Ramadan and Martyrdom of Imam Ali (RA)
The month of Ramadan is known to the Muslim polity as the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. First, the holy Qur'an was revealed in this month. Second, the most beloved Caliph of Islam Hazrat Ali (RA) embraced martyrdom on the 21st of Ramadan after a dastardly attack by an infidel who conspired to annihilate Islam.
Hazrat Ali was not only the Caliph of Islam, he was also a great warrior and military strategist who not only waged wars against the enemies of Islam, but went to the extent of displaying his prowess in the battlefields. Hazrat Ali was also a great scholar who had superiority over philosophical subjects, a man of letters and his different instructions to governors were considered masterpieces of Arabic literature.
In this mundane age when Ramadan is being used by a section of our affluent people in extravaganza and lavish spendings, we forget what Ramadan teaches us all who are so vociferous in giving lip service to Islamic causes - to abstain from all ills and practice tolerance and patience. One may even say - whither Islamic fraternity even in this holy month of Ramadan when Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and stranded Pakistanis are languishing in sordid and squalid camps, unattended and uncared for?
Hazrat Ali (RA) was an epitome of justice, fairplay and equality. What he taught he equally preached. He never surrendered to the forces of evil and fought the foes of Islam with matching intelligence and in humane ways.
Our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) loved the Invincible Imam Ali and gladly gave his daughter Hazrat Bibi Fatima (RA) in marriage to this indefatigable personality of Islam. Hazrat Ali never imposed his will on others. He persuaded the deviators with logic and understanding and never rebuked them. With all these human qualities, he never compromised on principles and his unflinching faith in the destiny of Islam also played a dominant role in the spread of Islam.
The Holy Qur'an has also praised Maula Ali (RA) and even our last Prophet (PBUH) spoke eloquently about him on many important occasions. The Nahjat-ul-Balagha - his directives and sermons to a governor - earned appreciation from western commentators and other religious figures of different religions. Hazrat Ali (RA) was dearly called Sher-e-Khuda and his famous Sword known as "Zulfiqar-e-Haideri" is part of the valiant history of Islam. The Nahjat-ul-Balagha ought to be properly studied and practised by the Muslim governments. His techniques of administration have been highly appreciated and lauded by learned people in the realm of public administration.
In this holy month of Ramadan and particularly on 21st Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, the noble and practical concepts of administration should be emulated by our public administration officials. If we try to emulate what Hazrat Ali (RA) prescribed in Nahjat-ul-Balagha, there is every reason to believe that our public administration officials will derive maximum benefits out of them. In this pious month let us read and study Qur'an in a meaningful way and try to learn what Hazrat Ali (RA), the great preacher and savant of Islam, taught us to follow for our salvation here and after.
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