Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Art and Civilization, Research Institute of Islamic Sciences and Culture
10.22081/csa.2024.77231
Abstract
The governance of Imam ʿAlī (as), which was shaped in a predictable and explainable process to heal the rift that had emerged in Islamic life, did not last long and soon faced challenges that ultimately led to his martyrdom. The fundamental question is what factors caused the people to rally around him and then for some of their leaders to turn away. This article posits that the insistence on equality and the promotion of justice by the Imam led to the aforementioned reactions, and it aims to explore this through a descriptive-analytical method, providing a suitable response. The precedence of justice over benefit, expediency, and power in the Imam's view, and its significance as the foundation of the nation, constituted the basis of all his political actions and governance activities, which, despite initial public support, faced subsequent inconsistencies. Addressing this issue presents a suitable model for contemporary individuals to foster better interactions with the people. Although many writings have emerged regarding the Imam, justice, and his governance, there remains a noticeable gap that needs to be addressed.