The moment people took oath of an allegiance at his hand and accepted his caliphate he climbed the pulpit and tribune and addressed them, "By God till the time I possess even one single palm date tree in Medinah. I will not take anything from the Baitul Mal (Islamic treasury).
His brother Aqeel stood up and said, "Do you take me equal to a black skinned living in Medinah?"
He said, "Oh brother sit down, you do not have any superiority over that black man except through faith and piety."
One summer night his brother Aqeel invited him to dinner at his house so that he may attract the attention of his brother towards himself and he increases his monthly stipend.
He said, "Oh brother from where did you procure and provide this dinner."
He replied "For a few days, I and my wife spent lesser amount of money thus saved the surplus money to invite you to dinner."
He said, "From tomorrow onwards I would issue an order that your monthly salary may be curtailed and decreased to the equal of the amount that you saved because, you can, as per your own confession, spend lesser than that."
Aqeel was very much perturbed and annoyed and he started shouting appealingly. Imam Ali (AS) picked up a piece of iron lying near him heated it up (on a nearby lamp) and took it near his hand.
Aqeel cried, "Oh I am burnt."
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) said, "What a surprise that you are so much afraid and cry of a fire which is provided by me alone. How are you prepared to get me burnt in the fire of God's anger? These are the money and property of the people and I am the trustee and custodian of them."
Again, we observe that a group of the officials objected up on him and said, "Had you given a larger contribution and portion to the rebellious and the governors, you could run and manage the newly established Islamic government in a better way. Then, you might have ruled with authority and justice.
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) replied, "What a surprise you want me to lay the foundations of my government, which is formed in the name of Islam, upon the pillars of excess and injustice? By God, I will definitely never do such a work."
Moreover, had the Muslim's money and property been my own property I would not have done this thing still less all of it belongs to the people and I am not more than a trustee.
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