238 — Ali ibn al-Jad narrated to us. He said: Abū Yūsuf narrated to us, from Muhammad ibn Ubayd Allāh, from Abū al-Hasan, from Abū al-Muthannā, who said: A man came before Ali—may Allah be pleased with him—bringing a dispute against his father. He said:

[hazaj meter]

“O judge, this man
Is truly my father.
He came to me in need,
Yet never was I undutiful to him.
I gave him wealth with kindness
And never treated him rashly.
Then, when my wealth had dwindled—
Though I had shown him kindness—
He turned away and shunned me,
And has yet to give me my due.”

Ali—may Allah be pleased with him—asked, “What do you say to this claim made by your son?” The father replied:

[rajaz meter]

“My son has said what you have heard, so believe him.
I raised him from childhood, pampering him.
At times I would ransom him with myself, and at times delight him,
Until he grew to manhood and the parting of his hair was set straight.
He lent me money, and I spent it;
I did not seek thereby to deprive him of his wealth.
Were it not for his youth and his impetuousness—
Pronounce your judgment; Allah, my Lord, will provide for him.”

The Commander of the Faithful, Ali—may Allah be pleased with him—said:

[rajaz meter]

“The judge has heard, and understanding comes from Allah.
The wealth belongs to the old man, in recompense for his favors;
For those favors were given in advance by virtue of his earlier beneficence.
Whoever says otherwise has committed an injustice,
Departed from justice in judgment—and wretched is his ruling.”