Qualities of Imam Hussein (A.S) : FORBEARANCE

Forbearance was one of the highest quality of the father of the Martyrs and the most prominent characteristic of His Eminence. According to narrators he did not have any kind of unfavorable habits and he never misbehaved with any badly- behaved person. Rather he dealt with utmost goodness and pleasing manners. In this matter he used to tread the footsteps of his honorable grandfather His Eminence, the Messenger of Allah (s) whose lofty morals and virtues had won the hearts of all. His Eminence was distinguished by this quality and his fame spread wide to such an extent that even some of his slaves took undue advantage of these qualities, and they intentionally misbehaved with him so that they may be recompensed with goodness and favor!

Historians say: A slave of His Eminence, once committed a grave mistake which made him liable to punishment and His Eminence (‘a) ordered that he be punished. The slave pleaded with him saying: My Lord! The Almighty Allah says: “Those who swallow their anger.”

The Holy Imam (‘a) turned to him smiling and said, “Release him! I have swallowed my anger.”

The slave said at once, “And the forgivers of men.”

His Eminence said, “I have forgiven him.”

At that time the slave pleaded for more favor and said, “And Allah likes those who do good.”

His Eminence said, “You are freed for the sake of Allah.”

Then His Eminence ordered that a valuable gift be given to him so that he no longer remains dependant on others.[2]

These lofty manners were of the principles of the life of His Eminence, which did not separate from him throughout his life.


REF:
[1] Al-Isabah 2/222
[2] Al Husain (a.s.) 1/137


WITH THANKS FROM
The life of Imam Husain ('a)
Author: Baqir Sharif al-Qarashi
Translator: Sayyid Athar Husain S.H. Rizvi
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications