobility.
(Jilaa al-Uyoon, vol. 2, pp. 325-326)
There is a tradition in Jaame’ al-Akhbaar that a Bedouin came into the presence of Imam Husain (a.s.) and said: 0 son of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.)! I have a loan and am unable to repay it. I thought to myself that let me approach the noblest of the people for help and there is none better than Ahle Bait (a.s.) in nobility. Imam (a.s.) replied:
“This was your method by which you approached a noble person for help. But my way is that of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) who said that ‘goodness should be as per the level of the recognition’ i.e. if you have to bestow something then always keep in mind the level of recognition of the person whom you are giving. You should grant as per the level of recognition. I will ask you three questions. Upon every answer you shall get one-third of the money. If you reply to two questions then two-thirds and if you reply to all questions then the entire money will be yours.”
The Bedouin was skeptical as to whether he would be able to reply in front of Imam (a.s.). He said: 0 son of Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.a.)! You are the master of Divine Knowledge and the possessor of nobility and greatness. Nevertheless, you ask me. If I succeed then nothing like it else I’ll seek help from you again.
Imam (a.s.) asked: Which is the best of deeds?
He replied: Belief in Allah’s Being.
Imam (a.s.) then asked: What is the way to achieve salvation in the hereafter?
He replied: Hope in Allah.
Imam (a.s.) asked: What does man’s adornment lie in?
He replied: Knowledge accompanied with patience.
Imam (a.s.) asked: In case a person does not possess it (knowledge) then what will his adornment lie in?
He replied: Wealth and patience.
Imam (a.s.) asked: What if he does not possess that either?
He replied: Then such a person deserves that lightning strikes and destroys him completely.
Tradition says that no sooner did he utter this statement, Imam (a.s.) smiled, gave him the entire pouch of money containing 1000 dinars and said, “You have been successful in this test. Hence, take this entire amount” and he (a.s.) also said whilst giving him his own ring,
“Take this ring too, the gemstone of which values 200 dirhams. Repay your loan through the bag of money and use this ring for your daily expenses.”
The Bedouin replied (with the verse of the Holy Quran):
“Allah knows best where to place His Message.”
[Jila al-Uyoon, vol. 2, p. 328]
The Simple Life of Imam Husain(a.s.)
It is impossible for intellects to comprehend the greatness of the personality of Imam Husain (a.s.). When Imam Husain (a.s.) along with his brother Imam Hasan (a.s.) used to travel for Hajj on foot, several great companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) would emulate their actions and get off their horses out of respect. One of the reasons due to which Imam Husain (a.s.) was respected greatly was due to the fact that he (a.s.) used to spend his life along with the common people and would not separate himself from their concerns. Imam (a.s.) was involved in the matters concerning the people to such an extent that he himself used to face difficulties and troubles in trying to solve problems of other people. Imam (a.s.) would spend his time worrying about issues which people were facing.
Imam (a.s.) did not possess palaces, armies, legions of slaves, doorkeepers or janitors. Imam (a.s.) did not live his life like kings. Rather, it was in service to the poor and the needy, he himself would carry provisions to their houses.
Shoaib ibn Abdul Rahman al-Khozaai narrates: When Imam Husain (a.s.) was martyred, it was noticed that there were several marks on the back of Imam Husain (a.s.). When people asked Imam Sajjad (a.s.) about the reason for those marks, Imam Sajjad (a.s.) replied:
My father used to carry bags of bread in the night and distribute it among widows, orphans and the poor. Those marks on his back were due to this.
(Manaqeb, vol. 2, p. 222)
Alaili writes in his book: There have been such personalities in history which have left the world amazed through various aspects of their personalities – some through their bravery, some through their piety, some through their generosity but it is only the personality of Imam Husain (a.s.) which is unmatched from all aspects. His personality is a collection of all nobility and greatness.
(Samoo al-Ma’ni page 104)
The one who has inherited the infinite kingdom of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), a mirror of the justice and the bravery of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), who has inherited the splendor, superiority and greatness of Janabe Zahra (s.a.), the one responsible for the grandeur of the peace established by Imam Hasan (a.s.) how can his character and morals not be unrivalled in humanity. It is incumbent on us, the followers of the school of the Ahle Bait of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to consider this noble personality as a role model for all of our actions.
We send a million salutations upon this great personality in the hope that when Allah the Almighty permits his grandson, Imam al-Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) to avenge the blood of Imam Husain (a.s.) from his killers then He may include us among those who assist Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.).