Al-Majlisi...

Al-Majlisi, quoting Fural Ibn Ibrahim's interpretation of The Holy

Quran in his book Al- Bihar, said: 'Abu Saeed al-Khudari said: One

morning Ali Ibn Abu Talib woke up very hungry and said: 'Fatima, do

She answered: `No, by Him who honored father with Prophethood,

and honored you with successorship, we have nothing edible this

morning, and we haven't had any food for two days save that which I

have preferred to give you and our two children, Hassan and Hussain.'

Ali (A) said: 'Fatima! Why didn't you tell me, so I could bring some food

Fatima answered: 'Abu Al-Hassan, I surely become ashamed before

my God to ask you to do something you cannot do.'

At this, Ali Ibn Abu Talib left Fatima, with full trust that Allah would help

him. He borrowed a dinar, and while he was holding the dinar and

trying to buy some food for his family, he came upon Miqdad Ibn Al

The sun had burnt Al-Miqdad's face and feet on that exceptionally hot

day. When Ali (A) saw him, he exclaimed surprisingly:

`Miqdad, what brings you out of your home at this hour?'

Miqdad answered: 'Abu Al-Hassan, ask me not about what I have left

Ali (A) said: `My brother, I cannot leave you without knowing your

Miqdad then said: 'Abu Al-Hassan, for Allah's sake and your sake

leave me alone, and do not ask about my condition!!'

Imam Ali said: `My brother, you should not hide your condition from

Miqdad replied: 'Abu Al-Hassan, now that you insist, by Him who

honored Muhammad with Prophethood and honored you with

successorship, nothing forced me out of my house save poverty. I left

my children starving; when I heard their cries, there remained no place

for me on earth-I have come out of my house in depression; this is my

Imam Ali (A) cried when he heard the story; he cried until his beard

was wet from tears and said: `By Allah, that which forced you out of

your house and also forced me out of my house; I borrowed a dinar,

When Imam Ali (A) had given the dinar to Miqdad, he went to the

Mosque and performed his Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon) and Maghrib

(evening) prayers. When the Messenger of Allah had completed his