Viewpoint

Iran Follows Imam Ali’s (AS) Perspective of Politics

Date: 20 April 2022 - 21:53

News ID: ۱۰۱۸۷۴

By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

The establishment of the Islamic Republic by that Sage of the Age, Imam Khomeini (RA), following the resounding triumph of the grassroots movement of the Iranian people in 1979, was viewed by Islamic political analysts as only the third instance in world history of the setting up of a system of government based on the Holy Qur’an.
They were quick to note that the first was Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWA) 11-rule from his capital Medina in Arabia, and the second was the nearly 5-year caliphate of his cousin and First Divinely-designated Heir, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), from Kufa in Iraq.
Of course, the Prophet and the Imam were Infallible Personages chosen by God Almighty, and so no system of government can truly achieve what they attained and set practical precedents as everlasting guidelines until the reappearance of the Saviour of mankind, Imam Mahdi (AS), and his global government of peace, prosperity, and justice.
This means it is the duty of honest, courageous, and erudite Islamic scholars, staunchly adhering to the path of the Prophet and his progeny, to follow in their footsteps by setting up the rule of law on the basis of their teachings in order to remove ills from the society.
This is what the Islamic Republic of Iran has been striving for over the past 42 years with varying degrees of success that have profoundly influenced states and peoples in the region and beyond, and this is the reason the US (the Great Satan) and its clients, the lesser devils, have never ceased their hostility and conspiracies against the Iranian people.
They will never succeed in their devilish designs, if Iran firmly follows the path of Imam Ali (AS), who in the face of intense hostilities and wars imposed upon him, showed the real meaning of politics and in particular, the morally upright politics for the sake of social justice.
Politicians in today’s world where democracy is actually hypocrisy, are mostly dishonest, corrupt, and self-serving, and love wealth and power. They do anything to get into office, and once they are in office, they do anything to hold on to power. In order to get into office, politicians make all sorts of promises, most of which they fail to keep. Thus, for many people, politics has become synonymous with lies, treachery, broken promises, corruption and nepotism.
As a matter of fact and in accordance with the teachings of Islam, politics should be about helping people to attain their rights and live a decent life in an environment of peace and stability on the basis of social justice, as the Leadership in Iran strives for, in accordance with the practical precedents set by Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and Imam Ali (AS).
In contrast, the politicians of the so-called democracies and self-styled Muslim kingdoms, are self-serving, work for big business or special interest groups, and are solely concerned about clinging to power, without the least regard for social justice, or the welfare of citizens. An honest politician who doesn’t want to line his own pockets, and is not after wealth, high office, and power, is almost unheard of in today’s world, and was certainly very rare indeed throughout history.
The politics of the Commander of the Faithful were a world apart from either western or eastern politics, or the dubious political theories of today. In actual fact, the politics of Imam Ali (AS) are based on monotheism, the Qur’anic teachings and the needs of mankind. His politics were inextricably linked to the genuine precepts of Islam in conformity to the nature of mankind and the needs of the society. The Imam was very concerned about all sections of society, but he took a special interest in making sure that the less-well-off and the poor were looked after, and had a decent life, on the basis of honesty, piety and human dignity.
In Sermon 16 (of the book Nahj al-Balagha), delivered when the people gave the pledge of allegiance to him as caliph in Medina, he said:
“The responsibility for what I say is guaranteed, I am answerable for it…By Allah who sent the Prophet with faith and truth… I have not concealed a single word or spoken any lie and I had been informed of this event and of this time. Beware that sins are like unruly horses on whom their riders have been placed and their reins have been let loose so that they would jump with them in Hell. Beware that piety is like trained horses on whom the riders have been placed with the reins in their hands, so that they would take the riders to Heaven.”
The policies and methods of Imam Ali (AS) are very well illustrated in the famous epistle he wrote to his governor of Egypt and North Africa, Malik al-Ashtar. In this letter the Imam explains in great detail what Malik needs to do in order to discharge his duties as a governor of the then Christian majority Egypt. The letter provides us with deep insight into the Imam’s methods of governance, and the policies he adopted during his time as caliph or political ruler of the Islamic realm.
No doubt this has been hailed as the Finest Charter of Human Rights, more perfect than what the UN has been able to compile, and which the Islamic Republic of Iran considers as true model to be followed.