Sher e Khuda, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib's Work and Generosity

 
Sher e Khuda, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was a hardworking man with a pleasant personality. He worked hard while farming and cultivating orchards. He developed several plots and orchards and then gave them all away for the sake of Allah (SWT).
One day, Sher e Khuda, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) acquired a piece of barren land outside Madinah which he wanted to cultivate. In order to do this, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) decided to dig a well, he chose a suitable place and putting his hopes in the grace of Allah (SWT), he began to dig.
Several days went by, but still there was no sign of any water coming out of the well.
One day, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) picked up a pickaxe, entered the well and using all his strength and energy worked very hard for a while, but still there was no sign of water. Exhausted, he came out of the well, wiped away the sweat of his brow, rested for a while, and then re-entered the well. Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) was swinging the pickaxe with such vigor that the sound of his breathing could be heard all around. After receiving a strong, hard blow with the pickaxe, the ground suddenly split open, and fresh, clear water bubbled up.
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) climbed quickly out of what had now become a wonderful well in the dry desert which would soon turn the ill surrounding area into a lovely orchard. Soon the people gathered around to see it. Each of them was commenting on it.
"What a hard working man is Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as)" one said.
"Since Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) is a good and generous man, Allah (SWT) has been generous to him and given him goodness" said another.
"Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and his descendants have become rich forever" said another.
Some congratulated Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), while some were jealous.
"Bring me a paper and pen" said Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and when they had done so; Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) sat down and wrote: I have endowed this well and the land surrounding it in charity for its income to be used as follows:

• In helping the poor and destitute.
• In helping the travelers far away from their homes.
• In providing the means for the marriages of orphans.
• In providing medical care for the poor.
• In the doing of good works of public benefit.

I have endowed this well in charity so as to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT) and the rewards of the Hereafter, and in order to be saved from the of Hell.

Maula-e-Kainat, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and the Astrologer

        
                                       There are some who are heedless with respect to reflection, reasoning and Tawakkul (Absolute Trust), and instead, turn to soothsayers and astrologers, who have cleverly started their business in order to swindle the people of their money.
Of course, the issue of Aulia Allah (Friends of Allah) and those, who have strived towards spiritual purification, differ vastly from the others, for their words are light (nur) and if, at times, they were to say something to someone, it would surely occur and hence such personalities should not be compared to the others.
As an example, we shall present an incident that transpired during the time of Maula Ali (as). Ameer al-Momineen, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) and his army had started out for the battle of Nahrawan against the Kharjites (Kharjite means one who rebels against religion), and having reached the city of Madain, they pitched their tents. The next morning, as they were about to commence their journey, an astrologer approached them and said: "My astrological calculations reveal that it is not in your interest to advance in this hour. Commence your journey after three hours and you shall be victorious."
Hearing this, Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) said: "Whoever upholds your words has rejected the Noble Qur'an of Allah (SWT)."
Surely Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the hour, and He sends down the rain and He knows what is in the wombs; and no one knows what he shall earn on the morrow; and no one knows in what land he shall die; surely Allah is Knowing, Aware. Noble Qur'an (31:34)
Moula Ali (as) then asked: "Do you possess knowledge as to which family has taken over the reins of leadership in China?"
The astrologer replied: "I have no knowledge."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) questioned: "What is that star, which when rises, stirs up lust within the camels?"
The astrologer confessed: "I have no idea."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) asked: "The rise of which star stirs up passion within the cats?"
The astrologer said: "I do not know!"
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) asked: "Inform me of the thing that is concealed beneath the hoofs of my horse."
When the astrologer had once again pleaded ignorance, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) said to him: "Within the earth, below the feet of my horse, lies a jar filled with gold coins and beneath which a serpent lies asleep."
When the place was dug up, the people witnessed that the scenario was exactly as it had been described by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as).
Observing this, the astrologer was totally bewildered; Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) took possession of his books, ordered them to be destroyed and then said to him: "The next time you try to attract the people towards yourself by means of astrology; I shall put you behind bars."