He went against their advice because he knew that those...

He went against their advice because he knew that those functionaries were promoting their own interests instead of governing according to the norms set by Allah. He had accepted the caliphate only to do away these personal and corrupt coteries. If the Imam (a.s) was interested in his personal power, he could have closed his eyes to the misdeeds of those persons. But in his eyes, personal power and influence had no meaning. His intent was to educate and inform the people about the Islamic norms.

Once he was mending his foot wear when he told Ibn `Abbas: “By Allah! If in my view the establishment of the Truth and the destruction of the Falsehoods was not there, this footwear would be dearer to me than being the ruler.”[1] Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) has described the purpose of his rule in two simple sentences. The first is the establishment of the Truth and the second the destruction of the Falsehood. During his rule, he kept these two things in view.

His main aim was to propagate the Islamic norms and practices. Not only he was firm on his stand, but also he created movement in the stagnant natures of the people with his actions. Although he was not interested in the annexation of other territories, but conquering hearts and developments of the minds is a bigger achievement. No doublets the other rulers annexed large territories and were termed conquerors, `Ali (a.s) tried to put the Islamic society on healthy ground.

Despite all the unrest and mischief in the realm, `Ali (a.s) proceeded with his task of reforming the society. He heard the complaints of the people against their exploitation by the functionaries of the state and removed unnecessary restrictions imposed on the people. He crushed the destructive and disruptive forces and kept an eye on the activities of the functionaries. He fixed the duties and responsibilities of the persons responsible for the collection of zakat .

He abolished the racial discrimination among the people and promoted equality and fraternity among all. `Ali (a.s) had such an ideal society in his view that it should be free of injustice, cruelty, bribery, cheating and other such ills. He promoted legal and societal equity among the people. He wanted to inculcate the sense of responsibility among the people and he used to sound them, from time to time, with his writings and sermons.

At the top of these writings and lectures there used to be an exhortation to the people to adopt piety and a reminder about the Day of Reckoning.