ISLAM is a great revolutionary religion and Islamic society a revolutionary society committed to promote certain values in life with a view to establishing God’s kingdom on earth. Among the great luminaries who kept alive the cardinal principles of the revolution that Islam had ushered in, and cherished the values it had sought to establish, the exalted personality of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) stands out distinctly.

Hazrat Ali possessed comprehensiveness of character, chastity and piety, so essential to promote the Divine mission of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). With his unmatched attributes of chivalry and valour, knowledge and wisdom, justice and virtuous deeds, he was an embodiment of the noblest human characteristics combined with Divine gifts and a perfect model of upbringing and tutorship of the Holy Prophet.

Among countless virtues Hazrat Ali possessed, he had a deep knowledge and insight of religious, moral, social, political and even mathematical matters. His personality stands out unmatched in his understanding of the Holy Quran and the true significance of the concept and practice of Islam.

The value of life lies in quality which is determined by the purpose with which it is lived. Allah directed the destiny of man through His chosen prophets who were immune from any fault or error. The object was to make man obey His Commands and to make his life meaningful and well-deserving. The prophets of God revealed to the world a perfect code of life as a guide to man’s steps towards the path of subservience and obedience to the Will of the Lord of the Universe. They exposed the mankind to the full-fledged system of life leading to virtuous conduct based on righteousness, piety, justice and fair play.

Of all the Divinely revealed religions, Islam marked the perfection of Divine communication and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) embodied the finality of prophethood to serve as a beacon of light and guidance for the whole of mankind to the end of time. His way of life was the model of a perfect and ideal blending of piety and the fear of God. He would fervently pray for bestowing on him the celestial wealth of sublimity, spirituality and the fear of Allah.

The great personality of Hazrat Ali had inherited the qualities of the Holy Prophet in head and heart. He led his life strictly in accordance with the teachings and tenets of Islam. He once asked Hazrat Muhammad as to what was his sunnah. The Prophet said that: “Remembrance of God is my Friend; Reason is the root of my Faith; Love is my Foundation; Enthusiasm is my Horse; Knowledge of God is my Capital; Firmness is my Treasure; Sorrow is my Companion; Science is my Weapon; Patience is my Mantle; Contentment is my Booty; Poverty is my Pride; Devotion is my Art; Conviction is my Power; Truth is my Redeemer; Obedience is my Sufficiency; Struggle is my Manner; And my pleasure is in my Prayer.”

From his childhood right up to his martyrdom on 21st Ramazan 40 A.H., the entire life pattern of Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib was a symbol of the Islamic values. In pursuing the Divine path, Hazrat Ali demonstrated an unparalleled devotion and self-sacrifice. When in worship at night, he cut himself off from everything else with tears streaking through his face and praying for the pleasure of God, and during day time he was active among the people.

The first principle of Islamic polity is that Amir and the Millat cannot touch the Divine Law based on the Holy Quran. The Apostle and Amir both are subject to God’s commands and cannot change or modify the Law of Allah. From the passing away of the Holy Prophet from the earthly scene up to the present time, amongst all rulers, Hazrat Ali set an outstanding example of a person who ruled in accordance with the method of the Holy Prophet and never deviated from the standard laid down by the Prophet of Islam. He enforced the Islamic laws and regulations in the same manner in which the Holy Prophet had done it.

In the social environment, his life was very simple. During the lifetime as well as after the departure of Prophet Muhammad from the worldly scene, he lived a life of an ordinary man. He himself laboured to earn his living. He tilled the land, planted trees and sank subterraneous canals for irrigation. His food, clothing and home were no better than those of the poorest of the poor. Though he was Head of the Islamic state, he possessed only 700 dirhams on the day of his martyrdom. He used to say: “The Head of the State should lead his life in such a humble manner that it should be a source of consolation to those who are needy and distressed and not that it should give a feeling of deprivation so as to make them suffer from desperation”.

Hazrat Ali practised what he preached. In running the affairs of the state he believed in the administration of justice and fair play. In his letter to the Governor of Egypt, he highlighted the golden rules of successful administration in these words: “Your richest treasure is the good deeds; never take a coward, miser or inexperienced as your counsel; in case of difference of opinion among you, turn to the Book of God and the traditions of the Prophet; exercise great care in revenue administration to ensure the prosperity of those who pay the revenue to the State; prevent traders from hoarding; fear God when dealing with the problems of the poor; spend best of your time in communion with God; do justice squarely regardless of the fact whether one is a relation or not; and lastly, perform everything in its proper time”. History bears it out that during his caliphate he directed all internal and external affairs of the Islamic State strictly on the pattern enunciated above.

As we observe the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) today, let us resolve to follow in his footsteps and mould our lives according to the example set by the great personality of Amir al-Mominin (A.S.).