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The Caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s) and his method of rule 1 - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief The Caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s) and his method of rule 1 2024-05-04 968 Views Imam Ali , History of Shia , Imamate The caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s) began toward the end of the year 35/656 and lasted about four years and nine months. During his period as Caliph, Imam Ali followed the ways of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) and brought conditions back to their original state.

He forced the resignation of all the incompetent political elements who had a hand in directing affairs and began in reality a major transformation of a “revolutionary” nature which caused him innumerable difficulties. On his first day as Caliph, in an address to the people, Imam Ali (a.s) said: “O People, be aware that the difficulties which you faced during the Apostolic period of The Holy Prophet of God (s.a.w.a) have come upon you once again and seized you.

Your ranks must be turned completely around so that the people of virtue who have fallen behind should come forward and those who had come to the fore without being worthy should fall behind. There is both truth (Haqq) and falsehood (Batil). Each has its followers, but a person should follow the truth. If falsehood is prevalent it is not something new, and if the truth is rare and hard to come by, sometimes even that which is rare wins the day so that there is the hope of advance.

Of course, it does not occur often that something which has turned away from man should return to him.” Imam Ali (a.s) continued his different type of government based more on righteousness than political efficacy but, as is necessary in the case of every movement of this kind, elements of the opposition whose interests were endangered began to display their displeasure and resisted his rule.

Basing their actions on the claim that they wanted revenge for the death of Uthman, they instigated bloody wars which continued throughout almost all the time that Imam Ali (a.s) was Caliph. From the Shia point of view, those who caused these civil wars had no end in mind other than their own personal interest. The wish to revenge on the blood of the third Caliph was no more than an excuse to fool the crowd. There was no question of a misunderstanding.

After the death of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a), a small minority, following Imam Ali (a.s), refused to pay allegiance. At the head of the minority, there were Salman, Abu Dharr, Miqdad, and Ammar.