Imam Ali (a.

Imam Ali (a.s) replied: “I am watching the entering time of al-Salat.” Ibn Abbas with a big surprise replied: “Now! In the middle of the war?!” Imam Ali (a.s) calmly said: “What other than Salat are we fighting them for?!” (5) Having read the above examples can you begin to contemplate that a group of people hold a celebration for the birthday of Imam Ali (a.s), yet there is no Salat included in their program?!

Or some of them are too busy in preparation for food that they miss the congregational prayer?! Can they truly regard Imam Ali (a.s) their Imam?! His Presence of Heart in Salat The presence of the heart means that the heart and attention of the one who offers his prayer are with God during the pray. The presence of the heart is more profound than merely attending to the meaning of the words of Salat although this may be a good start to reach the presence of the heart.

Two she-camels were gifted to the Messenger of God. One was fatter than the other but the other was bigger. The Messenger of God announced to his companions that whoever can offer two Rak’at prayers during which he does not think of any worldly affairs, he would gift one of the she-camels to him. No one nominated himself even after the Prophet repeated his offer three times. Imam Ali (a.s) stood up and said: “I will do that, O Messenger of God.

From the time I recite Allahu-Akbar until when I say my last Tasleem I think of nothing other than God.” The Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.w) asked him to get ready and offer a two Rak`at prayer under the supervision of the Prophet. The challenge began and as soon as Imam Ali (a.s) finished his Salat, the Archangel Gabriel descended to the Prophet and said: “O Muhammad!

Allah greets you and says: give one of the two camels to Ali!” The Prophet said: the condition was that he does not think of other than God, but in his Tashahhud, he thought of which one of the camels he should ask for?! Gabriel said: O Muhammad! Indeed, God greets you and says: Ali was thinking which one would be better for charity. Thus, his thought was for the sake of God not for worldly pleasure. The Messenger of God gifted both she-camels to Ali whilst he had tears in his eyes.

Upon that an Ayah was revealed to him: “Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful. (6)”,(7) The degree of Imam Ali’s presence of heart was so high and strong that in one of the battles a piece of an arrow remained in his foot.