Ibn `Abd al-Barr writes: “`Ali (a.

Ibn `Abd al-Barr writes: “`Ali (a.s) did not allow it to happen that he spent a night and funds remained lying in the bayt al-mal . He used to distribute the funds before nightfall. If some other important thing came in the way, he would keep it for the morrow.”[1] Once the funds arrived when it was already, dusk. He said that the money must be distributed immediately. People said that it was already night and the distribution could be done next morning.

He asked if they were sure that he would be alive until the morning. He added that about death only Allah knows. He insisted on distributing the funds immediately. Torches were lighted and all the money was distributed then and there. The iniquitous distribution of the funds from the bayt al-mal rendered the economy unbalanced. `Ali (a.s) felt the need of changing the system and making the distribution more equitable. He removed the distinction of big and small while distributing the pensions.

The influential persons did not like the change and the affluent opposed it. `Ali (a.s) did not budge a little from his stand that was exactly in accordance with the norms of Islam. Therefore, `Abdullah ibn Abi-Rafi` narrates that when Talhah and al-Zubayr saw that in the distribution of the funds their status was being compromised, they came to `Ali (a.s) and said that `Umar was giving them such and such an amount as pension. They asked him to keep that in mind.

`Ali (a.s) asked them to forget what someone else used to give them. He asked them to tell what the Prophet (a.s) used to give them. At this, they kept mum. When the Imam (a.s) found them quiet, he said whether the Prophet (a.s) was not following the method of equitable distribution of funds. Both the persons affirmed. Then, he asked them tell him whether the Sunnah was more worthy of following than the Sunnah `Umar?

They said that definitely the Sunnah has to be emulated but added that they had the privilege of taking active part in the Prophet’s ghazawat and that they had been close to him. `Ali (a.s) asked them if they had precedence in embracing Islam or him? They agreed that he had the precedence. He asked them if they took more part in jihad than him. They agreed that he took more part. He asked if they were more closely related to the Prophet (a.s) or him.

They affirmed that he was more closely related to the Prophet (a.s) `Ali (a.s) pointed towards a laborer standing there and said that from the fund he took the same share as this person gets!