Features of Pure Individuals as Described by Imam Ali
In a series of sessions, Emad Afroogh tries to introduce the thoughts of Imam Ali (AS). In the 19th session, he talks about traits of pure people. Here is a summary of his remarks:
In sermon 32 of Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (AS) names feature of pure individuals as he says: “Then there remain a few people in whose case the remembrance of their return (to Allah on Doomsday) keeps their eyes bent, and the fear of Resurrection moves their tears. Some of them are scared away (from the world) and dispersed; some are frightened and subdued; some are quiet as if muzzled; some are praying sincerely, some are grief-stricken and pain-ridden whom fear has confined to namelessness and disgrace has shrouded them, so they are in (the sea of) bitter water, their mouths are closed and their hearts are bruised.”
“The world in your eyes should be smaller than the bark of acacia and the clippings of wool. Seek instruction from those who preceded you before those who follow you take instruction from you, and keep aloof from it realizing its evil because it cuts off even from those who were more attached to it than you,” reads the book.
Also in sermon 113, Imam Ali (AS) adds another description for this group: “Surely the hearts of the abstemious weep in this world even though they may (apparently) laugh, and their grief increases even though they may appear happy. Their struggle with their Nafs is much even though they may be envied for the subsistence they are allowed.”
Some people think that the apparent calmness of believers shows their inner peace. These people should be reminded that happiness and sorrow come together. This is a world of contradictions. Believers also feel anxiety but not as a result of lack of belief in God. They suffer from pains of not just how to get closer to God but also pains of others.
