Imam ‘Ali (a.

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) ignored the man and when he had left said to his companions: “You heard what that man said to me, I would like you to come with me to hear my reply to him.” The companions of Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) then said: “We will come with you, although we wanted you or us to say something (an equal response) to him.” The Imam (a.s.) proceeded to the man’s home reciting: “And those who when they commit an indecency or do injustice to their souls remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their faults: and who forgives the faults but Allah, and (who) do not knowingly persist in what the have done.’’ (The Holy Qur’an, 3.134) His companions hearing this concluded that the Imam (a.s.) would say only kind words to the man.

The Imam (a.s.) reached al-Hasan ibn al Muthanna’s house and said: “Tell him this is Ali ibn al-Husayn.” The man heard this and came out prepared for an encounter. He was sure that Imam Sajjad (a.s.) came only to revenge his actions. When al-Hasan al-Muthanna appeared, Imam Sajjad (a.s.) said: “My Brother, you have come to me and have said somethings. If you have said that which truly lies in me, I seek forgiveness from Allah; and if you have accused me of that which I am innocent, I…