The story of a Jewish man spitting on ʿAlī’s face
The story of a Jewish man spitting on ʿAlī’s face is not found in the primary sources of Islamic history, such as the Hadith and the sīrah literature. It is a later legend that appears in some Sufi and mystical writings, such as Rumi’s Masnavi. The authenticity of this story is disputed by some scholars, who argue that it contradicts other historical accounts of ʿAlī’s battles and character.
The story is meant to illustrate ʿAlī’s high moral character and self-control, as well as his adherence to the principle of fighting only for the sake of God, not for personal revenge or anger. It also shows his compassion and forgiveness towards his enemies, even those who insulted him.
Here are the verses from Rumi's Masnavi that mention the incident of a Jewish man spitting on ʿAlī's face. I have translated them from Persian into English for you.
Learn how to act sincerely from ʿAlī
God's lion, free from all impurity:
During a battle, he subdued a foe
Then drew his sword to deal the final blow.
That man spat in ʿAlī's pure face, the pride
Of every saint and prophet far and wide
The moon prostrates itself before this face
At which he spat — this act was a disgrace!
ʿAlī put down his saber straight away
And, though he was on top, he stopped the fray.
The fighter was astonished by this act,
That he showed mercy though he'd been attacked.
He said, "O generous prince, what is the cause
That you have shunned to kill me by God's laws?
You had the upper hand and victory,
Why did you spare me who's your enemy?"
He said, "I wield my sword for God alone,
I am the servant of the Lord, not my own.
I am like a shadow in His sun,
What He wills I do, what He shuns I shun.
I am God's lion, not the one of passion,
My actions testify to my religion.
When you spat in my face in your condition,
My selfish ego rose in opposition.
That egoistic anger bid me kill
And stain my sword with blood against His will.
I will not fight for ego or for fame,
I fight for God and for His holy name.
So now that you have seen my selflessness,
Know that there is a God who loves and blesses.
He is the source of every noble trait,
He is the one who makes men good and great.
This story may not be true because it does not match the reliable sources of Islamic history that describe ʿAlī's life and wars. There is no evidence that ʿAlī ever fought a Jewish man in a duel or that he spared anyone who spat on his face. This story does not fit ʿAlī's personality, because he was known to be brave and decisive in battle, not hesitant or lenient. This story was made up by later writers who wanted to show ʿAlī as a model of Sufi ethics and spirituality.
Quran verses, Hadiths of the prophet do not tell us to leave an enemy in the battlefield. However, they do tell us to be just and merciful in war, and to avoid killing anyone except those who fight against us. For example, Allah says in the Quran:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
- "And fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors." (Quran 2:190)
وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
- "And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing." (Quran 8:61)
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۗ ذٰلِكُمْ وَصّٰاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُون
- "And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason." (Quran 6:151)
These verses teach us that we should only fight for the sake of Allah and for a just cause, and that we should not exceed the limits or commit any aggression or injustice. We should also be open to peace and reconciliation, and respect the sanctity of life.