Because of the unique and multifaced personality of Imam Ali
(a.s.), there were friends, admirers, and enemies even during the lifetime of
the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and such distinct division had enormously
grown over the time to date.
Even after the spell
of cursing the “Nafse Rasool” for 40 years on orders from Muawiya bin Abu
Sufyan, the ever-growing number of Truth loving humanity loves and admires him.
Although, the Muslim Ummah was going through poverty, Muawiya lavishly spent their
wealth to falsely fabricate traditions directed against Imam Ali (a.s.) but
failed to belittle the status of the spotless image of the holder of The
Divine Ayah of Purity (33:33)
It is human nature to be attracted toward virtues and
abhor the falsehood. After the dawn of Islam, the Muslims witnessed the bravery
(in the battles of Badr, Uhad , Khandaq and Khyber) , knowledge (speaker of the
pulpit of Saluni) self-sacrifice (sleeping on Prophet’s bed in the night of
Migration 2:207), friend of the down trodden, best Judge deciding the most
difficult legal situations, pious (gave alms while praying-in ruk’u 5:55).
Friends of Imam Ali (a.s.) were the people who have sound
faith, love him to the extent that Maitham Tammar was told by him (a.s.) that
because of his love for Imam Ali (a.s.) he will be killed mercilessly and
hanged on a tree. Even after Imam Ali (a.s.)’s martyrdom, Maitham nourished the
tree and when hanged he still called people to listen to the virtues of
Imam Ali (a.s.). Ibn as-Sikkit was the teacher of the Abbasside tyrant
al-Mutawakkil’s sons. Mutawakkil asked al-Sikkit, “Are my sons dearer to
you than al-Hasan and al-Husayn?” As-Sikkit replied, “By Allah, I swear
the ‘Ali’s slave Qambar is dearer to me than these two and their father.”
Mutawakkil ordered that Sikkit’s tongue should be cut from his throat.
Allah and his Messenger persuaded everyone to love his
family as in Surah al-Shura Ayah 23, “Say: I do not ask of you a wage for this,
except love of my family”. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) explained that his
family includes Fatima, Ali, Hasan and Husayn”. He said, “Love of Ali is faith.
Looking at Ali’s face is ibadah”
The basis of the love for Ali is the connection of our
souls with the Truth which has been laid down in our nature and since our nature
is eternal, love for Ali is also eternal. Humanity loves Ali (a.s.) because
of his manifestation of a “Perfect Man”; excellent traits of wisdom and
knowledge, self-sacrifice and altruism, humanity and modesty, kindness and
mercy, protection of the weak and justness, liberality and love of freedom,
respect for humanity and generosity, bravery and magnanimity towards his
enemies.
Every principled man who has an aim and struggle towards
it, particularly revolutionary, who pursues the putting into practice of his sacred
goals, makes enemies and leaves dissatisfied people. Ali had no concern for
anyone in the way of Allah. In the period of his apparent khilafat, Ali battled
with them: the people of (the battle of) Jamal, whom he himself named Nakithuns
(those who break their allegiance), the people of (the battle of) Siffin whom
he called Qasitun (those who deviate); and the people of (the battle of) Nahrawan,
the Khawarij, whom he called Mariqun (those who miss the truth of the religion).
There is a tradition of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) addressing Imam Ali
(a.s.), “I did jihad with the Polytheists about the revelation of the Glorious
Qur’an and you will do jihad for its implementation.” (Ahmad ibn Hanbal and
al-Hakim reported by Abu Saeed al-Khudri). Men like Muawiya and Amr ibn A’s
negatively influenced the Muslim history and may still be at work.
Extracts from “The Voice of Human Justice” by a Lebanese
Christian in praise of Imam Ali (a.s.) is worth reading:
“He cut off the heads of big giants but was himself overcome
by love and kindness. He was a stranger and a lovely person who suffered all
sorts of hardships so that the people might remain happy. The Prophet had said
many times: O Ali! Only a hypocrite will be inimical towards you.” The entire
wealth of the world and all its treasures could not equal the lace of his
shoes!”
Sources: Polarization around the character of Ali ibn Abi
Talib by Ayatullah Murtadha Mutahhari
Shiite Encyclopedia
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