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Humanity - Islam Guidance

  • A Life of Service: Honoring Imam Ali (A.S)

    The English vocabulary while expansive suddenly finds itself too poor to produce sufficient words to describe the character of Imam Ali (A.S). The examples of his piety are an endless ocean that scholars have devoted their time to seeking. His worship remains the summit of submission to God and his humility: an everlasting illustration of how power can be used in the path of God.
    Most remarkable to those who have studied the praise-worthy life and legacy of Imam Ali (A.S), however, is the fact he lived his in service. Many conscious Muslims should look no further than the absolute examples left by Imam Ali (A.S).  What more does a person requires when choosing a role model than a person who lived a life in service of God, humanity, and the truth?

    In Service of God
    In his final will, Imam Ali (A.S) said, “Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.” Before attempting to engage in various domains of service and activism, one should consider the qualities and levels of our worship. Imam Ali (A.S) provides a model of leadership and service based on the key principles of prayer, fasting, and charity. Prayer is substantial and should be used as a foundation for our work and service. Imam Ali (A.S) was steadfast in the fulfillment of his prayers and fasts. Neither power nor other responsibilities distracted him from this duty.  In fact, Imam Ali (A.S) was the kind of man that could only be assassinated in his prayers because even his enemies were aware just how engrossed in prayer he would become.
    During the Battle of Siffin, Imam Ali (A.S) would despite the danger, spread his prayer mat between two rows of fighters and perform his prayers even as arrows rained from all sides. He did not display fear of the arrows, nor the ongoing battles surrounding him.  He would then complete his prayers and remain on the prayer mat to perform additional supplications. What does this teach us? The most significant lesson we can gain from this is that conviction and submission to Allah (S.W.T) are not defined by circumstances. Rather, they are a set of principles that we must protect and value as individuals before attempting to impose them upon others through our service and leadership.

    In Service of Humanity
    Imam Ali (A.S) said, “Verily part of worship is to talk to people in a gentle manner and to spread the greeting of peace among them” (Ghurar al-Hikam).
    Unfortunately we live in a profane society that many of us have subconsciously grown to tolerate and accept. While we may not use cursing to get our points across to others, we find little issue with degrading, humiliating, and disrespecting others who may disagree with us. How is it that we who run small and insignificant projects and organizations find the audacity to treat other humans with such disgrace and yet the man who at one point led the Islamic world, spoke to even his enemies with the utmost respect?
    Imam Ali’s commitment to humanity and just leadership is recognized by Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. In 2002, the United Nations used quotes and sayings by Imam Ali (A.S) in its report on Arab Human Development in hopes of inspiring its leaders to move towards treating citizens with respect and justice. Among the sayings quoted in the report was one that focuses on qualities of those who should lead others, “He who has appointed himself an Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by teaching himself before teaching others. His teaching of others must be first by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches and educates others.”

    Derived from: Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission

  • A Probe into Imam Ali’s (A.S) Government

    Humanity as the Core
    The religion of Islam is dedicated towards the human being and ensuring a productive life in this world and the Hereafter. Since Islam was at the core of Imam Ali’s (A.S) leadership, the human being becomes a core automatically.
    The Imam (A.S) did not segregate between the social classes. The Imam (A.S) was often seen roaming the streets of Kufa like everyone else. He did not need the army to protect him. He did not require a showy parade to inform people that he was passing by. In fact, many times, the people who interacted with him did not even recognize him. The Imam (A.S) used to help them. The Imam (A.S) used to protect them. One recalls the time where he brought food for a widow and her children and how he played with orphans. The Imam (A.S) was part of his people.
    He cared about the poor very much. His representative in Basra, Othman ibn Hunaif Al Ansari, was once invited to a feast by a rich person. When Imam Ali (A.S) knew about the invitation, he sent a letter to his representative condemning this act [feasting with the rich while the poor have no place in that]. (Nahjul Balagha, Letter 45)
    The Imam (A.S) worked very hard to ensure that no person felt on the outside of the community. Even if the person was not a Muslim, the Imam (A.S) wanted everyone to feel welcomed.
    The Imam (A.S) was once walking in the streets, and he passed by a Christian beggar. His question was, “What is this?” When they told him that he is an old Christian man who cannot work and is asking people for help, the Imam (A.S) replied and said, “you [the Muslim community] used him [in his youth] and when he became old, you left him.” Then the Imam (A.S) assigned a salary for him from the treasury, the same way he did with Muslims. (Wasail al-Shia)
    The question the Imam (A.S) raised in the previous story sheds light on yet another important aspect of his government. Note that the Imam (A.S) did not ask about the identity of the beggar; rather, he asked about the situation. (What, not who, is this?) In other words, the Imam (A.S) rendered begging as uncommon during his rule, and in fact it was. Imam Ali (A.S) fought poverty and begging by providing the three most essential needs for humans, independent of who they were: shelter, water, and sustenance (usually in the form of jobs). Unemployment was almost nonexistent during the Imam Ali’s (A.S) rule.

    This article borrowed from Islamic Insight.

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