In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Imam Ali (a.s.): His Personality, Knowledge and Caliphate

In this portrait of Imam Ali (a.s.), the late Religious Authority, His Eminence, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra) reasserts, in addition to showing the significance and virtues of the Imam, that to be a true follower of Imam Ali (a.s.) one should consider him as his guide in all his sayings and deeds, and follow his example in practice. Sayyed Fadlullah considers that Imam Ali represents, in the Islamic conception, a great humanitarian and Islamic value, because he, and the Imams who succeeded him, were entrusted with preserving the religion and playing the role of guiding people to the right path.  

There are some people, whom if you mention their names, you feel yourself entering into the caves of history while holding a candle to know them and be introduced to their thought and life. But whenever you say Ali (a.s.), you feel that this name is traversing time, rising in wide horizons, showing you the infinity, and taking you all around the world.

There are some people whom if you mention their names, you feel as if they are taking you to abstraction far away from life; whereas, other names make you feel as if they are touching the abstract with their minds and bringing it down to reality.

Imam Ali (a.s.) is the man who spent his life near Allah and was spiritually with Him. His life was not a Sufi one; it was an open one that makes you live with people to feel their pains and sufferings and to create a new thought in their minds by Allah’s inspiration.

"And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotee." (02:207).

"Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messengers, and the Believers, those who establish regular prayers and pay Zakat and they bow down humbly (in worship)." (05:55).

These two verses refer to the good conduct of Imam Ali (a.s). The first one was revealed in the first night of Al-Hijra (immigration), when Ali (a.s) slept in the Prophet’s (p.) bed to cover for his leaving of Mecca. So, Allah witnessed the Imam’s loyalty to His Messenger being also a loyalty to Allah.

The second verse was revealed when Imam (a.s) was praying in the mosque and a beggar entered. Ali (a.s.) gave him his ring as a Zakat (almsgiving) without breaking his prayers.

Imam Ali (a.s.) served Allah in all his actions. Even his fight against the enemies and his bravery were devoted to Allah, and not for his own interests.

His bravery and heroism were not a personal matter. He devoted his arms to Allah and did not use his sword, unless he was commanded by Allah through His Prophet (p.). He fought only in battles where he would gratify Allah, and left any battle, which did not serve the Islamic interests.

Therefore, if we study the Imam’s wars, starting from his war beside the Prophet (p.) in Badr, until his last war against the separatists, we realize that he fought in conformity with the juristic principles. His aim through his wars lied in the interests of Allah and Islam and not in satisfying his personal pride and pleasures.

This is how Imam Ali’s (a.s) personality in peace and war was demonstrated. He did not reconcile with his enemies for his own interests, but for the Islamic interest. For that reason, he used to say: "I will keep the peace as long as the Muslims 'affairs are secured."

From the beginning of his life, Ali (a.s) did not look at any person as an important one, because he believed in the glorification of Allah only. Therefore, he did not fear anyone except Allah.

This is Ali (a.s.), the brave man who had never retreated, which the Prophet (p.) had affirmed when he said: "Tomorrow, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Prophet (p.) and whom Allah and His Prophet (p.) love." This man attacks but never flees. He does not come back from a battle, until he achieves victory by Allah’s blessings.

Imam Ali (a.s) before the Prophet’s (p.) mission

The Prophet (p.) had raised Ali (a.s.) before the mission. He took him from his uncle Abu Talib to educate him and help his uncle in fostering his children; thus, Ali (a.s.) was the Prophet's foster son. The Prophet (p.) used to contemplate in Allah’s creation of the universe, and opened his mind to Allah before the mission. He also made the Imam (a.s.) share him his contemplations to strengthen his moral values. So, the honest and the trusty Prophet taught Ali (a.s) how to be honest and trustworthy like him.

Actually, Imam Ja'afar As-Sadiq (a.s.) talked about the education which Ali (a.s.) has acquired from the Prophet (p.). When one of As-Sadiq's companions asked him(a.s.) to teach him something in order to reach a high degree in his (a.s.) view, As-Sadiq answered: "See what Imam Ali (a.s.) has done to reach a high degree in the Prophet's (p.) view. That was due to Ali's honesty and faithfulness."

Out of honesty and loyalty to Allah, Ali (a.s.) was very close to truth and never deviated from it. He upheld the Islamic responsibility, which he considered that Allah had entrusted him with, and that extends to all his relations with the reality and all his life stages. That was Ali (a.s.) who lived with Allah at the spiritual level.

He was barely ten years old, when the message was revealed to the Prophet (p.). Yet, he directly responded to the Prophet's (p.) call to embrace Islam.

Some historians stated that Ali was the first boy to embrace Islam and some tried to say that his decision was not a rational one; whereas, when the Prophet (p.) called him to embrace Islam he knew that Ali (a.s.) has had a mind of a rational man. Otherwise, why would he ask him to do so?

Imam Ali (a.s) after the Prophet’s mission

Ali (a.s.) embraced Islam and started his life with the Prophet (p.). He lived with him in his house and heard the inspiration revealed to him through Gabriel – the angle who delivered the message to the Prophet (p.). He learned from the Prophet (p.) how to be patient in delivering the message, and how to act when the message requires movement, power and tolerance. He acquired the Prophet’s (p.) morals. Thus, when Najran’s Christians came to the Prophet (p.) to pray earnestly with him and invoke Allah's curse on those who lie, the following Ayah was revealed: "If any one disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee, say: "Come! Let us gather together, our sons, and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray. And invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!" (03:61).

The Prophet (p.) came with his two grandsons Al-Hasan and Al-Hussein (a.s.), his daughter Fatima Al-Zahraa (a.s.), and Imam Ali (a.s.). He said: "Ali is me". That was not because Ali (a.s.) was his relative, for the Prophet (p.) had many cousins, but because Ali (a.s.) had a profound religious personality. The Prophet (p.) educated Ali (a.s.) from the depth of his heart, and taught him his own morals.

Ali's (a.s) trade with Allah

Ali (a.s) was a pious Muslim in all his life's stands. His thought, feelings and emotions were characterized by the Islamic morals. We understand from his conduct, words, and feelings that to him, the meaning of Islam was to totally devote one's self to Allah. One can not be a real Muslim if he attaches importance to anyone other than Allah, or prefers anyone's interest or relations to Allah's ones. Therefore, a real Muslim must devote all his life for the sake of Allah Who says:

"Behold! His Lord said to him: Submit (thy will to Me): He said: "I submit (my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe." (02:131).

"Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds. No partner hath He: This I am commended and I am the first of those who submit to His Will." (06:162-163).

After he had embraced Islam, Ali (a.s.) dedicated his life to pave for us the path of truth. Allah spoke to us about him in the following Holy Ayah: "And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah." (02:207).

Ali (a.s.) wanted to win himself and he knew that he can not do so unless he dedicated his soul to Allah.

Therefore, when the Prophet (p.) asked him to sleep in his bed during the night Muhammad (p) left Mecca, Ali accepted immediately without hesitation in spite of the imminent danger. The only thing which he was worried about was the Prophet's (p.) life, safety and message. So, he asked the Prophet (p.): "O Messenger of Allah, will you be safe?" The Prophet (p.) answered: "Go and you will be guided by Allah". And, he slept in the Prophet's (p.) bed.

Without Ali's (a.s.) sacrifice, the Prophet (p.) would not have been able to cover his withdrawal. So, when the enemies came, they thought that the one who was sleeping in the bed was the Prophet (p.).

Immigration to Al-Madina

After the Prophet (p.) entered Al-Madina, Ali (a.s) directly followed him (p.) and was always by his side, obeying his commands and abstaining from sins.

Ali (a.s.) was the hero of the battle of Badr. Historians stated that he had killed during Badr half of the Quraishites. During the battle, he used to go back, from time to time, to make sure that the Prophet (p.) was safe and he always found him praying and prostrating to Allah. Thus, he was living with the Prophet (p.) and defending him in all his actions.

When it seemed that the Muslims were going to lose in the battle of Ohud, Ali (a.s.) was the one who defended and guarded the Prophet (p.). Whenever a Quraishites battalion attacked the Prophet (p.), he (p.) used to tell him: "Ali! Push away this battalion away from me."

Ali (a.s.) was the hero in all the Prophet's (a.s.) battles. When he (a.s.) stood out to fight Amr Bin Abid Wed El'amiri, in Al-Ahzab battle, the Prophet (p.) said: "The whole faith stood out to fight the whole polytheism."

When Ali (a.s) stood to fight Amr, the latter said: "I would not like to fight you because your father was my friend". Ali (a.s.) answered: "But I would like to fight you".

So, the Imam (a.s.) did not care about keeping the relationships of his father or his family; he worried only about his stand before Allah.

Ali's (a.s.) position in the Prophet's view

Ali (a.s.) started his life with the Prophet (p.) who always called him to engage in the battles, until the Prophet (p.) asked him to stay in Al-Madina in the battle of Tabook. Ali (a.s.) did not protest, he only tried to explain his point of view. The Prophet (p.) asked him: "Do not you like to be to me as Aaron was to Moses, except there is no Prophet after me?"

"And give me a minister from my family, Aaron, my brother. Add to my strength through him, and make him share my task." (20:29-32). So, Ali (a.s.) approved.

Ali's (a.s.) knowledge:

Since Allah had inspired the Prophet (p.) with the sciences of the Quran and the Islamic principles, Muslims considered that the Prophet (p.) is the one who has the knowledge of all sciences. They were worried because there was no enough time to learn from his (p.) knowledge. So, he (p.) told them:

"I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (a.s.) is its gate, and the one who wants to enter this city must pass through its gate."

That is due to the fact that Ali (a.s.) lived with the Prophet (p.), learned all his knowledge and was the only companion who was able to answer all questions concerning all issues. He was the authority whom all the companions used to refer to, while he did not have to ask anyone about any issue.

Al-Khalil Bin Ahmad Al-Farahidi, Sibawaih's teacher and the compiler of the first Arabic dictionary, was asked: "Why did you prefer Ali (a.s.) and not any other person?" During that time, Al-Khalil was loyal to Ali (a.s), so, he answered: "Everyone needs Ali (a.s.), while he is not in need of any one." Therefore, that is an evidence to prove that Ali is the Imam (authority) of everyone.

Ali (a.s) gained this high degree of knowledge because he learned it directly from the Prophet (p.). Even, some of the Prophet's (p.) wives said that they felt jealous of Ali (a.s.) because the Prophet (p.) used to spend with him much time every night in teaching him the sciences of the Holy Quran and discussing each verse, the place where it was revealed, its events and perspectives.

Consequently, the Imam's (a.s) knowledge is derived from the Islamic knowledge and his thought is an Islamic one. Even the ideas which he applied in his experiences were also derived from the general Islamic path. Hence, his thought was demonstrated in the movement in which he profoundly thinks, plans, argues, and goes ahead in all the fields of education, for the sake of Allah.

Moreover, the Imam (a.s.) was different from all those who achieved knowledge just to freeze it in their minds and be awarded by it. He believed that his knowledge was not sought for serving his own interests, but for the sake of Allah Who owned the whole knowledge. Since Allah wanted Ali (a.s.) to teach people this knowledge, Ali (a.s.) called on people to ask him, even when he was about to meet death. He used to say: "Ask me before you lose me."

Ali (a.s.) did not leave any commandment without explaining it to people, in order not to let them be suspicious towards any issue. So, he directed them to the right path and saved them from deviation.

Ali's (a.s.) role in educating people.

Ali (a.s) worked on educating people on the Islamic knowledge and that is clear through his speeches in Nahj Ul-Balaghah (the Peak of Eloquence). The Imam (a.s) took advantage of every opportunity to make people aware of all the issues surrounding them. He was the ruler who aimed at elevating the level of knowledge of his people, and not just to affect in order to make them loyal to him.

That should also be the responsibility of the leaders in the Islamic arena who must educate their people with the proper political and religious education. Thus, Allah has obliged every scholar who knows the Islamic sciences and is aware of the people's need for these sciences, to teach them and take advantage of every occasion to elevate their level of knowledge. Hence, it is unlawful for a Muslim, whether he was holding a responsibility or not, to stay at home, instead of writing, delivering speeches, discussing and arguing. It is stated in the Quran that: "Those who conceal the clear (Signs) we have sent down, and the Guidance, after we have made it for the People in the Book, on them shall be Allah's curse, and that curse of those entitled to curse." (02:159)

It was also narrated that the Prophet (p.) said: "If heresy appears among my people, let the scholar teach them from his science. The one who does not do so, on him shall be Allah's curse."

Therefore, Islam does not want people to be ignorant, simple minded creatures, or idiots.

If Muslim people are not aware of the religious, political, social, and economic issues, enemies can easily exploit their ignorance and entangle them in many problems.

For that reason, Islam attributes a great and a special importance to knowledge. Thus, Imam Ali (a.s.) categorized people in his speech addressed to Kumail Bin Ziad as follows: "People are divided into three categories: A scholar who devotes his knowledge to serving Allah, a learner who learns for the sake of rescuing himself, and the hooligan type of rabbles that follow anyone who cries out, turning whichever way the wind blows. The last category has not been illuminated by the light of knowledge and it has not fallen back upon support that offers safety, strength and security."

He added: "Listen to me Kumail. Knowledge is better than wealth, for knowledge guards you while you have to guard wealth. Knowledge increases the actions, but wealth gradually decreases as it is spent."

Then, Imam Ali (a.s.) defined the value of man by saying: "The value of each person lies in the work he is skilled in."

It is also stated in the Quran that: "…Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? "It is those who are endured with understanding that receive admonition." (39:09).

That is what we have to recall when talking about Imam Ali (a.s.) who was born in Al-Kaaba (the House of Allah) and devoted his life to Allah. Hence, he was born and died in the hands of Allah.

So, when Bin Mouljam hit Imam Ali (a.s.) on his head whilst praying, he (a.s.) said: "I swear by Allah, the God of Al-Kaaba, that I won". The Imam (a.s.) was still smiling, because he knew that during his life, he had always followed the right path, in spite of his sufferings, pain, and problems.

This is Imam Ali (a.s.) whom we are proud of, because of his great Jihad, his education that is admired by everyone, whether a Muslim or not, his justice that he consecrated in all his life stands, and his faithfulness to Allah and Islam.

Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Caliphate

Ibn Abbas says: "Once when I visited Imam Ali, he was mending his shoes. And the Holy Imam asked me, 'What do you think will be the price of this shoe?' I said, 'It has no value at all'. The Holy Imam then said, 'By Allah! To my mind, this torn shoe is more valuable than my ruling over the people provided that I enforce the right and eradicate falsehood".

Even the issue of ruling was employed by Ali (a.s.) to serve the right, for he aimed for the rule of the Message and not the person. That is why he looked at the reality from the perspective of the Message, with Allah, The Most Exalted, as his only concern, and safety of Islam and Muslims as his only goals.

He (a.s.) says: "I was surprised to see the people pour unto that person to give him bay'ah; so I held my hand, until I saw the people heading backwards and turning from Islam, calling for the annihilation of the religion of Muhammad (p.), so I feared that if I did not support Islam and its people, I would see its breakage and demolition; a disaster for me which would be greater than losing my rule over you, which was after all only few days long, and that it would vanish as a mirage vanishes or clouds disperse." And in another situation, he (a.s.) said: "I will remain peaceful as long as the affairs of Muslim are secured."

Thus, his opposition, was in no way personal. It aimed at serving the right, which made him help those who denied his right with advice and council, to the extent that it was said: "Had it not been for Ali, Omar would surely have perished." He did that because this is the attitude Islam expects and demands from every believer.

Ali (a.s.): The Caliph

When the Muslims pledged their allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.) and he started to rule, his ruling represented what the Messenger (p.) had set as an example of. He stood with the right and abided by the Shariah of Allah. That is why he was strong and decisive.

But he believed in dialogue and opened his heart to those who revolted against him. In a dialogue with Talha and Zubair, we find him (a.s.) saying: "You complain of such minor affairs, and neglect major things [done for you]. Can you tell me of an instance of me depriving you of your rights or of a single thing that was your due, but I withheld it from you, or of a single case brought before me for judgment, but I failed to give a just decision, or of a situation in which I gave an incorrect decree?"

When they said no, Imam Ali (a.s.) asked them: ''What is it that you so disapprove of in me that you seek other than me?"

They said: "You made our share of allowance the same as the others; you made us equal to those who are not like us, regarding the booty bestowed upon us by Allah through our swords and spears, and which we charged our horses and men, upon which our mission was established, and which we took by force from those who reluctantly look at Islam."

He (a.s.) answered: "By Allah I never craved for the caliphate or authority. All of you invited me to accept it, and when I did, I looked into the Book of Allah, The Most Exalted, and to what we had been ordered to do, and I followed it, as well as the traditions of the Messenger of Allah (p.), and I exemplified it. In following those, I never needed your opinion, or the opinion of anybody else. Nor was there a judgment, which I knew not, so as to need your consultation or other Muslims. Had there been such a need I would have turned not away from you or from the others.As to what you say about equal distribution of wealth, I should say it is not my opinion which I follow, nor is it a desire of mine to control. It is what you and I found the Messenger of Allah doing. There, too, I needed no help from you, since Allah had already ordained its dividends. Therefore, neither you nor anyone else is justified in blaming me for this. May Allah, The Most Exalted, guide our hearts and yours to the truth and grant us patience. May Allah have mercy upon him who, when he sees the truth, helps it to spread, who, when he sees inequity, rejects it, and who rightly backs his companion."

This is the logic of Ali (a.s.), it is the calm but decisive logic of the right, even when old companions of the Prophet (p.) asked for certain privileges.

Then, when they declared war against him and brought the Mother of Believers, Aisha, with them, he tried to avoid the war in every possible way, but he had to go to war in the end to uphold the general order of the nation.

He (a.s.) also did not go to war with Muawiyah, until the latter wanted to rule Syria as independent from the caliphate, challenging the authority of Imam Ali (a.s.) which was given to him both by Allah, The Most Exalted, and by the people through their pledge of allegiance.

And when the Khawarij protested, because he accepted arbitration, he did not harm or fight them. He only fought them when they killed Khabab and his wife, for he had to restore order, after they had turned into outlaws.

Thus, Ali (a.s.) did not fight anybody, just because he opposed him. He gave the opposition the right to ask and protest. But when they undermined the general order he had to interfere. It has been reported that one of the Khawarij was listening to the Imam (a.s.), and he exclaimed: "May Allah fight this unbeliever for he is so well vested in jurisprudence". The people wanted to kill him but the Imam (a.s.) asked them to take it easy, for they either curse him back or forgive his sin.

The Imam (a.s.) used to abide by Allah's rulings in his personal affairs too. His entire life was dedicated to the commitment to the right, whether towards his personal affairs, or in the Muslim general affairs. He used to say in this context: "The weak among you is dignified until I bring him back his rights, and the strong among you is weak till I force him to restore the rights of others."

Ali (a.s.) does not recognize class divisions in Islam. He believes that the strong and the weak are equal before the right. He has learnt this from the Prophet (p.) who used to say: "What destroyed those who became before you was that if the noble amongst them stole, they would leave him, and if the weak stole they would inflict the penalty upon Him. By Allah, if Fatima daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand."