Forbearance Of Imam Ali (a.s)

Ghazzali has written in Ihyail Uloom that one day the Imam called for his slave. He did not reply. He called him two or three times but he still did not reply. The Imam arose from his place and saw that he was sleeping. He asked him, “O boy! Did you not hear my call?” “Yes, I heard it.” “The why didn’t you reply?” “Because I was fearless of your punishment,” he replied. The Imam said, “Go! I free you for the sake of Allah.” Reference :Akhlaq al-A’imma, Morals & Manners of the Holy Imams