Imam Ali (a.s.)
was the possessor of unique and conflicting traits ever present in a human being. He was the bravest man in human history at the same time he was the most
humane and humble person ever created. He was given the title of “The Gateway of Knowledge” by
the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) at the same time he was the symbol of humility. Being the caliph of the time but still mingle with the people in the market place without any guards for protection.
His letter to
Malik-e-Ashter, when the Imam (a.s.) appointed
him as the governor of Egypt, is a prima facie evidence of his mode of
governance to establish a kind and benevolent rule. It throws light on various aspects of justice,
benevolence, and mercy, an order based on ethics of Divine ruler ship where
justice and mercy are shown to human beings irrespective of class, creed, and
color, where poverty is neither a stigma nor a disqualification and where
justice is not tainted with nepotism, favoritism , provincialism or religious
fanaticism; and on the other hand, it is a thesis on the higher values of morality. Some of the
extracts from the letter is reproduced below:
“You must know that a good and virtuous man is known and
recognized by the good that is said about him and the praise which Allah has
destined him to receive from others. Therefore,
make your mind the source and fountain-head of good thoughts, good intentions,
and good deeds. This can only be attained by keeping a strict control on your
desires and yearnings, however much they may try to incite and coerce you.
Remember, the best way to do justice to your inner self and keep it out of harm
is to restrain it from vice and from things which the ‘self’ inordinately and
irrationally desires. You must
create in your mind kindness, compassion, and love for your subjects. Do not
behave towards them as if you are a voracious and ravenous beast!”
“Behave humbly with the people, keep yourself lenient,
meet them with a big heart, and accord them equal treatment, so that the high
may not expect injustices from you in their favor, and the low should not be
despondent of your justice towards them. By
Allah, even if I am given the domains of the seven continents with all that
exists under the skies in order that I may disobey Allah to the extent of
snatching one grain of barley from an ant, I would not do it!”
“Remember, Malik
that among your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same
religion as you have; they are brothers to you, and those who have religion
other than that of yours, they are human beings like you.” Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to, they commit sins, indulge in vices, either intentionally or foolishly and
unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their
rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness
to you. You must always appreciate and adopt a policy which is neither too
severe nor too lenient; a policy which is based on equity will be largely
appreciated.”
“Your worst ministers will be the men who had been
ministers to the despotic rulers before you and who had been a party to the atrocities committed by them. Such
persons should not be taken into your confidence and should not be trusted
because they have aided sinners and have assisted tyrants and cruel rulers.”
The Greatness of Imam
Ali (a.s.)’s thoughts may be measured in that after more than a thousand years,
the United Nations Arab Human Development Report of 2002 sent this letter to the governments of Muslim countries as an example of governance in modern times.
In the Battle of Siffin, when the forces of Muawiah captured
the banks of River Euphrates, they denied water to the army of Imam Ali (a.s.).
The Imam (a.s.) sent Sasha ibn Suhan to resolve this crisis without bloodshed
but the enemy refused. In accordance with the Sunnah of the Noble Prophet
(s.a.w.a.s), Imam (a.s.) never initiated any assault but this situation
demanded to wrestle back the banks of river. The Imam (a.s.)’s army regained
the banks but in spite of some of the suggestions to deprive water to Muawiah’s
forces, the Noble Imam allowed water to them!
Source used:
Nahjul-Balagha
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