IMAM ALI (AS) AND THE CANDLE
A candle burnt by his side, as he sat down meticulously recording all the revenue and the expenses of the treasury.
Just then Talha and Zubair appeared.
They aspired to some positions of authority in Imam Alis (A.S.) rule and had come to strike a deal. If Imam Alis (A.S.) gave them a place of distinction, they would in turn pledge their full support. Imam Alis (A.S.) knew of this.
Just as they sat down, Imam Alis (A.S.) puts out the candle and lit another one.
Talha and Zubair exchanged a glance of surprise and then one of them said:
"O Ali, we have come on some important business. But why did you extinguish the first candle?" Imam Alis (A.S.) replied: "That was a candle bought of Treasury funds. As long as I worked for the Treasury, I used it. Now you have come for some personal work, so I use the candle bought of my personal fund."
Talha and Zubair left him without saying another word.
