Hazrat Qambar was one of the slaves of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.).Although, Imam had set him free but he insisted to serve the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

Imam Ali (a.s.) was the ideal master.  One day, Imam Ali (a.s.) went to the market and took Qambar with him. There he bought two dresses, one of which was very nice and expensive and the other was not as nice. When returned home, he gave the nice dress to Qambar and kept the other one for himself. Qambar told the Imam (a.s.) that it would be better if he wore the nicer one as he was the leader of the Muslims. The Imam (a.s.) told him that Qambar should wear the nicer dress because he was younger and so it would suit him better; but more importantly the Commander of the faithful told him that he was a guide for the Muslims and had to set a good example for them by leading a simple life.

At yet another time Imam Ali (a.s.) was returning from a journey with a string of camels fully loaded with goods. On the way a beggar asked for a piece of bread. Imam Ali (a.s.) asked Qambar to give some bread to the beggar. Qambar was searching for the bread. After few moments Imam Ali (a.s.) asked about the delay. Qambar said: “I am looking for the bread.” Chief of the Philanthropy, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Give the beggar the camel which carries the food.” After a while the Imam (a.s.) again asked about the delay.

Qambar said: “I am searching the camel which carries the bread.” Imam Ali (a.s.) ordered “Give the whole caravan” Qambar hurriedly jumped off from the camel and handed over the reins of the whole caravan to the fortunate beggar.

Imam Ali (a.s.) smiled at the agility of Qambar and asked him: “Why did you jump so quickly and handed over the reins in such haste?” Qambar replied: “Master, you are in such a mood that on account of a little delay, you gave away the whole caravan. I was afraid if there was some more delay, you might give me away also with the caravan! You will get a thousand slaves like me but where will I get a master like you?”

After the martyrdom of the Commander of the faithful (a.s.), Qambar related that he very seldom had the opportunity to serve his master. He used to do his work himself. The Imam used to give them (slaves) good food and decent dresses and would eat and dress like a poor man. He never got angry. He never used a cane on his horse or camel.

Qambar continued that he was angry with Qambar only once, when he showed the 100 Dirham he saved, the Imam was very sad. When asked him for the reason of his sadness, the Imam said: “Qambar, if you have no use of this money, were there not people around you who were in need of it, some of them might have been starving  and some ill and infirm, could you not have helped them. I never thought that you could be so heartless and cruel, and could love wealth for the sake of wealth. Qambar, I am afraid you are not trying to acquire much from Islam, try more seriously and sincerely. Take these coins out of my house. I took them out and distributed among the beggars in the Kufa mosque.

Once a woman was found guilty of a major sin and she was brought before the Supreme Judge, Imam Ali (a.s.). The Holy Imam (a.s.) after making proper investigations decreed that the woman should be punished in accordance with the Divine Commandments.

Qambar, who was one of the devout followers of Imam Ali (a.s.), was ordered to enforce the sentence of punishment but out of rage he whipped her with three extra lashes. When

The Judicious Imam (a.s.) came to know of it, he took the lash from Qambar’s hand and by making him lie down whipped him three times.

One day, Muatawakkil, the caliph, asked  ibne Sikkit, the tutor of his sons, “Do you love my sons more than the sons of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)?” He at once replied with valor and bravely: “I love Qambar, the slave of Imam Ali (a.s.) more than I love your sons!”

Mutawakkil was enraged and furious like an injured wolf and ordered that the tongue of this man be extracted and pulled from the back of his neck. So the great man died at the age of 58 years.

Hujjaj bin Yousuf was the governor of Iraq during the time of Abdul Malik ibne Marwan.

The tyrant beast used to boast: “The most tasteful thing to me in the world is shedding blood” He had killed 120,000 shias of Imam Ali. Once he asked “Is there any more shias left?” He was told that Qambar was alive. Qambar, who had become old, was captured.

Hujjaj: “Are you a slave of Ali?”

Qambar: “Allah is my master and Ali is my benefactor”

Hujjaj: “What was your duty in the service of Ali?”

Qambar: I used to bring water for his ablution (wuzu)”

Hujjaj: “What was Ali reciting after finishing wuzu?”

Qambar: “He used to recite this verse: “And when they forgot that which they have been admonished, He opened for them the door for all things (of enjoyment); until when they rejoiced in what they were given, We caught them suddenly, when, lo! they were in utter despair.” (6:44)

Hujjaj: “I suppose he meant us to be included in this verse?”

Qambar: “Yes”

Hujjaj: “You better leave the religion of Ali”

Qambar: “Before I leave his religion, tell me which religion is better than his?”

Hujjaj: “What will you do if I cut your head?”

Qambar: “Then it will be good luck for me and bad luck for you.”

In another tradition, the last questions and answers were recorded differently.

Hujjaj: “I surely intend to kill you. You better choose your own method of death”

Qambar: “It is up to you. Kill me in what ever way you like, because I kill you the same way on the Day of Judgment. And as a matter of fact my master had told me that you would behead me.” Hujjaj ordered him to be beheaded.

References:

Lessons from Quran by Professor Muhsin Qarati

Slavery: Islamic and Christian Perspectives by Sayyid Saeed Akhter Rizvi

Akhlaaq-e-A’imma, Morals and Manners of Imam Ali by Maulana Zafar Hasan Amrohi

Amir-al-Momineen and his two servants found on Islamic occasions.com

Master and Mastership by Ayatulla Murtada Mutahhari