Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:

"In times of turmoil, be like a young camel—its back is not strong enough to be ridden, and it has no udders to be milked."


Explanation and Interpretation of the Best Approach During Times of Turmoil


In this profound saying, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) advises: "In times of fitnah (trials, discord, or social chaos), be like a young camel (Ibn al-Labūn)—its back is not strong enough to be ridden, and it has no udders to be milked."


To understand this meaningful statement, it’s important to first clarify two key terms:


1. Fitnah: Originally referring to testing gold in a furnace to separate purity from impurity, it here means social upheavals, trials, or periods of widespread confusion and conflict.

2. Ibn al-Labūn: A young camel, around two years old, that is neither strong enough to be ridden nor has udders to provide milk. Thus, it is of no use to anyone at that age.


The Imam’s message is clear: During conflicts sparked by people of falsehood—when opposing unjust groups clash—one should not become a tool for either side. Stay away, and do not assist any party engaged in wrongdoing.


Typically, in such situations, each side seeks influential individuals to exploit their power and resources to defeat their rivals. Therefore, everyone—whether influential or ordinary—must exercise extreme caution to avoid falling into the traps of seditionists, lest their faith or worldly well-being be harmed.


Some narrations add: "Nor does it have wool to be sheared," emphasizing that such a camel offers nothing to be taken advantage of.


Examples from History


Such turmoil was common in early Islamic history. The Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt and their followers consistently avoided taking sides in conflicts between unjust groups. For instance, when Abu Muslim revolted against the Umayyads—seemingly to oppose tyranny—Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) rejected his offer of leadership. The Imam recognized that this was a fitnah where one unjust group sought to replace another, and thus he refused to support either.


The Virtue of Prudent Isolation


Many narrations from the Imams highlight the virtue of distancing oneself during such times. For example:


· Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "Isolation is the best trait of the intelligent."

· He also stated: "The safety of one’s faith lies in staying away from people (during corruption)."

· When asked why he chose seclusion, Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) replied: "The times have become corrupt, and friends have changed. I found solitude more comforting for the heart."


The Quran also references this concept. For instance, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said:

"I will distance myself from you and what you invoke besides Allah. I will call upon my Lord." (Quran 19:48)

Similarly, the story of the People of the Cave highlights their withdrawal from a corrupt society.


Clarification: Not Abandoning the Truth


It is crucial to note that Imam Ali’s advice does not mean we should abandon supporting truth and believers when they are oppressed. The Quran explicitly commands:

"If two groups of believers fight, reconcile them. But if one oppresses the other, fight the oppressors until they submit to Allah’s command." (Quran 49:9)

The Imam’s saying specifically refers to conflicts where both sides are unjust, and supporting either would mean aiding falsehood.


The Layers of Meaning


The phrases "no back to be ridden" and "no udders to be milked" can be interpreted as:


· Do not provide direct assistance (like offering yourself as a "ride" into battle).

· Do not provide indirect support (like offering resources, "milk," to fuel the conflict).


Part of a Larger Wisdom


This saying is part of a longer advice from Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to his son, Imam Hasan (peace be upon him), describing a future time of moral decay:

"A time will come when children are misguided, youth are sinful, elders do not enjoin good or forbid evil, and scholars are deceitful, obsessed with worldly gains... In such conditions, my son, be like a young camel—with no back to be ridden, no wool to be sheared, and no udders to be milked."


In summary, Imam Ali’s timeless advice teaches prudent neutrality during unjust conflicts, preserving one’s faith and integrity by not becoming an instrument for corrupt parties.