Question 805 - The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 7

Ahmed al-Hasan Response:

Yes, this meaning is narrated from al-Sadiq (peace be upon him). That is, if empowerment and rule are granted to the Qaʾim, he will follow the conduct of Ali (peace be upon him): ‘Hammad ibn Uthman narrated: I was present with Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) when a man said to him, “May Allah set you right. You mentioned that Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) used to wear coarse clothing and a shirt worth four dirhams, and things of that sort, yet we see you wearing new clothing.” He said to him, “Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) wore that at a time when it was not denounced. Were he to wear the like of it today, he would become notorious for it. The best clothing of every age is the clothing of its people. However, when our Qaʾim of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) rises, he will wear the garments of Ali (peace be upon him) and follow the conduct of Ali (peace be upon him).”’ ‘Al-Muʿalla ibn Khunays narrated: One day I said to Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him), “May I be your ransom. I mentioned the family of so-and-so and the comfort in which they live, and I said: if this belonged to you, we would live in it with you.” He said, “Far from it, O Muʿalla! By Allah, if that were so, there would be nothing but managing by night, traveling by day, wearing coarse clothing, and eating rough food. That has been withheld from us. Have you ever seen an injustice that Allah Most High turned into a blessing other than this one?”’ From Abdullah ibn Jammad, from al-Mufaddal, who said: ‘I was with Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) during circumambulation. He looked at me and said, “O Mufaddal, why do I see you troubled and your color changed?” I said to him, “May I be your ransom. I am looking at the Abbasids and at the dominion, authority, and tyranny in their hands. If that belonged to you, we would share it with you.” He said, “O Mufaddal, if that were so, there would be nothing but managing by night, traveling by day, eating rough food, and wearing coarse clothing, after the likeness of the Commander of the Believers (peace be upon him)-or else the Fire. That has been withheld from us, so we have come to eat and drink. Have you ever seen an injustice that Allah made into a blessing like this?”’ Ahmed Alhasan