After Uthman’s death in the year 35 AH, people rushed to Imam Ali’s house to pledge allegiance. He initially refused, saying: “Leave me and seek someone else.” However, he accepted the caliphate due to people’s insistence and to prevent chaos, saying: “By Him who split the seed and created the soul, had it not been for the presence of the present and the establishment of proof through the existence of supporters, and if Allah had not taken a covenant from scholars not to remain silent in the face of the gluttony of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed, I would have cast the reins of caliphate on its hump.”
Imam’s first measures after assuming the caliphate:
– Dismissing incompetent governors
– Returning usurped property to the public treasury
– Implementing justice in distributing public funds
– Equality in social rights between Arabs and non-Arabs
– Fighting discrimination and oppression
However, these reforms faced opposition from various groups, leading to three major wars:
- The Battle of Jamal (36 AH):
– Led by Talha, Zubayr, and Aisha
– Near Basra
– Ended with the Imam’s victory and defeat of the covenant-breakers
– The Imam treated prisoners and wounded with mercy
- The Battle of Siffin (37 AH):
– Between Imam Ali and Muawiya
– Lasted eighteen months
– Failed due to Amr Al-As’s trick of raising Qurans on spears
– Led to arbitration and separation of the Kharijites
- The Battle of Nahrawan (38 AH):
– Against the Kharijites who had declared the Imam an infidel
– Ended in decisive victory for the Imam
– Only nine Kharijites survived
– Nine of the Imam’s army were martyred
Characteristics of Imam Ali’s governance:
– Simple and modest life
– Direct supervision of governors
– Attention to minority rights
– Creating a free climate for opponents
– Implementing justice even with relatives
Finally, on the 19th of Ramadan in the year 40 AH, Ibn Muljam Al-Muradi, who was among the Kharijites and extremists, struck the Imam with a poisoned sword on his head in the Kufa mosque during the morning prayer. The Imam was martyred two days later, on the 21st of Ramadan. Among his recommendations in these two days were:
– Good treatment of his killer
– Not to kill more than one person in retaliation
– Recommendation to piety and order
– Care for orphans and neighbors
– Preserving the Quran and acting according to it
Although Ali (peace be upon him) physically departed this world, only his children possess the qualities mentioned in the Quran for succession to the Prophet and complete guidance of humanity. The path of divine leadership will continue through them until the Day of Judgment, and love for this family will remain in all ages a means of drawing closer to Allah and purifying hearts.
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The above content was published on 20/3/2025 on Imam Ali (AS) Foundation Library