Although these people were among the allegiants...

Although these people were among the allegiants, they began opposition with Imam Ali (a.s.) from the beginning, facing the newly-established Alawite government with three devastating wars; Jamal, Siffiyn, and Nahrawan. Imam Ali (a.s.) could do nothing but defense against these civil wars and stop the seditions.

This way, the realization of Divine Justice, Imam Ali (a.s.), found little opportunity to lead the government in the direction of genius Islamic purposes, such as justice, equality, fighting prejudices, removing social gap, and defending the oppressed poor people. Finally, Imam Ali (a.s.) was martyred by one of hypocrite people when worshipping and the pretty call of equality was silenced forever. Reviewing these three devastating wars requires a wider opportunity.

The readers interested in historical discussions can refer to Islamic history books. Texts Proving His Imamate As mentioned before, the reasons for Imamate are of two kinds. The first kinds of reasons are general reasons used for proving the Imamate of every infallible Imam, which are not mentioned again here. The second kinds of reasons are the ones mentioned by each Imam for the Imam after him. In biography of infallible Imams (a.s.), including Imam Ali (a.s.), we cite only these reasons.

As pointed out in previous sections, the honorable Messenger of Allah (S) prepared the conditions for Imam Ali’s (a.s.) Imamate during his prophetic mission. He frequently emphasized the virtues of Ali (a.s.), recommending his companions to follow Ali (a.s.) as caliph. Finally, (S) officially appointed Ali (a.s.) to wilayat (guardian) of the Muslims during his Hajjatul wida’ (last Hajj pilgrimage) in Ghadir Khum.

Some of the traditions about this issue were cited in previous sections, which are not repeated here. The eager readers can refer to those sections and other related books. Virtues and Ethics As testified by tradition and history books, Imam Ali (a.s.) was a perfect human and the realization of all ethical virtues in the best possible way and he was away from any vices and evilness.

His enemies avoided publishing of his virtues, vilifying and cursing him in sermons and from atop tribunes for many years. His friends could not talk about his virtues for the fear of the enemies, who killed everyone demonstrating Shi’ism. Nevertheless, the Sunni and Shi’ah books are replete with his virtues.