Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam. The First Infallible Successor to Prophet of Islam, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) never resorted to policies which would displease God; never carried out inhumane measures; and never believed that goals justify the means.

Imam Ali (AS) coupled courage with modesty; strength with kindness; rule with justice; knowledge with piety; and piety with Jihad; becoming the role model for the true followers of the righteous path.

In the past few weeks we studied some of the features of the ruling system of Imam Ali (AS). The fact of the matter is that the tradition and manners of Imam Ali was a reminder of the lifestyle and ruling system of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). Study of the characteristic traits of Imam Ali (AS) is highly beneficial and filled with educational points. Meanwhile, one of his main traits is his pure faith in God. The Infallible Imam spent his entire honorable life selflessly safeguarding the divine religion of Islam. His loyalty and devotion toward the diviner religion of Islam was unique and exemplary and none of his disciples could compete with him to this end. He was the main companion of the Prophet of Islam and played a key role in attainment of Islamic conquests. The Prophet of God noted: “Ali was coupled with righteousness and righteousness was coupled with Ali.”

Imam Ali (AS) founded his ruling system on eradication of corruption and revival of spiritual ideals. Thus, throughout his rule, he carried out major reformations in order to uproot corruption and injustice.

Imam Ali’s lifestyle truly reflected the sacred religion of Islam. He maintained friendly and amicable interactions with his disciples, while displaying honor and dignity to the utmost.  The disciples of Imam Ali noted that the Infallible Imam was very modest; however, they sensed his grandeur. He was uniquely devout and maintained a very simple lifestyle. Although he was at the helm of a ruling system, he always thought of, and sympathized with the poor and needy, and his meals, clothes, and accommodation were a reminder of the meals, clothing, and homes of the low-income strata.

Imam Ali always responded to the demands of the poor and needy. Although he ruled over the vast Islamic lands, he never tapped into the treasury for personal needs and only left behind a few dirhams after his demise. He developed many palm groves, but donated all of them to the poor and needy. Imam Ali empathized kindly with the vulnerable strata and personally handed over food to them, upon nightfall, although he was the ruler of Muslims. He kept an eye on orphans and homeless people and made personal efforts to dispel their needs. Imam Ali noted that he was the father of orphans and the disadvantaged, and the shelter of weak and fragile people.

Based on a historical account, one day Imam Ali (AS) saw a woman at an alley, which was carrying a heavy jar of water with difficultly. The Infallible Imam called on her to let him carry the jar of water. He carried the jar of water, while asking about her well-being. The Infallible Imam discovered that the woman’s husband was one of Imam Ali’s soldiers, who had attained martyrdom in one of the battles. Thus, that woman was forced to work in order to meet her children’s needs and to afford their expenses. Imam Ali inquired about the woman’s address. He was deeply saddened by that woman’s status quo; and the next day, upon the break of dawn, took a sac filled with dates, cooking oil, flour, and meat to that woman’s house. He knocked on the door, and upon her permission, entered her home. He asked whether the woman wanted him to entertain her children or prepare bread for her family. The woman asked Imam to play with her children, while she was baking bread.

Imam Ali cooked meat, while later feeding her children pieces of meat and dates. When the woman wanted to bake bread, she asked the Infallible Imam to turn on the oven. Imam Ali did so, while nearing his face to the flames of fire, and reminding himself that flames of fire served as the punishment for those, who neglected orphans.

At this point in time, the woman’s female neighbor entered the house, and saw Imam Ali playing games with orphans and feeding them with delicious meals. The woman’s neighbor recognized the Infallible Imam, while addressing the woman and pointing out that he was the Imam Ali (AS), the caliph of Muslims. The woman was ashamed of her remarks and behavior, and apologized to the Infallible Imam. Meanwhile, in response, Imam Ali (AS) noted that he was ashamed of not being aware of her status quo, until that day.

Imam Ali always worshipped and prayed to God. His nightly prayers are known to all. Whoever contemplates in Imam Ali’s prayers, realizes his loyalty and devotion to the creator of the world, God Almighty.

Within battles, he prayed to God upon nightfall, while throughout the days, at the peak of confrontations, he courageously attacked enemy troops. He never showed any signs of fear at battlefields.

While historical accounts have pointed out his unique courage and bravery, he was also very kind, and emotional. At battlefields, he never allowed his troops to attack women, children, and the wounded. He never chased the fugitives, never ambushed enemy troops, and never blocked water sources to enemy forces.

He made utmost efforts to revive righteousness and truthfulness. Throughout his rule, he stood up against seditions which were incited by those, who were interested in worldly desires. However, in regards to achievement of his elevated goals, he never resorted to approaches which would displease God and never believed that goals justify the means.  He became the role model of all of those, who sought the truth.

One of the prominent aspects of Imam Ali (AS) was his vast knowledge. He was the most familiar person with the elevated goals of Holy Quran. Imam Ali courageously presented righteousness. His remarks were guidelines for his contemporaries and all generations of mankind. Part of his remarks which have been presented in the book Nahj Ul-Balaqe, reflect his vast knowledge. His eloquent remarks show his vast knowledge on topics such as Islamic teachings, theology, the super natural, ethics, and purification of soul, social principles, prayers, familiarization with Holy Quran, and a number of scientific facts. His remarks highly influenced others.

Based on these facts, no one has captured the attention of Ulema and thinkers as Imam Ali (AS).

The Infallible Imam was attacked by one of the Khawaraj at the break of dawn of the 19^th day of the holy month of Ramadan on 40^th AH, while observing morning prayers at a mosque, attaining martyrdom on the night of the 21^st day of holy month of Ramadan, after a lifetime of devotion and loyalty to the divine path.

MR/ME