A look at Imam Ali's life
Ali ibn Abi Taleb (born in 23 before Hijra and passed away in 40 after Hijra) was the first Shias’ Imam, the greatest companion of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), first narrator of the hadith (statements) of the Prophet, his cousin and son-in-law, the most reliable scribe of revelation (the holy Qur'an).
He was the fourth caliph after the Prophet. According to Shia scholars and many Sunni scholars, he was born inside the Ka'ba (focal point of prayer located in the Holy Mosque in Mecca). He was the first person who believed in the Prophet, hence, his epithet, Amir-ul-Mo'menin (Commander of the Faithful).
According to Shia Muslims, upon the divine command and clear announcement of the Prophet, Imam Ali was the immediate successor of the Prophet. There are ayahs (verses) in the holy Qur'an which indicate his infallibility and purity from any pollution or sin.
As per the Shia sources and some of the Sunni ones, nearly 300 ayahs of the holy Qur'an were revealed on his merits. Imam Ali is the husband of the Prophet's daughter, Hazrat Fatemah (Peace be upon her) and the father and grandfather of 11 infallible Imams.
The martyrdom of Imam Ali (PBUH) occurred on 21st of Ramadhan in the year 40 after Hijra (migration of Prophet from Mecca to Medina) as a result of the sword blow which was struck on his head two days before by a renegade of extremist currents in the Mosque of Kufa.
The book of Nahj-ul-Balagha
Nahj-ul-Balagha is a selection of Imam Ali's sermons, letters and words which was compiled by Sayyed Razi in late 4 century AH. This book has been called the "Brother of Qur'an" due to its lofty content and eloquence.
One of the most famous letters of Imam Ali in this book is the one written to his loyal companion, Malik Ashtar, whom he had appointed as governor of Egypt.
The letter, which became known as the covenant of governance, contains words each of which is a treasure of knowledge and cognizance for every reader, especially politicians and statesmen who have taken over a responsibility and want to rule and administer justly. Here we have gathered some parts of the letter:
Part one - Some of the ethical recommendations of Imam Ali (PBUH) to governors:
- An Islamic governor should have mercy and affection to people and should not be like fierce beasts who consider it a good chance to eat people.
- An Islamic governor should pardon and forgive where it is possible, because people are susceptible to mistakes and the governor should excuse them.
- An Islamic governor should remove spites and complexes from people's hearts and bear favorable opinion towards them, because favorable opinion towards people will remove lengthy hardship.
- An Islamic governor not only should not be faultfinding, but also, he should banish faultfinding people, because people have faults and the governor should conceal their faults.
- A governor should not approve of gossipers even if they appear to have good intention.
- An Islamic governor will not be successful in fulfilling the covenant that God has concluded with him unless with endeavor and asking God for help and preparing the soul for respecting the truth.
- A governor should not regret the pardoning of someone or be happy with the punishment he has ordained for some.
- A governor should dedicate the best hours of his day and night for communication with God and, in order to attain the lofty status of sincerity, he should fulfill obligations and other divine duties without an iota of shortcoming.
- A governor should be loyal to the promises he gives and not renege of them.
- A governor should harness pessimism, horrible countenance and aggressiveness of hand and tongue, and he should avoid intentional killing.
Part two - Some social recommendations of Imam Ali (PBUH) to governors:
- The most favorite affairs to the Islamic governor should be the most equitable in truth, the most comprehensive in justice, and the most comprehensive for the satisfaction of the society.
- The foremost among people for the Islamic governor should be the one who speaks out the truth, even in the bitterest situations, more eloquently than others.
- Whatever sins and ugly matters of individuals of society are concealed from the governor and remain undisclosed to him, he should show negligence towards them.
- It is one of the special duties of the governor to meet the needs of the people on the same day that he has been informed of and to do the work of each day on the same day, as every day presents an opportunity.
- The governor should not keep himself away from the people, because the governor's seclusion from the people leads to a kind of ignorance about the affairs.
- The governor or ruler is obliged to strictly refrain from preferring his relatives over other people of the society.
- The ruler should not claim credit for the favors he does to the people of the society and should not point out the work he has done for the benefit of the society.
Part three - Some political recommendations of Imam Ali (PBUH) to governors:
- The governor should refrain from seeking advice from miserly, cowardly, and greedy individuals because miserliness, fear, and greed are vices that ultimately lead to distrust in God.
- Good and bad individuals should never be treated alike by the governor, as this action causes the righteous people to feel humiliated in their good deeds and encourages the bad individuals in their improper deeds.
- No governor should break traditions that competent individuals of society have adhered to, as these traditions have contributed to the reasonable coordination of the people of society. And never should he establish a tradition that removes good traditions of the people.
- The governor should dispel any accusations of oppression and ulterior motives made against him by the people; if the people suspect oppression and aggression from the governor, he should openly clarify his position or behavior that has caused unwarranted suspicions and dispel unjust suspicions from himself.
- The governor should not be hasty in matters before their due time arrives.
- The governor should not engage in ambiguity and obscurity in a matter when there is uncertainty; instead of revealing the truth and accepting it, he should not resort to obstinacy.
- The governor should not consider himself superior to others in matters where all people are equal. This means that the governor should not consider himself superior to others in the rights of life, dignity, freedom, etc., and should not violate the rights of the people in matters related to livelihood, dignity, and human honor.
- The
governor should never show himself negligent and ignorant in matters
for which he is responsible and visible to the eyes of the people.
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