The infallible Imams (peace be upon them) were always submissive and obedient to the commands and desires of Allah throughout their lives. Although they possessed supernatural powers granted by Allah, they did not use these divine blessings in all matters of life, unless Allah Almighty granted them permission. In this regard, a beautiful story about Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) is narrated by Zuhri:
I was in the presence of Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him). One of his companions entered, and the Imam inquired about his condition. The man replied, “Master, I am currently in debt of four hundred dinars, and I have no means to repay it. I also have a family to support, and I cannot provide for them.”
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) wept intensely. I asked, “Master, why are you crying?” He replied, “Isn’t crying for great hardships and afflictions?” I said, “Yes, indeed.” He continued, “What greater affliction is there than seeing a free believer, a brother, in distress and being unable to help him or witnessing him suffer poverty and hardship without being able to resolve it?”
Zuhri said: The companions of the Imam dispersed. Some of the opponents whispered to one another, “How strange it is that this family claims that everything in the heavens and earth is obedient to them, and that Allah never rejects their requests, yet they admit they cannot relieve the distress of their close companions.”
These words reached the indebted man. He came to Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) and said, “So and so have said this. Their words about you trouble me more than my poverty.” Imam (peace be upon him) replied, “Allah has allowed relief for you.” He then turned to his servant and said, “Bring me my iftar and suhoor.” Imam then said to him, “Take these two loaves of bread, for there is nothing else here. With these two loaves of bread, Allah will open a way for you and bring you abundant good.”
The man took the bread and went to the market. At times, Satan would tempt him, wondering how these two loaves of bread could bring relief. On his way, he encountered a fishmonger who had an unsold fish. He said, “This fish has remained with you, and this loaf of bread is with me. Would you be willing to exchange the fish for the bread?” The fishmonger agreed. As he continued, he met a man selling inferior salt. He said, “Would you like to exchange your poor-quality salt for this dry bread?” The man agreed. The man brought the fish and salt home. When he cut open the fish, he found two pearls inside. He praised Allah.
While he was joyful and content, suddenly there was a knock at the door. He saw the fishmonger and the salt seller standing at the door. They said, “We tried to eat this bread, but our teeth couldn’t penetrate it. We thought you were in great distress, so we brought the bread for you and returned what we had received in exchange.” At that moment, the messenger of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) arrived and said, “Your master says you have received your wish. Now, return our bread, for no one but us can eat it.”
The man sold the pearls, repaid his debt, and his financial situation improved. Some of the opponents remarked, “How contradictory it is that Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) claims he cannot relieve the distress of his friend, yet he is seen as possessing great wealth.”
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) said, “The Quraysh used to say the same about the Prophet: How could he travel to Jerusalem in one night and witness the signs of the Prophets, while it takes twelve nights to travel from Mecca to Medina?”
[To elaborate further, Imam (peace be upon him) describes the divine powers of the infallibles in carrying out matters:] “They are unaware of God’s work and the work of His saints. One cannot reach lofty positions except through submission to Allah, refraining from expressing one’s opinion before Him, and being content with what Allah has decreed for His servants. The saints of Allah endure hardships and afflictions in such a way that no one can match their patience, and in return for their patience, Allah grants them all their desires. However, they only seek what Allah has willed for them.”[1]
(Source: Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 46, by the late Allama Majlisi, with some additions)[2]
Footnotes:
[1] Amali by Shaykh Saduq, p. 453
[2] The above text is adapted from the Persian translation of Bihar al-Anwar, Volume 46 titled “The Lives of Imam Sajad and Imam Muhammad Baqir” by Mousa Khosravi.