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In the present world differing interpretations are made of terms such as equality, justice and freedom while mankind continues to search for the real concept of these terms. We do not have to look for in our quest. There was a person who embodied these and other virtuous characteristics in such a way that his brilliant visage continues to act a lodestar for all seekers of justice, equity, freedom and human rights. He was the ultimate refuge for the oppressed, the paradigm of perfection of faith and he set the most practical model of the government of social justice the world has ever known. He was named Ali or the exalted in honour of the Most High, that is God the Almighty. He was born in the most holy of holies, the Ka’ba that symbolic house of the One and Only Creator, and he was martyred during communion with the Lord, that is during prayer in the Grand Mosque of Kufa, also a house of God. The 63-year span of life that he was blessed with, he such a lasting impact that his name and memory stand forever for all virtuous characteristics for which human beings aspire.

When we study the life of prominent figures, we find people with different thoughts. The Philosopher Plato, the Scientist Louis Pasteur, the Mathematician Pascal, the Poet Hafez, the Historian Herodotus, the Sociologist Ibn Khaldoun, the Researcher Einstein, each one of them a genius in his own field.

But a glance at the life of Imam Ali (AS) reveals the astonishing facts that he embodied all these qualities and many other things as well. It was not for no reason that his mentor, the Almighty’s last and greatest Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny), had said in explicit terms that if anyone likes to see the piety of Noah, the sagacity of Abraham, the steadfastness of Moses, the sublimity of Jesus, should cast a glance at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS). Thus, the natural and God-given talents of Imam Ali (AS) have made him a perfect model of emulation for all eras and for all generations. To quote his own words, he says that at the time of the Prophet’s departure from the world the latter embraced him and opened for him one thousand doors of knowledge and from each door he developed a thousand other doors. Anyone in doubt should refer to the famous saying of the Prophet: “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gateway.”

Thus, since the right way of entering a city is its gate, the correct mode of acquiring wisdom and knowledge is through the lasting legacy of Imam Ali (AS).

A Christian thinker considers the essence of the glory of Imam Ali (AS) to be his extremely high consciousness and alacrity. He believes that this characteristic of the Imam was so powerful that he did not give it up in any work. He sought in everything the most concealed kernel of truth. George Jordaq, Thomas Carlyle, Abdul-Maseeh Antaaki and Sulayman Kettaani are some of the Christian scholars who have eulogized the dynamic personality of Imam Ali (AS), whose portrait the medieval Christian knights of Byzantine used to hang in their halls as symbol of valour and chivalry. These scholars, pointing to the treasure of wisdom that the Imam’s collection of sermons, letters and maxims the book Nahj al-Balagha contains, say: In this book, the creation of thought from thought continues in unbroken and harmonious manner and the reader finds himself enchanted by a chain of inter-linked thoughts. There is no duality in Imam Ali’s writings and sayings. It is like a fresh spring gushing out from the earth and providing equal benefits for all whether in the day or during nighttime.

And the beauty is that he was no visionary of starry-eyed philosopher but a person who practically demonstrated what he preached.

The affection and care for human beings and humanitarian values was an ingredient of the multi-sided dynamism of the personality of Imam Ali (AS). He did not suffice only to helping the poor. Despite being the ruler of realm that spread from North Africa to Central Asia and covers some twenty countries today, it was his habit to drop in incognito at the house of the poor, lit up their furnace, bake bread for them and even play with their children. For the victor of many a decisive battle, the most pleasing sight was a smile on the face of an orphan and tears would roll down his eyes on seeing the deprived being oppressed. Imam Ali (AS) was a picture of magnanimity. For instance, after his victory over the seditionists in the Battle of Jamal near Basra in Iraq, he declared amnesty for all even though the Basrans under influence of the seditionists had openly cursed and derided him. He magnanimously forgave their faults and ordered that none should be taken captive. The scholar, Ibne Shahr Ashoub writes: One day Imam Ali (AS) called his servant several times but heard no answer. The Imam went out of the house to find him when he saw that he was sitting in front of the house. The Imam asked him the reason for not replying. The servant said: "I was tired and was sure of being secure from you." The Imam said: "Glory to God for endowing me with such traits that everyone feels secure with me."

This does not mean that Imam Ali (AS) was not firm and decisive. His judgments are proverbial, while his valour on the battlefield a byword, but not at the cost of humanitarian values. Whenever he saw deviators and the hypocrites trying to distort or weaken the base of truth and religion, the Imam firmly faced them without fear of anything, not even his own life. At the Battle of Siffeen his forces were cut off from the waters of the River Euphrates by the Syrian army of the rebel Mua’wiyah. The Imam launched an attack dislodged the enemy from the river banks but was so magnanimous that he allowed his avowed foes and their animals access to the waters because they were humans after all and entitled to the general bounties of God Almighty, Who does not deprive even atheists and disbelievers from water, air, sunshine and food. He did not even harbour grudge against persons who had usurped his political rights after the Prophet and whenever they were in troubled he helped them out, to the extent the second caliph used to say: "Omar would have perished but for Ali." Thus, Imam Ali (AS) was the perfect vicegerent to Prophet Mohammad (blessings of Allah upon him and his progeny). His great grandson and the Prophet’s 5^th infallible successor, Imam Mohammad Baqer (AS), says: "God gathered all secrets of the knowledge of prophets in His Messenger Mohammad (SAWA) and the Prophet ceded all these to Ali."

Imam Ali (AS) never took anything from the public treasury, and neither did he allow others, especially governors and state officials to misappropriate public funds. The Nahj al-Balagha contains his admonishments when he saw such manipulations and exploitation of the masses. Once when some persons called upon him to discuss personal matters while he was engaged in state work, the Imam snuffed out the lamp burning with oil from the public treasury and lighter another one that was his own one. He was often heard saying: "O gold and silver deceive someone else." It means he was immune to the temptations of the material world. The Egyptian Writer, Mahmoud Aqqadd, regarding the indifference of Imam Ali (AS) towards worldly things, quotes the Mystic, Sofyan Sowri as saying: Imam Ali did not leave even a brick and neither a wooden item. When he made Kufa his capital, he refused to enter the palace and settled the poor there. Today his modest house still stands as a site of pilgrimage for people from all over the world while the palaces of the arrogant are lying in ruins and have been obliterated. The Prophet had forecast the martyrdom of this great soul in Ramadhan. Once the Prophet looked at Imam Ali and wept. When asked the reason he said that the most despicable wretch would strike his cousin and successor and the beard will be dyed in blood. The enmity of the former infidels against Imam Ali (AS) was in fact their malice against the Prophet, and this was the reason that he was cowardly struck on the head while in prayer and martyred by the wretch Ibn Muljam.

The Grand Night

God says in the Holy Qur’an in Surah 97: “Surely We revealed it on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night is? The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gibreel descended in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning.”

The Ayahs of Surah Qadr indicate the Grand Night is more worthy in significance than one thousand months. On this Night angels descended on the ground by the permission of the Almighty and send greetings on human beings. On this Grand Night God Almighty bestows His mercy on His creatures and opens the doors of heaven for their prayers and supplication. On that Night like a drop of an endless ocean, we too can connect ourselves to our Lord. Such a Night is the appropriate time for taking stock of our selves and reviewing our deeds. The Grand Night is an opportunity provided for mankind to be a turning point in life. It is a Night in which we should vigilantly look at our fate and to properly think of what we have done so far. The blessings of the Night spent in thinking and pondering can be more worthy than an aimless life.

The Grand Night has many spiritual and material blessings. As it has been said that on this Night one can seek his or her material needs from Allah. The Grand Night is an opportunity for self-purification. On this Night the All-Merciful Lord forgives and accepts our repentance. Repentance should be accompanied by the resolve not to commit evil acts. There are two returns in repentance. One is the return of the servant to God and seeking His forgiveness and the other is God’s attention and favor to His servant to accept the repentance of His servant.

It is narrated that it was the habit of the Prophet during the last ten days of blessed month of Ramadhan to wrap up his bed, sleep only a little and spend time in prayer. A Hadith says that those who pray sincerely and faithfully on the Grand Night but their sins are forgiven. Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS) says: "Tidings for those who prostrate and bend in Rokou on this night. Those who take into consideration the past errors and shed tears. Such persons are never disappointed from God."

One of the habits of Iranian and other Muslim people in these sacred Nights is their presence in mosques and religious sites.

Performing the recommending prayers and reciting special supplications such as the Jowshan Kabir till the morning hours are some of its features. In this supplication, the attributes of God Almighty are mentioned in an eloquent and beautiful way and reminds human beings of the infinite love of the Lord for His creatures. The Holy Qur’an is also recited during this night.

We beseech God to accept our prayer and to guide us towards the right path.

Leader Pays Homage to Imam Ali (AS)

The multi-sided personality of Imam Ali (AS) has been the source of inspiration for the seekers of truth in every age and generation. Even non-Muslims have been greatly influenced by the dynamism of the cousin, son-in-law and vicegerent of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny). The model government of social justice established by Imam Ali (AS) has inspired nations throughout history, however, none has been able to attain it. In our own times, the Islamic Republic of Iran, by drawing inspiration from the model administration of Imam Ali (AS), has attempted to revive the idea of justice in society. The Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace) was an ardently devotee of Imam Ali (AS), and so is the Present Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, who has conducted extensive studies on the magnetic personality of the Commander of the Faithful. He has urged the officials of the country to try to tread the path shown by Imam Ali (AS).

Ayatollah Khamenei paying his humble homage to Imam Ali (AS), says: "This grand personality, despite the adversity of the times, strove to implement the laws of God in society. Since his youth he was devoted to defending the nascent tree of Islam. He said Imam Ali (AS) thus set an all time example for youths. The role of the Imam during those crucial years of Islam beginning with his voluntary act of sleeping on the Prophet’s bed in order to help the latter depart undetected for Medina on the historic night of Hijra, is one such example. The exuberance of youth displayed by Imam Ali (AS) was manifest in the valour and magnanimity he showed in the frequent armed encounters that Islam had to cope with as a result of enemy attacks. But, pointed out Ayatollah Khamenei, at the same time, the young Imam Ali (AS) was pious and the fountainhead of knowledge and wisdom. He was never separate from the side of his cousin Prophet Mohammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny). In the Holy Qur’an God Almighty has lauded the virtues of Imam Ali (AS). Ayatollah Khamenei then pointed out to the sagacity of the Imam in avoiding political seditions after the passing of the Prophet, despite the fact that the caliphate was his legitimate right and he was moreover ordained as the Imam of Muslims during the last days of the Prophet on the orders of God Almighty, at the famous event of Ghadeer-Khom. He quoted a statement from Imam Ali (SA), saying: “When I saw the situation become dangerous and the mission of the Prophet endangered, I decided to keep myself away from the sedition.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said that at all stages of his even after becoming the head of a state spread from North Africa to Central Asia and which today comprises some twenty countries, Imam Ali (AS) led a simple life. His judgment was proverbial and the instructions that he issued to his governors and commanders are testimony of his being the supreme model of justice. Ayatollah Khamenei said the 4 year and 8 month rule of Imam Ali (AS) presents the perfect example of a truly Islamic government, the world has not yet been able to achieve. He said the Imam gave practical demonstration of what he preached.

Ayatollah Khamenei explaining this characteristic said: From the time the Imam took the reins of government, he showed decisiveness and firmness. That is the when a government is formed in the Name of God and for God and for implementation of divine injunctions, it should never waver from its commitment to the creatures of God. Piety was the base of his belief in God and this was evident in the Imam’s dealing with the people and government officials. Piety means that mankind should never deviate from the right path in his personal deeds. That is he should take care of himself, he should be careful in spending money in dealing with the dignity of human beings, in choices and in talking not to utter any false word.

The other characteristic of the government of Imam Ali (AS) is justice, said Ayatollah Khamenei, adding that this was something completely unique, that is, the Imam’s justice was for all and in all spheres including economic, personal, social, political and moral affairs. For the defense of justice he was ready to bear the sufferings. Among the first measures of Imam Ali (AS) was to create economic justice in the society and this annoyed those who expected too much from the public treasury.

Imam Ali (AS) appointed people according to their efficiencies and paid no attention to the influential persons who merely coveted posts. Ayatollah Khamenei says: "True we cannot compare ourselves to Imam Ali and his model government of justice. But we can follow its example and strive to chose the right direction without being swayed by falsity and personal desires. That is we should bring ourselves close to the direction in which he used to move and to the objective he showed with everyone acting according to his own ability. This is a very significant point."

Bezels of Wisdom From Imam Ali (AS)

His wisdom is proverbial. He was the pride of Solomon in his sagacity to the extent that even Christian scholars of the Arabic language have vouched his eloquence and purity of purpose. His words, as embodied in the immortal book Nahj al-Balagha or Highroad of Eloquence, have been hailed as above the words of man and below only to the revealed word of God Almighty, the Holy Qur’an. The Christian Author and Researcher, George Jordaq in his tribute to Imam Ali (AS), says: "The Imam’s sermons are full of wise thoughts. O’ world, what would have happen if you mobilized your forces to produce in every era a man as great as Imam Ali (AS) in terms of wisdom, moral, expression, eloquence, valour, simplicity, generosity, patience piety and magnitude, for the human societies?”

These are the words of praise from a non-Muslim for the person whose looms larger than life and who continues to transcend the barriers of time. In his statements, the Imam has shown a clear image of the truth and the path that takes mankind to its destination. It seems the Imam has prepared a roadmap for travelers who have a long journey ahead and if they follow it they will surely reach the shores of salvation. When Imam Ali (AS) speaks of the Glory of God and trust in Him he spreads the fragrance of divine reverence to the human soul and adorns the realm of thought with the most interesting terms. In an advice to one of his sons, the Imam says: “I advise you to fear Allah, O’ my child, to abide by His commands, to fill your heart with remembrance of Him and to cling to hope from Him. No connection is more reliable than the connection between you and Allah provided you take hold of it.”

Kumayl was one of the devoted followers of Imam Ali (AS). He says: “One day, the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH) caught hold of my hand and took me to the graveyard. When he had passed through the graveyard and left the city behind, he breathed a deep sigh and said: "O’ Kumayl! These hearts are containers. The best of them is that which preserves (its contents). So, preserve what I say to you. O’ Kumayl, knowledge is better than wealth. Knowledge guards you, while you have to guard the wealth. Wealth decreases by spending, while knowledge multiplies by spending, and the results of wealth die as wealth decays.”

These bezels of wisdom that Imam Ali (AS) bequeathed to Kumayl and to other deserving persons continue to be beacon of guidance for human societies till this day. The Imam attached great significance to contemplation and considered it among the necessities of life. He says in this regard: The one who thinks well will not be humiliated. Place the viewpoints beside each other to extract truth from them.

This wise statement encourages us to shun ignorance and to bask in the blessing of the gift of intellect given by God Almighty to human beings. The Imam also said: Thinking and pondering in works leads to finding the truth while negligence brings destruction.

One day Imam Ali (AS) went to the market of Basra and saw the people engaged in business. They were so engrossed in their trade as it seemed that the curtain of ignorance had covered their eyes. Among the crowd Imam Ali (AS) saw a man who was swearing by God for selling his commodities and through different ploys he tried to sell his goods.

The Imam approached him was asked about the cause, he said: “O servants of the world during the day you are engaged in boding business and swearing and at nights you have slept unaware and you are ignorant from the account of the hereafter.

So when will you prepare yourself for the trip you have ahead and take a provision for it and at what time you will think of the day of resurrection?

Since his childhood, Imam Ali (AS) like a thirsty who comes to a limpid water acquired the Ayahs of the holy Quran and sought the pleasure of the night worship in the recitation of Ayahs from the holy Quran. The Imam considers the holy Quran a deep sea the wonders of which has no end. Regarding this book, Amir al-Muminin says: “Acquire the holy Quran since It is the best saying and ponder in it since It is the Spring of hearts. "

Be aware that the holy Quran is a good-doer, which never makes trick and a guide, which never misleads. Whoever associates with the holy Quran his guidance is enhanced. Recite It well since It is the most useful expression.”

A part of the sea of knowledge and perfections of Ali (AS) can be sought in the precious book of Nahjul Balagha. This book is the book of good living. In addition to containing the guidelines of Imam Ali (AS) in different fields, Nahjul Balagha enjoys the concessions of an excellent literary work. The Sunni Scholar Ebne Abil Hadid in his Explanation to Nahjul Balagha writes: “See the eloquence how it has ceded its control at the hand of Ali. Look at the strange order of words, which are put at his disposal one after another like a spring, which boils from beneath the ground. Praise be to God, a youth grows up in holy Mecca, he had not met with any wise man but his statements are wiser than those of Plato and Socrates.”

Eloquence is observed miraculously in all parts of the letters, sermons and sayings. Ali (AS) has embarked on precious concepts in a beautiful style and consolidated phrases.

Another Sunni Thinker, Sheikh Mohammad Abdeh who has also written an explanation to Nahjul Balagha says:

“Sometimes Ali with his words turns the attention of mankind towards material and spiritual aspects of religion. He describes mankind in a manner that it shakes the brave men and in return describes mercy in a manner which makes the heart of any cruel sad.”

According to Imam Ali (AS), justice is the source of life and without it everything is dead. A society, which does not move towards justice, the high values are faded within it and instead oppression appears. The Imam who was himself an evident symbol of justice swore by God to punish his children if they annoy somebody or take a dinar oppressively from others.

A person named Ashas Ben Qeiss had a difference with a person on an issue. They were scheduled to go to the court and to let Imam Ali (AS) make judgment. Ashas in order to overcome his opposite side in Imam Ali’s court he took a dish of tasty cookies to the Imam’s house as a gift. Imam Ali (AS) was displeased and said: Have you brought this to distort me from the path of truth?

By God if seven lands with what are at heaven given to men to take grain ask from the mouth of ant I will never do this. Your world is worthless than a chewing leave at the mouth of locust.

Ali has nothing to do with the mortal blessings and transient pleasures.”

Once the sun of Imam Ali (AS) was bout to extinguish in order to find out his great personality listen to the advices of this heavenly traveler at the last moments of his life. At those mystical moments Ali (AS) says:

“I advise you and of my children and household and those to whom this will reaches to fear God and to create peace and reconciliation among them. Be aware not to trample the rights of the orphans. Be aware not to let others proceed you in practicing the holy Quran. Perform your prayer, which is the column of your religion. Be kind to each other and forgive each other and not turn back from each other and not remove your friendship.”