ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Black Thursday Part 7: Glimpses of the Imam’s life I have pointed out many incidents in the previous sections which show the love of Imam (a) to the Book of Allah and Prophetic Practice ( Sunnah ). He always engaged himself in following the two. His peace treaties and battles were in accordance with commandments of holy Quran. He behaved with his friends and enemies as ordered by holy Quran and Prophetic Practice.

Let me quote the following excerpts of the Imam’s character, which are narrated by great Muslim historians. Constitution of His Government The following letter was written to Malik Ashtar Nakhai. I would request the readers to read this letter of Imam ‘Ali (a) carefully because Imam (a) has explained the constitution of Islam in this letter. In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

These are the orders issued by the creature of Allah, ‘Ali, the son Abu Talib (a) to Malik, the son of Ashtar when he appointed Malik as the Governor of Egypt to collect Zakat there, to combat the enemies of Islam and Egypt, to work for the welfare of its people and to look after its prosperity. Be it known to you, O Malik, that I am sending you as Governor to a country, which in the past has experienced both just and unjust rule.

Men will scrutinize your actions with a searching eye, even as you need to scrutinize the actions of those before you, and speak of you even as you did speak of them. The fact is that the public speaks well of only those who do good. It is they who furnish the proof of your actions. Hence the richest treasure that you may covet should be the treasure of good deeds.

They are subject to infirmities and liable to commit mistakes. Some indeed do commit mistakes. But forgive them even as you would like God to forgive you. Bear in mind that you are placed over them, even as I am placed over you.