In Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, responding to the defeated warrior's inquiry, Imam Ali reveals the profound spiritual principle guiding his actions: he operates entirely for the sake of God. Ali distinguishes himself as the "Lion of God" ($شیر حق$) rather than a "lion of passion" ($شیر هوا$), meaning his combat is a divine duty, not a pursuit of personal vengeance. He explains that when the adversary spat in his face, a personal motive—anger—was aroused. Had he struck the fatal blow at that moment, it would have been an act of ego rather than divine justice. To illustrate his absolute spiritual stability, Ali compares his soul to a mountain that cannot be moved by the "winds" of anger, lust, or greed. This explanation highlights the Sufi ideal of annihilating the ego, demonstrating that true spiritual mastery requires every action, whether giving or withholding, to be executed purely out of divine love and will.