Important Points in Imam Ali’s Will
This is according to Bakhshali Ghanbari, a Nahj al-Balagha researcher, who discussed social ethics from the viewpoint of Nahj al-Balagha in a series of lectures. Here are excerpts from his remarks in the seventh session:
The principles ruling the life of Imam Ali (AS) in all aspects and fields were based on the Quran and Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
They include his social life and interaction with the society, which can be a great role model for people.
Sermon 149 of Nahj al-Balagha can be described as a “letter of martyrdom”. It is among the last sermons of Nahj al-Balagha but not the last statement of the Imam (AS).
He delivered the sermon to his close relatives and companions on the 20th day of Ramadan, a day after he was struck on the head with a sword.
On the 21st day of Ramadan, before his martyrdom, Imam Ali (AS) called a scribe and read his testament and the scribe wrote it down. He said that this testament should be implemented by Hassan (AS), and in his absence by Hussein (AS), and then my family and then all humans who get access to it. This conduct of Imam Ali (AS) has great lessons for us to learn.
In the first sentence of this sermon, Imam Ali (AS) said: “O people! Every one shall meet what he wishes to avoid by running away. Death is the place to which life is driving. To run away from it means to catch it. How many days did I spend in searching for the secret of this matter, but Allah did not allow save its concealment. Alas! It is a treasured knowledge.”
When you read this sermon, it is as if you are reading a poem. Imam (AS) first says you cannot escape death and that anyone who tries to run away from it will reach it.
Another point is that death is among humanity’s secrets and we have no knowledge about it.
Imam (AS) then says: “As for my last will, it is that concerning Allah, do not believe in a partner for Him, and concerning Muhammad (PBUH), do not disregard his Sunnah.
Imam (AS) knows that Muslims are not Mushrik (polytheist) but here by Shirk he means Riya (hypocrisy).
Imam (AS) says openly that one of the clear examples of Shirk is Riya and that if you want to be good members of the Alavi society, you should destroy the grounds and the culture of Shirk, one of whose manifestations is Riya.
Imam Ali (AS) also emphasizes the need to follow the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah.
There are many books written about the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Islamic society must truly move toward the Nabawi Sunnah, which is what Imam Ali (AS) advises us to do.
