One very well known astrologer came to the presence of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) and said, “I am a sooth sayer! I have heard that you too predict about the events of the future! Do you want me to ask you some questions or wish to answer my queries?”
The Imam (as) said, ‘Only Allah knows what is not in our present knowledge and sight! But I know whatever He has taught me! If you have claims of knowing the unknown, tell me what is enclosed in my fist.’ Then Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) put before him his folded fist.
The man thought for a long while. Then Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said, “You are unable to answer!”
The man replied, “This is a very small matter! I was, in fact, wondering, as to how, whatever is in your hand, has come there. In your folded fist there is the nest of a bird and its egg from the peak of a mountain which has never been scaled by any human being! I am really wondering how you have brought it almost in the time needed for the winking of the eye.”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) opened his fist that did contain the egg and the nest! Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) folded his palm once again and asked him, “Now tell me, what is there in my folded fist?”
The astrologer said, “The nest and the egg have been restored to their original place on the peak of the mountain!”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) opened his fist and, there was nothing there!
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) told to the man, “I shall ask you another question, if you agree to reply truthfully!”
The man promised to tell the truth.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) asked, “From where you have learnt your tricks?”
The astrologer said, “This is the first question you have asked, otherwise I wouldn’t have been obliged to reply. This skill is because of a mystic exercise I had undertaken. The exercise is that whatever my base instinct (nafs) desires, I persevere and insist on its fulfillment.
The Imam (as) asked, “What does your nafs say about becoming a Muslim?”
The man refused to reply.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said, “Why didn’t you persevere and insist on becoming a Muslim?”
The man wondered and converted to Islam.
Now Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) asked, “Tell me, what is there in my closed fist?”
The man thought for a long while and was unable to give any reply. He said, “By accepting Islam, I have put myself to great loss. I have lost the faculty that I possessed earlier!”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said, O Person! You have not lost anything! In fact, you have gained! The tazkia nafs (purification of the mind) that you have undergone shall bring you great benefits in this life and the life Hereafter. You will have an august position in the Other World, which I guarantee.