Imam Ali (a.s.) and The Astrologer

 

There are some who are heedless with respect to reflection, reasoning and tawakkul, and instead, turn to soothsayers and astrologers, who have cleverly started their business in order to swindle the people of their money.8 As an example, we shall present an incident that transpired during the time of Imam ‘Ali (‘a).

The Commander of the Faithfuls (‘a) and his army had started out for the battle of Nahrawan against the Kharjites, 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, the Imam (‘a) said: “Whoever upholds your words has rejected the Qur’an of Allah.”

He (‘a) 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.”

The Imam (‘a) questioned: “What is that star, which when rises, stirs up lust within the camels?”

The astrologer confessed: “I have no idea.”

The Imam (‘a) asked: “The rise of which star stirs up passion within the cats?”

He said: “I do not know!”

He (‘a) asked: “Inform me of the thing that is concealed beneath the hoofs of my horse.”

When the astrologer had once again pleaded ignorance, the Imam (‘a) 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 the Imam (‘a).

Observing this, the astrologer was totally bewildered; the Imam (‘a) 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.”

The Wise Persons

 

Every thing is recognized by means of its attributes and effects; sagaciousness and intelligence of a person become manifest by means of his words and deeds.

Bahlool (d. 190 A.H.), despite the fact that his father was the uncle of Haroon al-Rashid, exhibited himself as a lunatic in order to abstain himself from accepting the post of judge and issuing the death sentence for the seventh Imam (‘a).

One of the most evident examples of his ration and intellect was the incident of his entry into the class of Abu Hanifah - one of the Sunnite leaders.

Once, as he happened to pass by the class Abu Hanifah, he heard him say: “Ja’far Ibn Muhammad (‘a) has said to his students three things, which I do not approve of.

He (‘a) has said: “Satan shall be chastised in the fire of Hell.” But how can he be punished by means of fire when he has himself been created out of fire?

He (‘a) also says: “Allah cannot be seen”, whereas every entity can be perceived by means of vision.

He (‘a) also says: “Man, in performing his actions, is free and has a choice”, whereas, in reality, Allah is the Creator and His servants have no discretion and freedom.

Having heard this from Abu Hanifah, Bahlool picked up a clod of earth and hit him on the head, injuring him and prompting lamentations from him.

His students rushed towards Bahlool and seizing him, presented him before the caliph.

Abu Hanifah said to the caliph: “Bahlool has struck me with a clod of earth and injured me.”
Bahlool retorted: “If he speaks the truth ask him to show the pain.”

Then turning to Abu Hanifah, he said: “Have you not been created from earth? How then can earth harm and injure you? (Besides) What wrong have I done? Are you yourself not of the opinion that it is Allah, who performs all the acts and deeds, and man has no discretion and freedom? Thus, you should register a complaint against Allah and not against me.”

Abu Hanifah, having received the answers to his objections, withdrew his complaint and went his way.”

Source: Qamus al-Rijal, vol. 2, pg. 252.