Who is Imam Ali as

Who is Imam Ali? The ruler whose kindness and generosity are acknowledged by Muslims and non-Muslims

Who is the most powerful and most wronged ruler in history? Who was the one who coupled politics and morals? Which ruler never used even the slightest portion of state property for himself and would secretly give food for poor families at nights

The most powerful, yet the most wronged ruler in history

Three apparently contradictory features coexist in the Commander of the faithful (a.s.): Imam Ali (a.s.) is a strong, powerful, and a sovereign man, at the same time, he was wronged; moreover, and at the same time, he is was ultimately victorious during various events. If we want to acquire an accurate understanding of the power and strength of the Commander of the Faithful, we should look to the vast dominions of his government. The large territory which was under the management of the Commander of the Faithful extended as far as present-day Afghanistan to the Mediterranean Sea, and to Egypt. This vast territory was governed by the Commander of the Faithful, and he did so with complete power and solidity. His iron will, his courage, his military might as an art form, his eloquent tongue, and his appealing logic – the Commander of the Faithful's words and addresses, full of enthusiasm and full of wisdom, have provided instructive lessons for all humans to live by to this day – are signs of his strength. His robust physique, intellect, determination, management, and style of rhetoric were all indications of a strong and powerful individual. At the same time, this strong man was wronged. Signs of oppression against him could be witnessed in the behavior of his enemies and the envious. They could be witnessed in the unfair accusations that were leveled against him by the agents of his enemies, during his lifetime, and in the materialistic behavior of some of his companions – a number of his companions and comrades broke away from him because they pursued their materialistic desires. --These are hints of oppression against that great personality. The burdens that were exerted on him from various sides were so vast that this patient, ocean-like heart of a man was so tolerant that he is said to have complained into a well! He would open up into a well! These instances are all indications of the persecution faced by the Commander of the Faithful. After his demise and martyrdom, his enemies – who had seized the government – would insult him for many years at their podiums. They would insult him throughout that vast country; they would speak harshly of the Commander of the Faithful who was the embodiment of piety, justice, and fair-mindedness. Coincidently, when we take a general look at those events, we see in that prolonged battle, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was the final victor. Today, notice where the Commander of the Faithful's name and personality stands in this vast human panorama and history. He stands at the peak, and there is no trace of his enemies. His Nahjul Balaghah is an instructive lesson for heightened individuals. His tradition is the most important and prominent tradition after that of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH). His form of justice and his great personality were outstanding features in this day and age. His cause defeated that of his enemies: he was the final victor.

Non-Muslims astonished by Nahjulbalaghah of Imam Ali (a.s.)

It is necessary to read and learn from Nahjul Balaghah. Recently, many non-Muslim intellectuals have become familiar with Nahjul Balaghah. They have read the words of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.). They have learned from the manifestations of wisdom in his words, and they have been astonished by the greatness of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) and his words. We should pay much more attention to Nahjul Balaghah. We should learn more from its teachings. We should benefit more from Imam Ali's (a.s.) sea of wisdom. Nahjul Balaghah clarified all aspects, and provides us with all the lessons that we need. Sunni scholars have made surprising comments about Nahjul Balaghah. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) does not just belong to Shia Muslims. All Muslims and all those who love Islam see Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) at the peak of scholarly, spiritual, moral, human and divine greatness.

According to the holy prophet of Islam, Imam Ali (a.s.) is the benchmark for recognizing the truth.

The character of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was exceptional from birth to martyrdom. He was born inside the Ka'bah - which was unparalleled before his birth and remained unparalleled thereafter. And he was martyred while he was praying in the mosque. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) spent all the time between these two points in jihad, patience for the sake of God, acquiring knowledge and insight, and moving on the path of divine satisfaction. Early in his childhood, the hand of divine acumen gave Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) to the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was only six years old when the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) brought him to his own house from the house of Abi Talib. The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was educated by the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)... since his childhood. He announced his faith in the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) when he was a child. He prayed with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He engaged in jihad alongside the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). He made sacrifices for the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). During his lifetime, he tried his utmost to administer justice, promote the religion of God and protect Islam before and after the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) passed away. From the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) perspective, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) is the criterion for truth and justice. Shia and Sunni Muslims have quoted the Holy Prophet as saying, "Ali is with truth, and truth is with Ali. Truth revolves around him wherever he is." This was how the lifestyle of the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was.