In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

The fruit of trust in Amir Al Mo’mineen Ali (as)

The author of the book “Sharay’ Al Islam” (Laws), a prominent Shi’a scholar, writes in the book “The Virtues of Ali ibn Abi Talib (as)”:

“Ibrahim bin Mehran narrated that there was a merchant in the city of Kufa named Abu Ja’far, who conducted his business in a very commendable manner. His trade was not driven by material motives or the desire to accumulate wealth. Rather, his focus was on pleasing and satisfying God. Whenever one of the descendants of the Prophet’s family (pbut) asked him for a loan, he never made excuses and always gave it. He would instruct his servant, ‘Write that Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) has borrowed such an amount,’ and would leave the record as it was. He continued this practice for a long time until he eventually became bankrupt and lost his capital.

One day, he told his servant, ‘Bring the account book, and erase the names of those debtors who have passed away, but demand repayment from those who are still alive.’ However, even this could not compensate for his losses.

One day, as he was sitting at the door of his house, a man passed by and mockingly said, ‘What happened with the one to whom you always gave loans, and were content with writing his name in your book?’ He was referring to the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as). The merchant was saddened by this reproach and spent the day in sorrow.

That night, he saw the Holy Prophet (sa), along with Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husayn (as) in a dream. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked Imam Hasan (as), ‘Where is your father?’ Imam Hasan (as) replied, ‘He is here, with you.’ Then the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Why do you not repay this man’s loan?’ Imam Ali (as) responded, ‘I have come now to repay him,’ and handed over a white pouch containing a thousand Ashrafis[1], saying, ‘Take this; it is your due. Do not hesitate to accept it! After this, whenever one of my descendants asks you for a loan, give it to them, and you will never be in need again!’

Abu Ja’far awoke and found the pouch in his hand. He took it and showed it to his wife. Initially, she did not believe him and said, ‘If you are using a trick to avoid repaying people’s rights, fear God and stop deceiving!’ The merchant explained his dream to her. His wife then said, ‘If the dream is true, show me the account book.’ When they examined the book, they found that wherever there had been a loan recorded in the name of Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), the amount had disappeared![2]”

[1] . The type of Iranian gold coin that was previously in circulation in Iran and weighed 18 Nokhod (an old Persian weight unit) by the end of the Qajar era, which is equivalent to 3.45 milligrams.[2] . Al-Rawda Fi Fadail Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), by Ibn Shadhan Qomi, , Al-Amin publication, Qom, 1423 AH, First Edition, p. 27.
Islam and Public Donations, by Naser Makarem Shirazi, Compiled and Organized by: Farazmand, Javaher al-Sultan, Nasl-e Javan, Qom, 1383 SH (2004), First Edition, p. 185.