Letter (45)
When the news reached Hazrat that the governor of Basra, Uthman Ibn Hanif, had been invited to a meal by the people there and that he had participated in it, he wrote to him:
O Ibn Hanif! I have been informed that one of the young men of Basra invited you to eat and you arrived in a hurry, that colorful and delicious food was being brought to you in a selection, and big bowls were being moved towards you. If there is any doubt about it, leave it and eat it from the food which you are sure to have obtained in a pure and pure way.
This letter was written during the early period of Hazrat Ali’s caliphate when the political situation in Basra was quite tumultuous. The people there were divided among various tribes and political factions. Hazrat Ali aimed to establish a social order based on justice and equality during his rule. In this letter, he advises Uthman Ibn Hanif not to partake in such invitations where the poor are overlooked while the wealthy are invited.
A significant point in the letter is Hazrat Ali’s emphasis on his own simplicity and contentment. He presents himself as being satisfied with two old sheets and two loaves of bread, symbolizing that he does not chase after worldly possessions. This conveys a vital message that we should focus on piety and righteousness rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world.
Another important theme in this letter is that every person has a leader whom they follow. Hazrat Ali clarifies that the standard of living of a leader should serve as an example for their followers. He reminds Uthman Ibn Hanif that if he indulges in worldly pleasures, his followers will likely follow suit.
Moreover, Hazrat Ali warns against the deceptions of the world. He characterizes the world as a deceitful entity, asserting that those who pursue it ultimately face failure.
Overall, this letter serves as a moral lesson that teaches us to distance ourselves from worldly pleasures, embrace simplicity, and lead our lives based on piety and righteousness.
