Imam Ali and Political Leadership Released
Publish Date: 6/8/2013 Code: 27680

Imam Ali and Political Leadership Released

The book is the translation of the fourth volume of Mawsu 't aI-Imam 'Ali bin Abi Talib fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunnata wa al-Tar¬ikh, in which the author attempts to collect and examine what¬ever related to Imam Ali's policies and decision-making as well as his political conducts, based on traditional, historical and biographical sources, and Nahj al-Balaghah and its commentaries and the genealogical books. The Persian and Arabic texts of the work are printed in opposing pages

The personality of Imam Ali, the Commander of the Faith­ful, and his sublime thoughts and div­ine practices have always been the focus of Muslims attention as well as that of the scholars of other reli­gions. The same applies to his style of governance, which is the greatest treasure to be used for the organiz­ation of the authentic Islamic civ­ilization within human community.

The present work is devoted to the political methodology and governance of Imam Ali (PBUH).

The book is the translation of the fourth volume of Mawsu t aI-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunnata wa al-Tar­ikh, in which the author attempts to collect and examine what­ever related to Imam Alis policies and decision-making as well as his political conducts, based on traditional, historical and biographical sources, and Nahj al-Balaghah and its commentaries and the genealogical books. The Persian and Arabic texts of the work are printed in opposing pages.

In his discussion of politics, the author, first, examines the subject in its Alawite and Umayyad contexts and, then, goes on to discuss the characteristics of the former. Regarding the fou­ndations of governing over the hearts of people, he elaborates topics relating to administration, culture, economy, society, juri­sprudence, security, war and international affairs. He examines the aspects of each field from the viewpoint of Imam Ali (PB UH) and offers stimulating discussions which, considering the needs of the society, can prove to be effective and practical.

He goes on to defend the statesmanship of Imam Ali (PB­UH) and discusses his isolation and its reasons, which he argues to be the treachery of his close companions, conflicting dem­ands, equitable distribution of resources, the avoidance of res­orting to illegitimate instruments in governance, and three sec­ondary factors. The main discussions of the book are presented in ten chapters.

Chapters one to three, cover such topics as the offer of alle­giance for caliphate made to the Imam and his reluctance to ac­cept the offer, the justice-seeking of the imam, the removal of Uthmans men from power, the return of public funds to the treasury, honesty in politics, the centrality of truth and law, pla­nning, the selection of worthy officials, the avoidance of mak­ing compromises, the shunning of treacherous officials, enco­uragement and punishment, assertiveness, bonding with the people, and harshness and gentleness. The author has tried to offer examples from Imams sayings and mode of conducts for each of the said issues.

Chapter four is devoted to cultural policies. It discusses the development of education and training, preservation of worthy traditions, combating unworthy customs, criticism, avoidance of greeting and welcoming ceremonies, and a truth-oriented approach in the selecting of individuals.    

Chapter five is an examination of economic policies. It cov­ers such topics as the encouragement of working, construction, development, inspection, the prevention of hoarding, the proper collection of taxes, the equitable distribution of public wealth, the protection of weak social classes, and social equality.

Chapter six is devoted to the discussion of social policies. Its topics include justice, rights, freedom, public satisfaction, assi­sting the oppressed, inspection, and social solidarity.

In chapter seven and eight the author deals with subjects such as Imams judicial policies, (the selection of judges, the pro vision of their financial and job security, the removal of deli­nquent judges, and uniform legal procedure). These chapters also deal with the Imams security policy, such as the collection of information, the complete evasion of the enemy, the identif­ication of opportunities, the avoidance of punishment based on mere accusation and suspicion, the avoidance of torture, the shunning of disrespectful behavior, gentleness, and the banish­ment and imprisonment of conspirators.

Chapters nine and ten examine military and administrative policies. They discuss military training, the formation of the army, the exploitation of opportunities, according importance to the spirituality of the soldiers, and the ethics of war, as well as the factors that contribute to the survival and fall of govern­ments, and recommendations with regard to social and political relations.

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