Personalities

Qambar was also one of those brave men who secured a high position through the influence of the spiritual power of the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali.

He was not afraid of telling the truth and following the right path. Though from the viewpoint of the worldly people he was apparently no more than a slave, he spiritually secured such a high position that he became a confidant of Imam Ali.

The powerful and piercing words with which this man of iron will replied to Hajjaj bin Yusuf, the bloodthirsty sadist, are well-known:

Once Hajjaj said "Qambar! What were your duties when you were in the service of Ali?" Qambar "I used to bring him water for ablution". Hajjaj "On finishing ablution, what did he use to say?" Qambar "He used to recite this verse of the Qur'an

When they forgot Our admonition, We opened to them the gates of everything they desired; but just as they were rejoicing in what they were given, We seized them unawares with the result that they were left confused. Thus the last remnant of the people who did wrong was cut off. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds". (Surah al-An'am, 6:44—45)

Hajjaj "I think that he applied this verse to us".

Yes", said Qambar boldly.

Hajjaj: "If I put you to death, what will you do?"

Qambar "I shall be lucky and you will be unlucky".

Hajjaj "Confess that you no longer acknowledge Ali to be your master".

Qambar "If I renounce his way, can you show me a better way? "

Hajjaj did not answer this question, and said "In any case I am going to put you to death. Now tell me how you would like to be killed".

Qambar "I leave that choice to you". Hajjaj "Why ? "

Qambar "The way you will kill me, the same way I'll kill you in the next world. Ali, my master told me that I'd be beheaded unjustly".

So Hajjaj ordered him to be beheaded.

Indeed, if a man obeys Allah, the Holy Prophet and his Ahl al-Bayt, he can have spiritual and esoteric guidance even today and can tread the path of perfection and proximity. For him then, there shall be no fear nor grief for because he will be a Muslim perfectly spiritual and divine.

The Holy Qur'an declares

As for those who say that our Lord is Allah and then they remain firm in their faith, the angels will descend on them saying: Neither be afraid nor be grieved ". (Surah al-Fussilat, 41: 30)

Adapted from: "Master and Mastership"