In a battle ‘Alī confronted a powerful enemy and after a…
““In a battle ‘Alī confronted a powerful enemy and after a fierce fight was able to throw the enemy to the ground and sit on his chest with his sword drawn. At this moment the enemy warrior spat in ‘Alī’s face, whereupon ‘Alī immediately disengaged himself and abstained from delivering a blow with his sword. The enemy warrior, who was an idol worshipper, had never seen such an event. He became agitated and asked ‘Alī why he had not killed him. The response of ‘Alī, which in the verses of the Mathnawī constitutes one of the masterpieces of Sufi poetry, was that ‘Alī was fighting at first for the preservation of the Truth, but once the enemy warrior spat in his face ‘Alī became angry, and he would never react on the basis of anger and certainly not get into a battle or slay someone for personal or selfish reasons. In Rūmī’s words, ‘Alī responded: Said he, “I wield the sword for the sake of the Truth, I am the servant of the Truth not the functionary of the body. I am the lion of the Truth, not the lion of passions, My action does witness bear to my religion.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
‘Alī’s restraint shows that true devotion to truth transcends personal anger, rejecting violence for selfish reasons.
In simple terms: ‘Alī chooses truth over revenge.
Key Takeaway
Follow truth, not anger.
Themes
spirituality
ethics
self‑control
truth
non‑violence
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
serene
Type
spiritual
ethical
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
- leadership training
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Sufi mysticism
moral philosophy
inner discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- What does restraint teach about moral leadership?
- How can truth guide actions in anger?
A Different Perspective
May be idealistic in real combat.