( 87 )

THE SECRETS OF ALI'S ATTRACTION

What is the cause of Ali's love and affection in hearts of men? The secret of love has not till today been discovered by anyone. It is not possible to evolve a formula saying that had it happened so this would have been the result and had it happened the other way that would have been the result. However, it has a secret. There is something in the beloved, which attracts the lover and is bewitching for him. The love and attraction in the foregoing chapters has been named as "Ishq". Ali no doubt is the beloved of and coveted by men. Why? and to what end? Why this is exceptional with Ali that he inspires love and allures the souls to himself. Why has he become a perpetual phase and why does he live to eternity? Why do the hearts feel that they are acquainted with him? Why did people not feel that he is dead and it is why that they find him alive?

Admittedly the object of love is not his body because he is not bodily present amongst us and we do not feel him as such. Moreover, love with Ali is not equivalent to hero-worship of all nations. It will be doubtful if we say love with Ali is sequel to love with his human and moral merits and that love with Ali is love with humanity. Doubtless, Ali is an embodiment of a perfect man. It is also correct that man loves great models of human virtue. But let Ali possess all these human merits, let him possess wisdom, knowledge, devotion, sacrifice, humility, decorum, kindness, affection, love for the weak, justice, freedom, independence, regard for humanity, selfless-ness, chivalry, bravery and kindness even towards his enemy; (and according to Maulvi: you are in chivalry, the Lion of Allah; We cannot define what you are in benevolence), generosity, benevolence, and all that Ali had let him have; if he would not have enjoyed the complexion of God, he would not have been so much captivating and inspiring as he is even today.

( 88 )

Ali is loved because he has connection with Divinity. He, impercep­tibly, from the depths of our hearts attracts us towards the Truth and towards determination. And when we say Ali is one of the greatest signs of Allah, it is for the reason that we find in him the manifestation of Truth. Hence men's love for him. In fact what reinforces people's love with Ali is the bondage of love of God hidden in their souls. As the souls are eternal, so is love for Ali. There are so many brilliant points in Ali's personality, but what is always sublime and illuminating is his faith and sincerity, which has blessed him with Divine determination.

Sauda Hamdani is a lady fond of Ali. She in presence of Mo'awiyah paid salutation to Ali and described his merits: "Blessed is the soul who has been hurried and with him justice has been buried. He was so committed to truth that no other heart could do. He was conjoined with faith and belief. Saasaa-b-Sohan Abdi is another devotee of Ali. He is from amongst those who joined Ali's funeral on the fateful night. When they burried Ali and heaped dust on his body, Saasaa put one of his hands on his heart and threw dust on his head with the other, saying, "Death be happy to you! You were born in pious premises. Your perseverance was vigorous, your efforts were marvelous. You had control on your thoughts and your bargain was profitable".

"You have reverted back to your Creator and He has happily welcome you. His angels have rallied around you. You have resided in the proximity of the Prophet. Allah has brought you closer to Himself and has put you in the vicinity of your brother Mustafa. He has made you drink from his cup".

( 89 )

"I wish Allah may grace us to follow you and trace your footsteps. We should keep your fiends to be our friends and your enemies to be our enemies and may be we are resurrected among the company of thy friends".

"You discovered what others could not. You reached where others could not. In the view of thy brother, the Prophet, you have battled. With Allah's Faith you stood fast in a befitting manner upto enforcement of Sunnah, eradication of opposition to it and establishment of Faith. Best salutations to you.

"Through you the Muslims were fortified, their ways became clear and Divine commands were enforced. No single person would ever possess all those merits and charms which you singly possessed. You were responsive to the Prophet's call. You were foremost among others to receive Prophet's approval. You hastened to his assistance. You defended him at the risk of your life. In the moments of dread and horror you assaulted with your sword, The Zulfiqar, and broke the aggressor's spinal cord. You uprooted idolatry and meanness. You dragged the transgressor through sand and blood. May you rest in peace, O the leader of the faithful!"

"You were nearest to the Prophet. You were the first to embrace Islam. You were full of confidence. You were of the firm mind. You were rich in virtue. May God not deprive us of our reward for our missing you. May He not abandon us after you".

"By God! Thy life was key to virtue and lock to vice. Thy death is key to every vice and lock to every virtue. Had the people benefited from you, blessings would have showered on them from heavens. But they preferred the sordid world".

( 90 )

Yes they preferred the sordid world. They could not face justice and Ali's determination. Ultimately rigidity and stagnation came out of the sleeves of such a people and they martyred Ali

Ali is matchless in having such friends and selfless devotees who laid down their lives in the cause of his love and affiliation. They marched even to the gallows. The pages of Islamic history are proud of their blossoming, beautiful and marvelous biographies. Hands of the ignoble criminals like Ziyad, son of unknown, his son Obaidullah, Hajjaj bin Yusuf, Mutawakkil and, above all, Mo'awiyah bin Abi Sufian are soaked to elbow of the blood of such a cream of humanity.