The Justice of Imam Ali (As)

In this article, you’ll know about Imam Ali a.s Justice and his efforts toward the rule of Law. His devotion towards Allah’s Holy Prophet’s teachings and Quran as a Ruler.

The Name of Equality and Justice Imam Ali (A.S.)

Justice is the ultimate objective and wish of men who care about the worth of people. Even though it’s part of human nature to like it, many people don’t care about it. Because plenty of demands might get in the way of doing what’s suitable for everyone, theoretically, if you look at Justice at its highest level, you might think it can’t be reached. Is it feasible to act based on the complicated rules of pure Justice? If so, how does the theory explain it? How does man speak to these values?

Imam Ali a.s is the best example of pure Justice. He was a pure Ruler of equality and Justice during his time.

When some criticized Imam Ali’s Justice wealth sharing, he replied:

(i) If this wealth had belonged to me, I would have distributed it equally among the populace, but since it belongs to Allah, everyone should share it.

(ii) Distributing wealth to undeserving people wastes it. The Quran says.

Avoid needless spending. Satan’s brothers are the squanderers

 (iii) Inequitable wealth distribution creates a group of selfish people who surround the people & steal money from them through flattery and unwarranted praise, making them embarrassed in the eyes of Divine Justice.

Imam Ali adds: “Unjustifiable and unworthy donations may enhance a man’s status in his earthly environment, but he is terribly disgraced in the eyes of Allah. One that utilizes money in evil ways and on wrong people is deficient, by the Lord, of the appreciation of the people over whom he has utilized; these unworthy recipients typically turn against him, and at moments of trouble and necessity, he recognizes them as his greatest rivals, condemning his deeds and criticizing him for his expensive grants”.

Justice in Property and Possession matters:

After the Holy Prophet (pbuh), people moved beyond Islamic principles of social equity to the point that Caliph Usman luxuriously awarded his family assets from public property. Discrimination and favouritism angered the people who killed him and vowed devotion to Imam Ali.

The Supreme Commander of the Believers, Imam Ali A.s, revolutionized the system and eliminated all irregularities to stabilize state affairs. Thus, unlawful promotions and dismissals were revoked, and unjustly acquired properties were forfeited.

Imam Ali a.s stated about Justice:

By Allah! If I had known about this public wealth, even if it was used to pay women’s dowers or buy slave ladies, I would have seized it.

No Arab-Non-Arab distinction:

Two women collected their Baytul Mal (Public Treasury) shares. They were Arab and non-Arab. Imam Ali a.s shared equally as usual. People who didn’t understand Islam objected to the Imam’s Justice. They objected to equalizing Arabs and non-Arabs. “I found no difference between the two,” the Holy Imam a.s stated.

Due to this strict upholding of equity and his treatment of people of all classes without a difference, self-centred people and violators became critical of Imam Ali’s policies and justice administration. Still, their arrogant tactics and criticisms could not discourage him from faith and Divine Justice. He was one of the lucky ones who didn’t mind bogus criticism.

The quranic verse about justice:

Believers, if you turn away from your faith, consider that Allah could bring other people who would adore Him as they do, be kind to believers and unbending with unbelievers, and strive in Allah’s way without fear of slander.

Nahj al-balaghah about the state:

For individuals unfamiliar with Islam but familiar with other religions, it is puzzling why a holy figure would devote himself to such issues. Aren’t such issues worldly? Shouldn’t a sage avoid world and social issues?

Imam Ali’s a.s spirit absorbed Islam’s principles and commandments. Thus, Imam Ali’s a.s behaviour is not surprising—it would have been surprising if he hadn’t been.

The Quran says in regard of justice:

“In this scripture, all Prophets are tasked with establishing Justice. All prophetic missions attempt to uphold Justice. Thus, how could Imam Ali (a.s), whose mission was to interpret the Quran and explain Islam’s beliefs and practices, have neglected or downplayed this matter?

The Nahj al-balanghai addresses many issues related to the rule of Law and Social Justice, some of which we will consider below. The first is the worth and necessity of a state.

Imam Ali a.s, such as other holy men and spiritual figures, hates worldly authority and political positions as humble and degrading when used to satisfy the desire for strength and political ambition. When sought as an end in itself and aspired to as a life ideal, he despises it.

He considers such power worthless and more disgusting than a pig’s bone in a leper’s hand.’ However, he is willing to fight any opportunist and political adventurer looking for power and illegitimate wealth, during Imam ‘Ali’s a.s. Caliphate, ‘Abd Allah ibn al-‘Abbas came to him. He was repairing his old footwear. Imam Ali a.s. asked, “How much is this shoe worth?” Ibn al-‘Abbas said, “Nothing.”

“But rather, the same slipper is of more worth to me than authority over you if it were not a means for establishing justice, retrieving the rights of the deprived, and wiping out evil practices,” answered Imam Ali a.s.

Dead Count

In the era of Ignorance, larger tribes were more respected. A tribe counted their dead to verify their size after a dispute about numbering their members. Thus, the following Quranic passage was revealed.

Pride of abundance occupies you until death. 

This implies that luxury and workforce have blinded your vision to the point where you count the dead at their graves and take the dead at their graves and take pride in it.

After reciting the surah, Imam Ali a.s condemned the behaviour.

Salman Farsi spoke at another event where everyone boasted of their tribe, race, and pedigree. Despite his humble origins, Salman Farsi was trained by the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh). He confidently stated, “You people should have nothing to do with my family background.” I realize that I was far from the right direction, yet beneath the direction of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), I followed the guidance, which is my one honourable thing.

He silenced them by proving that Islamic theology and Allah’s eyes view everybody as equal and that such arrogant claims are worthless.

Uncompromising Justice:

Politicians have traditionally used favouritism, nepotism, partiality, and bribes to silence critics. Now a man who hated these things commanded the Caliphate’s fleet. His goal was to resist this style of politics. Politicians were naturally dissatisfied with Imam Ali’s a.s start. Their disappointment turned into subversive plans against Imam Ali’s a.s regime, causing him many problems.

For higher purposes, well-meaning people asked Imam Ali (a.s) to be more flexible in his policies. “Extricate yourself from the ruses of these demagogues, as is said,’ sewing the dog’s mouth with a big morsel’. These are influential people, some of whom are from the elite of the early days of Islam. Your real enemy is Mu’awiyah, who is in command of a rich and productive region like Syria. The lesson lies in setting aside, for the time being, issues of equality and Justice.

What harm is there in it?

Imam Ali (a.s) replied:

Do you ask me? By God! I can’t do it for so long as the universe exists and stars follow each other. As long as the universe is ordered, I won’t. I would divide it reasonably even if it were mine, so why not as God’s trustee?

That blessed Imam [Imam Ali a.s] was worthy of crucial responsibilities beyond politics and rule. If he had succeeded in politics and government, He wouldn’t have earned the significant title of ‘King of Sainthood.’ He ruled spiritually well beyond

the outward and political Caliphate became a Universal Master, ruling spiritually till the world’s end.

Justice to Buy People for Favor

Imam Ali’s well-wishers advised him to give the highest-ranking leaders of the tribe of Quraysh and other wealthy individuals a higher share than the enslaved people and non-Arabs because if he didn’t, they would rebel and join Mu’awiya.

Imam Ali a.s asked: “Should I waste the wealth and assets of the State Fund in purchasing the people to gain their support? If I pay someone, he will turn against me if the other side offers more. Thus, we must uphold fairness and never use money or threats to recruit others. I’ll never do that whether someone supports me or not. Holy Imam, a.s used this strategy. He didn’t want to win over the public by being dishonest.

Even One Loaf is Fairly distributed.

Imam Ali distributed some goods. He kept the crowds at a distance with ropes and divided the whole thing among the tribe officials. He found one piece of bread in a container later. Like the other property, he divided it into seven equal portions and handed one piece to each tribe.

Asking His Guest to leave:

Imam Ali a.s. Hosted a man. He told the Holy Imam a.s about his dispute with another man. The Holy Imam a.s advised the guy, “Up to this point, you’ve been my guest for the day, but as you have turned into a participant in a conflict with another individual, you must depart now, due to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) telling me not to invite anyone of the disputants as a guest until the other party is also a guest of yours, due to the fact that hospitality can be one thing while coming to an equitable as well as impartial decision is another. Sympathy and Divine law control hospitality and case judgment.”

Thus, one should avoid emotional and psychological issues to avoid being influenced by them when administering Justice.

“Regardless of the area you go to, you must plan to stay along the river yet refrain from staying with anybody in any way since you being a visitor will impact your legal duty of collecting the tax,”. Imam Ali a.s advised the tax collector.

Imam Ali’s Justice for the Households:

Here is an incident that depicts the justice in the routine and domestic life of Imam Ali as. Imam Ali’s brother ‘Aqil a.s and his children visited him. Starvation paled on their faces. He requested a higher portion from the Public Fund. Seeing his brother’s children in distress affects a man naturally. But,” Imam Ali a.s replied, holding a red-hot iron near him. “Now, like you are frightened of the pain caused by this burning iron, I am afraid of the Day of Judgement, so brother, I can’t give any extra portion of wealth.

Nothing Like That Happens.

Famous people either buy their needs personally or send someone else. To get better items at a reduced price, a person informs the store owner that a renowned guy needs the item. This may involve bribery or taking advantage of one’s official position. Thus, all well-to-do individuals take the best things from marketplaces at a reduced price and leave low-quality goods for everyone else to acquire at a higher price. Only Imam Ali a.s bought his needs from a merchant who didn’t know him or sent someone else to buy them.

His Justice in His Rivals view:

The Holy Imam a.s proved so charitable in giving away his wealth that even His opponent Mu’awiya remarked that if Imam Ali a.s possessed two rooms, one full of wealth and the other of gold, he would give away either.

Undue criticism of Imam Ali a.s:

Talha and Zubair believed in giving extra protocol to the Holy Prophet’s companions. Therefore, they criticized Imam Ali a.s regarding his Public Treasury and other dealings. “Why do you not involve us?” they asked the Holy Imam a.s.

After describing his promptness, skill, fairness, and style, Imam Ali a.s replied, “By Allah, I never craved the power or kingship for its sake only. I accepted because you all requested me. After accepting it, I ruled according to the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet’s Sunnah. I never needed anyone’s help following the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet. I’ll always ask you and other Muslims for advice.

Regarding your concerns regarding wealth sharing, I am following the Holy Qur’an & the teachings of the Holy Prophet. You and I know Allah revealed this notion of equal income distribution to the Holy Prophet, who taught us. You and I must accept Allah’s command. Thus, you and everyone else cannot blame me.

Use Paper Economically:

“Sharpen the point of your pen,” Imam Ali a.s wrote to his authorities. Reduce line spacing. To preserve paper, write. The nation’s Budget needs to be able to afford unnecessary spending on paper.

Imam Ali’s statement on Justice and oppression is intriguing. The Holy Imam a.s continues this speech. “I bear Allah as my witness that I prefer to pass sleepless nights over the sharp thorns of prickly plants or to suffer the most terrible kinds of harm and abuse instead of stand before my Lord and the Holy Prophet on the Day of The decision as a tyrant who has persecuted any person or as an occupier who has wrongfully seized the property of somebody else.

Why should I exploit someone to comfort my decaying body that will rest in a cemetery for a long time? By Allah, I will never steal an ant’s skin from a single grain of barley. I consider this world worthless. Ali doesn’t care about worldly comforts, wealth, or luxury. I need His protection to avoid being wicked and irresponsible.

 Justice in every aspect of Imam Ali’s life.

Imam Ali a.s said what he did was the same in this case. He wasn’t like people who talk a lot but don’t do what they say. He said these things because they are genuine to who he is, which is what makes up his unique personality. Imam Ali a.s was kind to people more than anyone else, and he never hurt anyone. He showed himself to others to help them and thought that giving up was just part of his life.

His whole life was devoted to helping the poor and powerless so that he could get their rights from tyrants who thought they had the right to take other people’s rights because they were from royal families or because they were black. His life was so great that Muslims and people in the top positions of humanity were surprised.

Imam Ali A. was fair, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. If he weren’t fair, it would have come as a surprise. The stories that have been told about his Justice are some of the most essential things in human history, and people should feel proud of them. There are many examples of how he was, and we chose a few to show how he was throughout his life.

1-Once, a guy complained about Imam Ali a.s to Umar, the caliph. Umar called them both to him and said, Ya Abul Hassan a.s, come here!” Stand right next to the other side. Imam Ali’s face showed signs of his anger. Umar then asked him if he didn’t want to stand next to the other guy. Imam Ali a.s said, “No.” It’s not true. But I’ve noticed you have yet to treat me and my rival similarly. You’ve called me my name. ( Kuniyat ) and has treated me with respect, but you have not done the same for him.

2 -During the Siffin War, Muawiya’s army blocked the way to the Euphrates for Ali’s army so that they would give up from thirst. However, when Ali took control of the river’s bark, he did not stop Mu’awiya’s army from using the water. As far as Mu’awiya was concerned, there were many other events like this, but we can’t go into depth here. All these things show that, as his heavenly soul required, he was compassionate regardless of his rivals and fair and generous to everyone.

Imam Ali‘s a.s words and deeds show that he had a full and robust faith in what he did. This was because everything he did came from his knowledge and skill. Because Imam Ali a.s was perfect, and everything he said and did follow what the Prophet of Islam (pbuh) said and did. So, he had no doubts about what he thought and what he did.

 

Benefits of justice:

Justice promotes social order by ensuring individuals are held accountable for their actions.

Justice ensures fairness and equality in the treatment of individuals.

Justice protects the fundamental rights and liberties of individuals.

Justice provides a structured and impartial mechanism for resolving disputes and conflicts.

Justice acts as a deterrent to potential criminals by imposing appropriate punishments for illegal activities.

Justice fosters trust in the institutions responsible for upholding and enforcing the law, such as the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.

A justice society promotes economic development by ensuring a level playing field for businesses and individuals.

Conclusion:

As a Muslim nation, we all struggle in our lives and our countries; the main reason behind this lousy situation of the ummah is that we have Lost the teaching of the Prophet (pbuh) And Our Imam Ali A.s.

There is no Rule of Law in our societies. We don’t respect each other; we don’t divide wealth so that no one remains hungry in our states. We all are corrupt.

We pretend to be Muslims, but we don’t follow Islam and Quran as our rule book; if we want to stand up as a nation again and demand a saviour, Imam Al Mahdi from Allah, we must first follow the basics of Islam.