Once, ‘Aqil, the brother of Imam ‘Ali (as), seeking some monetary help, asked the Imam (as) to give him something because he was poor.
The Imam (as) said, “Be patient till I distribute the money amongst the other Muslims for then, I shall give you your share too.”
But when ‘Aqil persisted with his request, the Imam (as) said to a person: “Take ‘Aqil by the hand towards the market and ask him to force open the lock of one of the shops and take away everything from it!”
‘Aqil immediately asked, “You want me to be arrested as a thief?”
“And by giving you money from the public treasury of the Muslims you want me to be looked upon as a thief?” the Imam (as) retorted.
“I shall go to Mua’wiyah,” replied ‘Aqil.
Imam ‘Ali (as) suggested to him to do as he pleased. ‘Aqil went to Mua’wiyah to seek help from him whereupon Mua’wiyah gave him a hundred thousand dirhams and said: “Ascend the pulpit and inform the people as to how ‘Ali (as) behaved with you and how I cooperated with you.”
‘Aqil climbed up the pulpit and, after thanking and praising Allah, said: “O’ People! When I sought from ‘Ali (as) his religion, he abandoned me – his brother, and adhered to his religion. However, when I approached Mua’wiyah, he gave me preference over his religion.” ( Pand-e-Tarikh, Volume 1, Page 180; Al-Sawaiqul Muhriqah )