Nahjul Balagha holds a very different image of Imam Ali (as) than what I feel the Shi'ah offer. We see a very realistic Ali, and not a mythological eternal figure seen in Shi'i hadith books such as Bihar al Anwar and al Kafi. In NB, we are exposed to Imam Ali (as) as a wise and humble human being. I will outline some little-known facts of Imam Ali (as) using Nahjul Balagha in this post:
Imam Ali (as) did not hate the Companions of the Prophet.
As many Shi'i Muslims hate and curse the companions of the Prophet (pbuh), some even go as far to say that they were apostates, and that Satan himself gave allegience to them. What does Imam Ali (as) say about the companions?
Imam Ali (as) said: "I have seen the companions of the Prophet but I do not find anyone resembling them. They began the day with dust on the hair and face (in hardship of life) and passed the night in prostration and standing in prayers. Sometimes they put down their foreheads and sometimes their cheeks. With the recollection of their resurrection it seemed as though they stood on live coal. It seemed that in between their eyes there were signs like knees of goats, resulting from long prostrations. When Allah was mentioned their eyes flowed freely till their shirt collars were drenched. They trembled for fear of punishment and hope of reward as the tree trembles on the day of stormy wind." (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 96)
Imam Ali (as) is a counsellor, not a politician.
Taken directly from the words of Ali, he says he is best as a counsellor, ie a spiritual guide (Imam) rather than a chief of a nation. It is true; although Imam Ali (as) was probably the most fit to lead the Muslims after the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) due to his wise character, the reality of the issue was that he was not the most liked person around. After the death of Fatima, people began losing respect for Imam Ali (as), so at the crucial time after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), it may have been in best interest that Ali would wait for Caliphate rather than receive it right away. Again, I am in no way saying the first 3 Caliphs were better than Ali, but rather that it is TOO BAD FOR US that many did not give Imam Ali the respect he deserved. But don't take it from me, take it from Ali ibn abi Talib in the following quote -
When people swore allegiance to Ali after Uthman's murder, Ali said:
"Leave me and seek some one else. We are facing a matter which has (several) faces and colours, which neither hearts can stand nor intelligence can accept. Clouds are hovering over the sky, and faces are not discernible. You should know that if I respond to you I would lead you as I know and would not care about whatever one may say or abuse. If you leave me then I am the same as you are. It is possible I would listen to and obey whomever you make in charge of your affairs. I am better for you as a counsellor than as chief." (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 91)
"By Allah, I had no liking for the caliphate nor any interest in government, but you yourselves invited me to it and prepared me for it." (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 204)
Imam Ali (as) loved and seeked unity, not hate:
Many people seek sectarianism and seperatism from other Muslims. We see Sunni Muslim sheikhs calling the Shi'ah heretics, and we see the Shi'ah cursing the wives and companions of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). Who has the truth?
Do we all have the truth? Yes and no. We have the same Qur'an, which is the purest form of tangible proof. But, with our extreme interpretations and opinions, many people of different sects curse personalities when it is totally not recommended to do so. I challenge the Sunni Muslims by saing, what is it about the Shi'ah that make them heretics? O Shi'ah, do you believe cursing the companions brings you closer to Allah and His Messenger?
On the contrary. God, the Qur'an, the Prophet, the Imams, the Companions, and the learned scholars of all sects all emphasized unity among Muslims. No extremist beliefs and no cursing, but rather pure unity, devotion to prayer, love, fasting, and abstinence from sin and temptation.
Imam Ali (as) said, concerning the unity between his followers and the Muslims of Syria: "The thing began in this way: We and the Syrians were facing each other while we had common faith in one Allah, in the same Prophet and on the same principles and canons of religion. So far as faith in Allah and the Holy Prophet was concerned we never wanted them (the Syrians) to believe in anything over and above or other than what they were believing in and they did not want us to change our faith. Both of us were united on these principles. The point of contention between us was the question of the murder of Uthman. It had created the split. They wanted to lay the murder at my door while I am actually innocent of it." (Nahjul Balagha, Letter 58)
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