IMAM SAJJAD'S ENCOUNTER WITH HIS CLOSE RELATIVE

Jan 5, '13 12:27 PM for everyone

One day a close relative of Imam al-Sajjad (as) abused him in public. He spoke bad words to him and then left but the Imam (as) did not utter any word against him.

As soon as the man left, Imam (as) turned towards the people who were present there and had witnessed what had just transpired, and said, “Whatever this man said to me, you all heard it. I would now want you to accompany me to him so that you hear what I have to tell him”.

The people thought that Imam al-Sajjad (as) would seek revenge. But as they accompanied him towards the house of the man who had abused him, they heard the Imam (as) reciting the following verse:

“…And those who suppress their anger, and excuse (the faults of) the people and Allah loves the virtuous”. (3:134)

The people instantly realized that the Imam (as) was not in mood of seeking any revenge. When they all reached the house of the man, Imam (as) called him by his name and asked him to come out of his house, which he did. Then the Imam (as) said,

“Brother! Just now you spoke ill of me. If whatever you spoke is true then I seek forgiveness from Allah; and if whatever you spoke is untrue then I pray to Allah to forgive you”.

Hearing this, the man was extremely ashamed. He came forward and kissing the forehead of Imam al-Sajjad (as), said, “Forgive me O Son of the Prophet! Indeed whatever I spoke about you is not true”. (Quran-o-‘Itrat)

Abdullah Wafe’ani has reported that Imam Zaynul-‘Aabideen (as) used to give sugar and almonds in alms and charity. Once somebody asked him the reason for this, and the Imam (as) recited the following verse in reply:

“You will never attain piety until you spend out of what you hold dear…” (3:92)

This shows that the Imam (as) was very fond of the two items, which he (as) gave away in alms.