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Messenger of Allah (s) said: ‘The people of my household are as the stars, which ever one of them you seek guidance from, you will be guided.'
The Prophet of Islam The Best Leader for mankind Print
Sunday, 13 February 2005
Page 4 of 7

Imam Ali's Management of Government

For a few years, the government was in the hands of Imam Ali when he was in the city of Kufa. Kufa was a large city, and according to some chroniclers, its area exceeded 500 squared kilometres. Kufa was also the capital city of Imam Ali. History has recorded that during Imam Ali's reign of four years and few months, an unprecedented incident took place. Closely examining history, no other accounts similar to this incident ever occurred during Imam Ali's reign. One day Imam Ali was crossing a street in Kufa and noticed someone begging. Imam Ali asked, "What is this?"  Someone, who was not well versed with Islam, replied, "This beggar is a Christian man who has grown old and can no longer work, so he begs."  Perhaps the man might have thought it made a difference to the Imam if the beggar was non-Muslim, whereas from Islam's perspective, this made no difference.  Some people today might not know these things; and seeing the negative actions of Muslims and how they treat peoples of other faiths, might not believe such historical incidents that portray the beauty and tolerance of Islam. They wonder that if such accounts did occur, why Muslims do not act accordingly.

Imam Ali, disturbed by the Christian man's condition and the reply he received, admonished his companions, and said, "You took advantage of him (during his youth), and when he grew old and disabled, you abandoned him!"

Is there a country in the world today that is free of beggars? If we look at the richest country in the world, we would still find many beggars and poor people. While the degree of poverty and the proportion of impoverished people vary from one country to another, poverty exists everywhere. Some countries have many poor people and beggars, others have less. As we all know, even in the most advanced countries and under the most sophisticated laws of our time, we still find beggars. Meanwhile in Islam, beggars and poverty, amongst other social problems, are not (pushed aside because they are) considered personal problems, for there is no room for begging in an Islamic country.

Islam: For this Life and the Hereafter

Islam is not only concerned about the Hereafter. Islam is also concerned about conferring humankind with the felicity of this life as well. Islam means:

When Prophet Mohammad was in Medina, and even when he was in Mecca but did not have authority over the people, he called onto the people,

"Heed my call and you will be kings in this world and in the hereafter."[12]

The Prophet meant that if you adopt Islam as a way of life, you will find the felicity of this life and the hereafter. This world will be as a paradise to you, and in the hereafter you will end up heaven.

Similarly, Imam Ali's government represented the authentic and accurate form of Islam, theoretically and practically, it was not an Islamic government by name only, as the Prophet described the ‘Islamic' faith of some peoples when he said, "There will come a time upon my nation in which nothing of Islam will remain but its name."[13] 

Therefore, practicing the genuine Islam, Imam Ali ordered that the Christian beggar be paid a salary enough for his living from Bayt-al-Mal, or the Muslim treasury.

The Prophet of Islam did indeed present the world this gift that carries with it the bliss for humankind. When Imam Mahdi will reappear, God's promise will be fulfilled, as stated in the Qur'an, "To proclaim it (Islam) over all religions." [14]  At that time the banner of Islam will spread across the entire world, and all will join Islam.


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