In the traditional report of
Imam Ali’s (a.s.) meeting with Greek physician, it is mentioned that the doctor
said to Imam Ali (a.s.): “Your complexion is yellow and your shanks are thin.
Don’t lift heavy weight as there is a risk you would break your legs. I have
some medicine which would cure your yellowness. But you would get fever for
forty days and after that you will recover.
I am also having a medicine,
which is a poison for one whose complexion is not yellow; if he consumes even a
grain of it, he would die.”
Imam (a.s.) said: “Give me the poisonous medicine.” He took it and swallowed
whole of it at one go and his complexion changed into the best possible one.
Then he (a.s.) said:
“As for what you said
that I should not lift a heavy weight. What can you see?”
He saw His Eminence place his
hand on a huge pillar bearing a two storey house and lift it. He was shocked at
this sight and swooned. They sprinkled water upon him and he regained
consciousness.
The physician asked: “Was
Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) also like you?” His Eminence replied: “All
my knowledge, intellect and capacity is from him and on his behalf.”
Then His Eminence said:
“A man from the
Thaqif tribe came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and said: I have come to treat
you. If you are insane, I would cure you.”
His Eminence said: “If you
want, I will show you a sign (from power of God) so that you understand that I
am definitely not needful of you and it is you, who is needful to me. “Yes,” he
said.
His Eminence said: “Ask whatever you like.” He said: “Order that date palm to
come to you.” His Eminence ordered that tree to come to him. Suddenly the
Thaqafi man saw that tree move from its place splitting the ground all along
and stand near His Eminence.
He asked: “Does this
suffice?” He (a.s.) replied: “Order it to return to its
place.” The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ordered: “O tree,
go back to your place.” He saw it return.
The Greek physician said: “O
Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), what you said was heard and I have not seen it. But I
request something less from you. I stand on one side. You order that I come to
your side. I will try my best not to come there. If you can bring me to
yourself without my will, I will know that your religion is true.”
His Eminence said:
“This would be only a
miracle for you, because you will understand that you have come to me against
your will. It is possible that later you or others may claim that you came to
me with your will. Ask for something which might be sign for yourself as well
as others.”
He said: “Since you have left
it to me, I request you to command this date palm that its parts scatter and after
that order it to come together once more.”
Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) said:
“You go to that tree
on my behalf and say: O tree, successor of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) orders that your
parts should disperse.”
He went and conveyed the
Imam’s command. Suddenly that tree scattered into bits and pieces and no trace
of it remained. As if there was no tree over there.
The physician said: “My first
request is fulfilled. Now, fulfill my second request as well.”
His Eminence said:
“Go and say: “O
scattered parts (of the tree), Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) orders you to come
together and assume your previous form.”
He went and delivered the
message of His Eminence. The scattered portions came together to regain its
former shape.
The physician said: “I want
it to become green and put forth fruits, so that I and other people here eat
from it.”
His Eminence said:
“Go back and command
the tree on my behalf.”
He went and delivered the
message and the tree turned green and performed its ordinary process in a
second and put forth fruits, which they consumed. So, the Greek physician
embraced faith.
(Isbaatul Wilayah of Ayatullah Haaj Shaykh Ali Namazi
Shahroodi (r.a.) Section Nine: Obedience of trees and plants to the Prophet and
Imams (a.s.), Behaarul Anwaar, vol.
17, p. 314; vol. 42, p. 47)
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