Similarly respect for scholars who practice what they preach...

Similarly respect for scholars who practice what they preach and Sadāt etc must be more than respect for other people. The leaders of the community must be paid more respect than commoners. Actions which are appropriate with the parents and scholars etc, like kissing of their hands, are not to be practiced with other people. It is narrated in Safinat’ul-Bihār from Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) that one day a religious person from among his companions visited Amir ul-Mu’minīn ‘Ali (a.s.) with his son.

‘Ali (a.s.) stood up and accorded great respect to him and ordered Qamber to arrange for dinner for them. They ate together, then Qamber brought a pot of water and a towel to wash their hands. ‘Ali (a.s.) picked up the water pot and wanted to wash the hands of the guest when he protested. How is it possible for a slave to allow his master to serve him? ‘Ali (a.s.) asked, “What if by washing hands my Lord and master will be pleased with me?

You wash your hands as if Qambar is pouring out water for you.” These words compelled the companion to have his hands washed and ‘Ali (a.s.) poured out water for him. After this ‘Ali (a.s.) gave the water pot to his son Muhammad bin Hanafiyya and told him to pour out water for the son, so that the status of the father and the son is not made equal. He (a.s.) said: “If the father had not come with the son I myself would have poured water on his hands.

But could not do so in the presence of the father.” If Amir ul-Mu’minīn (a.s.) had washed the hands of the son himself, the status of the father and son would have been equal. But ‘Ali (a.s.) upheld the dignity of the father by not washing the hands of his son after he had washed the hands of the father. Signs of Humility A humble person will not mind sitting behind everyone in a gathering. He will be the one to initiate salutations.

He will give up arguments and squabbles even if he is in the right. He will not like to be praised for his piety. ^2 Amir ul-Mu’minīn ‘Ali (a.s.) says in his bequest: “It is necessary that you make humility a habit because it is one of the greatest worship acts.” ^3 It is mentioned in Safinat’ul-Bihār that after every ritual prayer, Mūsa Ibn Imran used to touch both his cheeks on the ground with utmost humility before the Almighty Allah.

Due to this the Almighty Allah (S.w.T.) gave him the status of Kalimullah (One with whom Allah spoke).