Justice; Axis of Imam Ali’s Human-Centered Governance
Haider Rahim, head of the Media Department of the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Ali (AS) holy shrine, made the remark in an interview with IQNA on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the first Imam (AS), adding that examining Imam Ali’s (AS) life in Nahj al-Balagha can be a guide for today’s society.
Stressing that Imam Ali (AS) treated justice as the foundation of government, not a political choice or tactic, he said all people are equal in rights and responsibilities and no discrimination based on lineage, social status or proximity to power is permissible.
“Therefore, Imam Ali (AS) practically implemented equality in the distribution of the treasury and in the auditing of officials, even when this approach led to the loss of some of his followers.”
He added that from the perspective of Imam Ali (AS), any government that is not based on justice will eventually lead to weakness and collapse, and preserving human dignity is the surest way to safeguard the unity and stability of society.
Behavioral characteristics of Imam Ali (AS) in preserving religion from distortion
As for the behavioral characteristics of Imam Ali (AS) in preserving religion from distortion and worldliness, Haider Rahim stated that the most prominent behavioral characteristic of Imam Ali (AS) was true piety accompanied by responsibility. “He was not a reclusive ascetic, but a ruler who understood the pain of the people and audited himself before holding others accountable. This practical asceticism prevented the misuse of religion for worldly interests and showed that the one who is responsible for leading the nation should be far from greed, privilege, and worldly attachments.
He also referred to Imam Ali (AS)’s concern for the family and raising children, saying the Imam (AS) considered the family to be the main foundation of society.
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“This view is clearly seen in his recommendations and behavior in the family environment; where he emphasized moral education, honesty, responsibility, and respect for others. He believed that social deviations begin with weakness in education and that an informed family is the first and most important support for raising a healthy generation loyal to values.”
Regarding Imam Ali’s (AS) view of government and power, Haider Rahim said that from the perspective of Imam Ali (AS), government is not a goal but a means to establish justice and serve the people.
“He did not consider power to be for dominance and self-supremacy, but rather a heavy responsibility and saw the value of a ruler in being close to the oppressed and away from personal interests. With this view, he presented a model of pure, just, and accountable governance.”
The Position of Knowledge in Nahj al-Balagha
He further explained about Imam Ali’s (AS) recommendation in Nahj al-Balagha regarding the position of knowledge, saying Imam Ali (AS) considers knowledge to have a fundamental position in the development of man and society.
“In Nahj al-Balagha, he emphasizes that knowledge is the path to the correct understanding of religion and life and must be accompanied by action and morality. He warns against knowledge that does not lead to the reformation of human behavior and believes that true knowledge is knowledge that refines man and makes him more committed to justice and truth.”
The Impact of Nahj al-Balagha on the Revival of Islamic Civilization
He went on to say that the thoughts and wisdom of Imam Ali (AS) in Nahj al-Balagha are considered an intellectual and human treasure for Islamic civilization.
“These wisdoms do not only address religious issues, but also cover topics such as politics, social management, and human education. For this reason, they have always been of interest throughout history and have been a guide for thinkers in times of prosperity and crisis.”
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Regarding the social justice that the Imam had established in society, he stated, “Imam Ali (AS) emphasized a justice that, above all, supported the weak and held officials accountable more than others. He believed that society would reach peace when the poor did not feel oppressed and people did not feel the lack of accountability and the fight against corruption. Therefore, he considered the fair distribution of rights and the indiscriminate confrontation with corruption to be the basis of social justice.”
The secret of the honor and progress of the Islamic Ummah
He then talked about the secret of the honor and progress of the Islamic Ummah from the perspective of Imam Ali (AS), saying, “From the perspective of Imam Ali (AS), the honor of the Islamic Ummah lies in adhering to justice, maintaining unity, and relying on moral values, not in fleeting interests. The Imam believed that real progress begins with internal reform and cultivating a conscious person, and any power that is not based on truth, no matter how strong it may appear, will eventually disappear.”
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