abdulhakeem
27-10-03, 09:46 PM
When Ali had bcome Caliph, he often went through the city in disguise in order to see that everything went well and the people could live in justice and peace. One day he met a woman who carried a heavy water skin. He took it on his own shoulders and carried it for her until they came to a miserable little cottage where several young children were waiting for their mother. They were crying from hunger, but the woman said, "I have nothing to give you, only a drink of water." Ali who had put down the water skin in the meantime asked, "Isn't there anyone to look after you?" "No," the woman said, "My husband died some time ago, and now I am all alone with my children." Ali felt ashamed and went away, his head hanging down.
In the next day he came back and brought a basket with grain, fruits and meat. He looked after the children, while the mother prepared a meal, and then he gave them to eat with his own hands. The woman thanked him warmly and said, "The Caliph should follow your example. He lives in his house quietly, forgetting the widows and orphans who have worked for him." Ali kept quiet.
The next day he came back again, brought food and helped the woman with her work. While he was doing that, a neighbour came in. She saw the strange man, recognized him and said, "Alas, Sister! You are letting the Caliph Ali work for you!?"
At this the woman was deeply scared and wanted to apologize, but Ali said, "No, but I have to apologize because it is my duty as a Caliph to care for your welfare."
In the next day he came back and brought a basket with grain, fruits and meat. He looked after the children, while the mother prepared a meal, and then he gave them to eat with his own hands. The woman thanked him warmly and said, "The Caliph should follow your example. He lives in his house quietly, forgetting the widows and orphans who have worked for him." Ali kept quiet.
The next day he came back again, brought food and helped the woman with her work. While he was doing that, a neighbour came in. She saw the strange man, recognized him and said, "Alas, Sister! You are letting the Caliph Ali work for you!?"
At this the woman was deeply scared and wanted to apologize, but Ali said, "No, but I have to apologize because it is my duty as a Caliph to care for your welfare."