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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Anecdotes From the Lives of the 14 Ma’sumeen Imam Ali An-naqi (a) Once in the time of our 10th Imam, Imam Ali an-Naqi (A), a lady came to the Khalifa, Mutawakkil and said that she was Zainab (A), the daughter of Fatimah (A), the daughter of the Prophet (S). Mutawakkil told her that this could not be true because many years had passed since the time when Zainab (A) was alive, and the lady looked very young.

The lady answered that she was Zainab (A) and that she looked young because the Prophet (S) had passed his hand over her head and prayed for her to remain young for ever. Mutawakkil did not know what to do so he called all the wise men and asked them. All of them said that the ladywas lying, but how were they to prove this. No-one could think of anyway to prove that the lady was lying, so then Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) was called.

Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) told Mutawakkil to put the lady into a cage of lions and if what she said was true, then the lions would not harm her, because the wild animals do not hurt the children of Fatimah (A). The lady said that Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) wanted to kill her and that if what he said was true then let him go into the cage first. Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) agreed and went into a cage of lions. The lions did not harm Imam (A) instead they caressed him.

Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) then came out and told the lady that now it was her turn. The lady began to cry and said that she was sorry and that she did not mean to lie, it was only a joke. Moral: You should never lie (even as a joke) as you will get caught. If you do get away with it and no-one finds out remember that Allah knows and He is the one you have to go back to for your reward or punishment. Our 10th Imam, Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) became an Imam at the age of only 8 years old.

Imam Ali an-Naqi (A) when young, was forced to go to a famous old poet named Junaydi to be tutored. Junaydi was a very clever man but hated the Ahlul-bayt. The king at the time forced Imam (A) to go to Junaydi so that anything that the Imam (A) said or did in his life would be according to the teachings that he had received from Junaydi. Even if they were not people would think that they were because he had been taught by him.

After some time had passed the king asked Junaydi how the Imam (A) was doing. To which Junaydi answered that he was no longer the teacher (Imam (A) was), but a student, and that he now understood what knowledge really was.