The Commander of the Faithful, The Gateway of Knowledge
whose City was the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.) accepted the
worldly khilafah on great public demand of the multitude of Muslim Ummah
present in Madinah at that time. He implemented the Qur’anic principles of
justice and equality for everyone irrespective of their faith, social status,
gender, ethnicity. Upon assuming power, he replaced most of the governors of
the then Islamic state and appointed pious officers. One of the Companions of
the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), who took part in the Battle of Yarmouk, Malik
al-Harith al-Ashtar was appointed as the governor of Egypt and surrounding
areas.
In 2002 A.D., The Secretary General of the United Nations,
Kofi Annan issued a Declaration of Human Rights which is this advice of Imam
Ali (a.s.) to Malik al-Harith al-Ashtar, urging the world leaders to follow the
example of his (a.s.) sound and humanitarian method in ruling which revealed
the spirit of social justice and peace.
The historian Massoudi, recognized Imam Ali (a.s.) as being
the source of no less than 480 treatise, lecture, and epistles, as collected by
Zaid bin Wahab and Asbagh bin Nabata in the Imam (a.s.)’s lifetime. These
contributions were held in such high regard, both for their contents as well as
intrinsic literary worth, that some of his masterpieces stimulated into being
many subjects of study in Muslim colleges and universities. Imam Ali (a.s.) ‘s
reputation reached Europe by the time of Renaissance. Edward Powcock, a
professor at Oxford University in 1639 A.D. delivered lectures on his
“Rhetoric” and published his (a.s.) “Sayings”. Later, scholars like Nasr ibn
Mazahim (148 A.H.), Jahiz Basari (255A.H.), Syed Razi (404 A.H.), Ibn Abil Hadid
and Allama Mustafa Bek Najib, the great living scholar of Egypt, reproduced it.
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s letter to Malik al-Harith al-Ashtar:
Be it known to you, o, Malik, that I am sending you as
governor to a country which in the past has experienced both just and unjust
rule. Men will scrutinize your actions with a searching eye, as you used to scrutinize
the actions of those before you. The fact is that public speak well of those
who do good, they furnish the proof of your actions. Keep your desires
under control and deny yourself that which you have been prohibited from.
Develop in your heart a feeling of love for your people and let it be the
source of kindness. Do not behave with them like a barbarian, and do not appropriate
to yourself that which belongs to them. Remember that the citizens of the
state are of two categories. They are your brother in religion or your
brother in kind. They are subject to infirmities and liable to commit
mistakes. Some even commit mistakes. But forgive them even as you like Allah to
forgive you. Bear in mind that you are placed over them, even as I am placed
over you. Even there is Allah over him who has given you the position of
governor. You will be judged by what you do for them. Do not set yourself
against Allah. Do not feel sorry over any act of forgiveness, nor rejoice over
any punishment meted out to them. Do not say, “I am your overlord, bow to my
commands.” as that will corrupt your heart, weaken your faith, and create disorder
in the state. Should you ever feel slightest symptoms of pride and arrogance then
look at the Divine governance over which you have no control. Beware! Never
put yourself against the Majesty and grandeur of Allah. Let your
mind respect through your actions the rights of Allah and the rights of men. Nothing excites Divine Wrath against him
more easily than cruelty. Maintain justice in the administration and
seek consent of the people. Miserliness, cowardice, and greed
deprive man of his trust in Allah. Do not treat good and bad alike.
Turn to Allah and His Prophet for guidance whenever you feel uncertain.
Treat businessman well. Beware! Fear Allah when dealing with the
problems of the poor who have none to patronize them. Meet the oppressed
and the lowly periodically in open conferences. Set apart the best time to
communicate with Allah. Never keep aloof from the people. Do not throw
away the offer of peace by your enemy. Do not make haste to do a thing before
its time, nor put it off when time arrives. Keep your anger in
control and keep your hands and tongue in check. Study carefully the
principles which have inspired just and good rulers who have gone before you.
Give close thought to the example of our Prophet, his traditions, and the
commandments of the Holy Qur’an.
Nahjul Balagha Part 2, Letters and sayings by Allama Sharif
Razi
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