but only a portion of what was rightfully due to him, and ordered(1) that the amount be remitted to the public treasury from his own estate, which he had acquired through his shares in the military campaigns and distributions of spoils with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

This, then, is detachment from pleasures and wealth: no Companion—neither Ali nor anyone else—came close to him(2) in this respect, with the possible exception of Abū Dharr(3) and Abū Ubayda, one of the earliest Emigrants. Both continued upon the same course they had been following when they parted from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

In this detachment, Abū Bakr was indeed followed(4) by Umar(5), who surpassed Ali in that regard—that is, in turning away from wealth and pleasures.

As for Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, he enjoyed lawful wealth in abundance. He died leaving four wives and nineteen slave women who had borne him children, apart from his servants and other slaves. At his death, he also left twenty-four children, sons and daughters alike, and bequeathed them enough property and estates to place them among the rich and prosperous of their people.

This is a well-known matter that no one with even the slightest knowledge of historical reports and traditions can deny. Among his properties was Yanbu(6), which he gave in charity; it yielded one thousand wasqs of dates, besides the produce of its cultivated fields. What comparison is there between the two?!

As for love of one’s children(7), and partiality toward them and one’s retinue, the matter is far too evident to