Hazrat Ali (A.S.) and Human Dignity

[S. Insaf]

Hazrat Ali ibne-Abi Talib (A.S.) and Human Dignity

The Justice Nathwani Commission of Enquiry Report has concluded that “Our enquiry has shown that there is infringement of Human Rights and Human Dignity of Bohras in general and Bohra reformists in particular on large-scale at the hands of the priestly class.”
I am quoting herewith a few examples from Nahjul Balaga (Peak of Eloquence) by to find out the truth:-

1) Harish-ibne-Shail, one of the governors of the provinces, was in Koofa. Once he was riding through the city and saw Hazrat Ali (A.S.) also riding. He got down from his horse to accompany Hazarat Ali on foot. Hazarat Ali immediately stopped him and said, “It ill-becomes a man to lower down himself before any body but his God. Please get upon your horse. Even had you not been an officer of the state but an ordinary person, I would not have allowed you to lower yourself like this. The sight of such humiliation of man before man never pleases me. It is worst form of tyranny which can be practised.”

Please compare this act of Hazarat Ali with the acts of the present day Sayedna who makes mumineen stand with folded hands around him while he is eating or offering Namaz-e-Shukrana or while he is passing by in a car or baggi etc. and decide on Hazrat Ali’s statement, “The sight of such humiliation of man before man never pleases me. It is worst form of tyranny which can be practised.”

2) In the battle of “Jamal” in the thick of the encounter Hazrat Ali’s slave Quamber brought some “Sharbat” (sweet syrup) saying “my lord the sun is very hot and you have been constantly fighting, have a glass of this cold drink to refresh yourself”. Hazrat Ali looked around himself and replied “shall I refresh myself when hundreds of people around are lying wounded and dying of thirst and wounds? Instead of me take a few men with you and give each of them a cold drink.” Quamber replied “My lord, but are all our enemies”. Hazrat Ali said, “They may be but they are human being first and attend them.”

Please compare this behaviour of Hazrat Ali with the treatment of the present day Sayedna meted out to his opponents.

3) In the battle of “Siffeen” Moaviah reached the river Euphrates (daya-e-Furat) before the army of Hazrat Ali and took charge of the river. He informed Hazrat Ali that his army would not allowed a drop of water from the river (That was the war tactic in Arabia then). Hazrat Ali told him that this action was against the canons of humanity and orders of Islam. Moaviah replied “a war is a war and therein one cannot accept principles of humanity and doctrines of Islam. My sole aim is to kill you and to demoralize your army and I know this stoppage of water will bring about results easily and quickly.” Hazrat Ali thereupon instructed Imam Husain to attack and get back the river. Thus river-side position was captured by Hazrat Ali’s army. It was now Moaviah’s turn to get permission of to get water for his army. Hazrat Ali told him “take as much water as you need and as often as you required.”. When Ali’s officers told him that those were the very people who had refused water to them, should they be allowed a free run of the river?” Hazrat Ali replied, “they human beings and though have acted in humanly yet we can not follow their examples and can not refuse them food and drinks because they happen to be my worst enemy.”

Please compare this character of Hazrat Ali with the character of the Daiz-Zaman who claims to be the “Dai of Hazrat Ali”, “Messiah of Humanity” and “Ambassador of peace”. Slight refusal of any unjust order of even an Amil brings humiliation of Mumin or Muminat stopping him from community’s functions, refusing water or tea during Ramadan, even not allowing attending the funeral of the father or son. Please decide who is on the footsteps of Hazrat Ali and who is on the footsteps of Moaviah?

4) Hazrat Ali had two slaves Quamber and Saeed (to keep slaves was customary then. Hazrat Khudeja was a prosperous woman and had slaves in thousands. When she proposed to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) for marriage the first and the foremost condition that the prophet placed before her was that she would set free all her slaves.)
After Hazrat Ali’s death Quamber related that though was he was Hazrat’s slave but very seldom had the occasion to serve his master. Hazrat used to do his work for himself, used to wash his own clothings, patch them himself whenever needed. He would draw water from the well for his daily use. He would give his slaves good food and decent dresses would himself eat and dress like a poor man. He never got angry with us. He never used to cane even his horse or camel.
Quamber said “Once and only once he got annoyed with me. It was the occasion when I showed him money which I had received from the Baitul-Mal and as gift from the members of his family. I had no immediate used and had hoarded the amount. It was not much, barely 100 dirham. Very sadly Hazrat said, “Quamber, if you had no use this money, were there not people around you who were in need. I never thought that you could be so heartless and cruel and could love wealth for the sake of wealth. Quamber, I am afraid you have not learnt much from Islam, try more seriously and sincerely. Take these coins out of my house.”

Here we see that Hazarat Ali was displeased even with his slave Quamber just because he had hoarded a very small amount of money not required for his immediate use. Compare this with hoarders of billions of rupees and extortionists who extort money even from poor needy through out the year.

I can go on and on. But these examples are enough for this to show how much Hazrat Ali cared for Human Dignity Human Rights even when these terms were not coined.

[Al Zulfiqar]

Bhai Saifuddin, is it any wonder that since last 3 decades or so, the syedna talks about Ali, but only in passing? he does not elaborate on the great habits and lifestyle of Ali, his austerity, his simplicity, integrity or bravery in the face of apparently insurmountable odds. his sense of compassion and justice, his respect for even his most bitterest foes etc.

WHY? because it will highlight his own and his family's excesses, their greed, their extravagant lifestyle, their disrespect for ordinary bohras, their acting like kings and princes, while we all are but mere beggars and untouchables, his contempt for those who seek justice, transparency and democracy in community affairs, his utterance of threats and lanaats against anyone who dares to question his authority....

i have been told that if a devout bohra were to go and ask his amil re: the nahjul balagha and that he would like to get a copy and read it, he is told that unless he obtains raza from syedna, he will not be allowed to do so! 'ema ghanu taawil chhe, e tamari samajh na bahr che', is the patent reply.

[mohammed_truthseeker]

So where can we get a copy of the Nahjul Balagha? Is it available on the Internet?

Regards,
Mohammed

[anajmi]

http://www.al-islam.org/nahjul/index.htm

[mohammed_truthseeker]

Thank You

[S. Insaf]

The Nahjul Balagha which I have has Hazrat Ali (A.S.)'s Sermons, Letters and Sayings.
1) His Genealogy, 2) His Birth, 3) His name 4) His Kunniah, 5) His Alquab, 6) His features, 6) His Upbringing, The Holy Prophet (A.S.) and Hazrat Ali, how they loved each other, 9) His Character, 10) His Religion, 11) His Wife, Children and Home-life, 12) Ali admist his friends and foes and among Rich and Poor, Ali's behavviour with his enemies, Ali amongst his servants and slaves, Ali among his subjects, Ali amongst the poor, 13) Ali's Food, Ali's Dress, 14) Ali's services to Islam and the Prophet, etc.
The Book is published by
Islamic Seminary
150, Sheriff Devji Street, Near Rozat Tahera, Mumbai- 400 003, India.

Also available at New Jersey, Canada, London, Paris, Sierra Leone, Nairobi – Kenya, Karachi, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Nigeria. I can provide addresses for each country on request.

[porus]

Sifat of Ali has been captured by Allama Iqbal in this handsome nazm on the maqaam of Fatima Zahra. Enjoy this priceless gem. It is both in Urdu and Farsi but most of you will catch the drift.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o5hLD2bxppI

Simply, uncomparable poetry.

While Hazrat is acceptable in addressing Ali, for the Shia, and especially Bohras, proper address for Ali is the he is THE Ameer-ul-Mumineen. And I believe Bohras understand why.

[Shahu]

Hazrat Ali ibne-Abi Talib (A.S.) and Women

Sermon 79

O' ye peoples! women are deficient in Faith, deficient in shares and deficient in intelligence. As regards the deficiency in their Faith, it is their abstention from prayers and fasting during their menstrual period. As regards deficiency in their intelligence it is because the evidence of two women is equal to that of one man. As for the deficiency of their shares that is because of their share in inheritance being half of men. So Beware of the evils of women. Be on your guard even from those of them who are (reportedly) good. Do not obey them even in good things so that they may not attract you to evils.

Letter 31

Do not seek the advice of women, their verdicts are often immature and incorrect and their determinations are not firm. You must guard and defend them and act as a shelter to protect them from impious and injurious surroundings and infamous sights, this kind of shelter will keep them well-protected from every harm. Their contact with a vicious and sinful atmosphere (even with all the shelter that you can provide) is going to prove more harmful than being left with protection. Do not let them interfere with affairs where you cannot personally guide or protect them. Do not let them aspire for things which are beyond their capacities. They are more like decoration to humanity and are not made to rule and govern humanity. Exhibit reasonable interest in things which they desire and give importance to them, but do not let them influence your opinions and do not let them impel you to go against your sane views. Do not force them into marriages which they abhor or which they consider below their dignity because there is danger of thus converting honourable and virtuous women into shameless and dishonourable beings.

Sermon 152

Beasts are concerned with their bellies. Carnivores are concerned with assaulting others. women are concerned with the adornments of this ignoble life and the creation of mischief herein (2). (On the other hand) believers are humble, believers are admonishers and believers are afraid (of Allah).

[porus]

Shahu is well-known for creating fitna on this board. Bear that in mind when judging his posts. I recommend ignoring him completely.

Look at the following for the explanation of Sermon 79. It was delivered at the battle of Jamal, which was lead by Ali's arch-enemy, Aisha.

http://www.nahjulbalagha.org/SermonDetail.php?Sermon=79

Search for other sayings of Ali on this site.

[anajmi]

If one were to read the sermon carefully, there is no mention of Hazrat Ali hating all women because of that battle that tripplehorn refers to. Infact, the sermon refers to points raised in the quran and the nature of a women's being - mentruation etc. If we were to follow tripplehorn's spin, it was Hazrat Aisha's battle against Hazrat Ali that led to all women getting menstrual period!!

[Muslim First]

.
Anybody who detracts Bohras from total unconditional worship of Ahl-e-Bait is fitna creator.
.

[Muslim First]

From: Nahj al-Balagha

This book is basically a literary book not a religious one, because Al-Sharif al-Radi didn't gather all part of but chose some part of sermons and letters, but he chose some parts of them which have more literary value. Also it doesn't contain sources of the contents. But this book contains many religious, historic, sociological, political and folklore aspects of Islam and Arab World in the 7th century.------

[anajmi]

Besides, Hazrat Ali knew better than to diss the entire women race based upon what one woman did. One other important thing to note, Hazrat Ali claims women are deficient in faith, shares and intelligence. This is not what the quran says. Besides, his explanation also does not make sense.

As regards the deficiency in their Faith, it is their abstention from prayers and fasting during their menstrual period.

Abstention from prayers and fasting during their menstrual period is not out of choice, but out of following the commandment of Allah. Women who abstain from prayers during the period are simply following the command of Allah. I don't think that can be classified as deficiency in faith!!

[anajmi]

So, what happened to the defender of Islam with three horns? Polishing his horns?

[accountability]

Syed mohammed razi was centries after Moulana Ali. He claimed to have some weird dreams. I have read nahjul balagha. it is a master piece of narration. Specially the chapter that deals with creation and adam.

I would like to refer to one sermon, in which Maulana Ali pointing towards river said, that one day this will be a source of power. we now have hydel power.

Syed mohammed radi's compilation is short on authenticity and refrenes. we should read it in the context of 7th century AD.

[accountability]

"Anybody who detracts Bohras from total unconditional worship of Ahl-e-Bait is fitna creator."

Bohras do not worship ahle bait, rather respect them due to their ancestry to Prophet. prophet himself had declared them his chosen ones. Soon after Prophet's demise, it was only Ali his cousin who was with him, others were busy in finding and claiming his heirship. so naturally Prophet's own family will have more respect than others.