وَبَلَغَ فِي العِبـادَةِ إلَى أَنَّهُ إذَا تَوَجَّـهَ إلَى...

وَبَلَغَ فِي العِبـادَةِ إلَى أَنَّهُ إذَا تَوَجَّـهَ إلَى اللهِ تَعالَى فِي صَـلاتِهِ تَوَجَّهَ بِكُلِّيَّتِهِ Imam Sajjad (a.s) used to perform one thousand Rak’ah prayer, tolerating much hardship. If he was benevolently asked not to tolerate this much hardship, he would say: Have a look at the record of prayer of my grandfather Amir al-Mu’minin. After opening the book and looking like one who was unable to do anything, he would put down the book, saying: Who has the merit of ‘Ali in praying?

What is my prayer as compared to that of my grandfather, ‘Ali.[^2] Imam Musa ibn Jafar has been quoted as saying: The verse “You will see them bowing down, prostrating themselves, seeking grace from Allah and pleasure, their marks are in their faces because of the effect of prostration” (48:29) was revealed in honor and dignity of ‘Ali.[^3] Ibn Abbas has been reported as saying: The verse “And they say: we believe in Allah and in the apostle and we obey” (24:47) was revealed in honor of ‘Ali.[^4] Mujahid has been quoted as saying: The verse “And he who brings the truth and accepts it as truth” (39:33) was revealed in honor of ‘Ali.[^5] Imam Baqir (a.s) has been quoted as saying: The verse “and he who brings the truth” was revealed to the Holy Prophet (S) and “accepts it as truth” was revealed in honor of ‘Ali.[^6] Ibn Abbas has been reported as saying: The verse “and bow down with those who bow down” (2:43) was exclusively revealed in honor of the Holy Prophet and ‘Ali, for they were the first who bowed down.[^7] Imam ‘Ali never abandoned the recommended night prayer even at that most horrible night during Siffin battle, which is called laylat al-harir.

One day, Imam ‘Ali was involved in the battle of Siffin, he was closely watching the sun to see when it passes by the middle of sky so as to be prepared for prayer. Ibn Abbas who had him under watch said: O ‘Ali, why are you looking so much at the sun? The Imam said: To perform prayer. Ibn Abbas said: Is this a proper time for performing prayer? Imam ‘Ali said: O Ibn Abbas! What are we fighting these people for?

Is it not for performing the prayer that we are fighting them?[^8] وَيَنْقَطِعُ نَظَرُهُ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى أنَّهُ لاَ يُدْرِكُ الأَلَمَ لأَنَّ النُّشَّابَ إذَا أُريدَ إخْراجُهُ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ الشَّريفِ يُتْرَكُ حَتَّى يُصَلّي فَإذَا اشْتَغَلَ بِالصَّلاةِ وَأقْبَلَ عَلَى اللهِ تَعالَى أَخْرَجوا الحَديدَ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ.

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