” Suddenly they witnessed that the huge boulder had moved away a little...

” Suddenly they witnessed that the huge boulder had moved away a little, faintly brightening up the interior of the cave. The second person spoke out,“O’ Lord! You know that I had a father and a mother, so old that their bodies had bent over due to their excessive age, and that I used to tend to them regularly. One night, having brought them their food, I observed that both of them were asleep.

I passed the entire night near them, the food in hand, without waking them up for fear of disturbing them. O’ Lord! If this deed of mine had been only for the sake of Your pleasure and happiness, open up a way for us and grant us salvation. ” As he completed his speech, the group noticed that the boulder had moved aside a little more. The third person supplicated, “O’ Knower of every hidden and manifest! You know Yourself that I had a worker who used to work for me.

When his term had reached its termination, I handed over to him his wages, but he was not pleased and desired more and, in a state of dissatisfaction and displeasure, he went away. I used his wage to purchase a goat, which I looked after separately and very soon I had a flock in my possession.

After a period of time,the worker again approached me for his wage and I pointed towards the flock of sheep.Initially, he thought I was ridiculing him, but later, realizing my seriousness, took the entireflock and left*.*[^4] O’ Lord!

If this act had been prompted by sincerity and had only been for Your pleasure, deliver us from this quandary.” At this point the entire boulder moved aside from the mouth of the cave and all three emerged from it, joyous and ecstatic, and continued their journey.[^5] Ali on the Chest of Amr A'mr Ibn A’bd Wudd was a warrior who, in battle, was a match for a thousand soldiers.

In the battle of Ahzaab, he challenged the Muslim soldiers to fight him but none possessed the courage to stand up before him till Imam Ali (a.s.) presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa.w) and sought permission to fight him. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said to Ali, “Do realize that this is A'mr Ibn A’bd Wudd*.”* Imam Ali (a.s.) humbly stated, “(And) I am Ali Ibn Abi Talib,”and then proceeded towards the battle-field and stood before A'mr.