Forgiveness Of Imam Ali Naqi (a.s)

Mutawakkil the Abbaside tyrant caliph was always trying to find means to discredit the Imam. One day while his court was in session he told Ibn Sikkit to ask the Imam such a question in the presence of all the people that he cannot reply. Ibn Sikkit posed many questions to the Imam one after another. The Imam replied to all the questions, but since Ibn Sikkit had other intentions he remained unrelenting and continued to say that the Imam has not replied to him satisfactorily. Along with this he passed some unbecoming remarks about the Imam. The Imam observed forbearance. One day Mutawakkil asked Ibn Sikkit a question that he could not answer. Mutawakkil was greatly displeased with him and he said, “I used to consider you a great scholar but it seems you are an ignorant fellow. If you cannot furnish a satisfactory reply within three days I would stop your stipend. Ibn Sikkit was much troubled. He came to the Imam (a.s) and said, “O son of Allah’s Messenger! For the sake of Allah, forgive me the nasty way I behaved with you that day. And tell me the solution to this problem.” The Imam forgave him and also told him the correct solution. Reference :Akhlaq al-A’imma, Morals & Manners of the Holy Imams