Dherar with deep sorrow said...

Dherar with deep sorrow said: “Like the life of the one whose most beloved one is beheaded at his bosom whose tears have no end and his grief cannot be eased. He then stood up and left.”(2) The supplications of Imam Ali (a.s) are so many that books have been compiled as a collection of his supplications. For nearly every occasion there is a supplication narrated from Imam Ali (a.s), such as the famous Doa’ Kumail, Munajaat Sha’baniyah and numerous other supplications.

There are even specific supplications narrated from Imam Ali to be recited at the time of entering Salat, the wearing of your clothes, sleeping, waking up, eating, drinking etc. 4. Imamul Hakimeen (The Imam of the Rulers) Political and high position in society is a rank that many wishes to have. How many mischievous plots and deceits many people may commit to achieving a political position?

Campaign elections of the candidates for the presidency or even as simple as being a counsellor of a local council are examples that we observe in our day-to-day transactions. Following the Machiavellian political philosophy of ‘the end justifies the means they involve themselves in any type of deceit and fraud and give false promises just to gain a mere seat.

Political position and the ruling of subjects were less valuable for Imam Ali (a.s) than the sneezing of a goat(4) or a worn pair of shoes unless the position will enable him to bring to ease the oppressed or implement social justice. Ibn Abbas narrated: “I saw Ali ibn Abi Talib sitting and repairing his shoes. I said, ‘It is better you spend your time repairing the social affairs.’ He ignored me until he finished with his shoes and then asked me how much the value of his pair of shoes was.

I said that it had no value. He insisted that I may price it as it was. I said: “Well! A fraction of a dirham”!

Imam Ali then said: “By Allah, this pair of shoes is more favourable to me than leading your political affairs unless I can stand a right and diminish a falsehood!”(5) It was in the Land & Environment Court of New South Wales that I heard for the first time that a solicitor was addressing the judge: ‘Your Honor!’ I was then wondering if the ‘honour’ was really to the judge or his position. Would he be still honoured if he had retired?!

What we usually don’t realize is that the honour and respect that people offer to us are metaphoric, it is in fact, the position that they honour not the person.