A Kingdom of Morality: Imam Ali’s Vision of Justice and Equality

When King Charles spoke on Islam and the West, he reminded the world that much of Western civilization owes its awakening to Islam’s preservation of wisdom during Europe’s Dark Ages. His words echoed through history, a tribute to the faith that once illuminated science, philosophy, and humanity itself. And when Shakespeare, too, admired the wisdom that flows from divine truth, both voices, the monarch and the poet, bore witness to a light that first dawned in the deserts of Arabia over fourteen centuries ago.

It was then that God’s Beloved, Habibullah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), brought forth the message of mercy, justice, and truth, a message that raised humanity toward Rahmatul lil Alameen, the Mercy for all worlds.

Yet as Shakespeare wrote, “Words are easy, like the wind.” Many praise virtue, but few walk its path. So too, today, Islam is praised as the finest of religions, perfect in principle, divine in spirit, yet its followers often stray from its essence. As it is said:

 “Islam is the best religion, but its followers are the worst.”

For Islam calls mankind to truth, humility, and justice, but man, blinded by greed and pride, betrays the very commandments he claims to honor.

And Imam Ali (peace be upon him) warned:

 “People are slaves to this world; as long as they live in comfort, they are loyal to religion, but when tested, true believers become few.”

Thus, faith is not proven by speech, nor by birth, nor by name, but by steadfast deeds. True faith shines through patience in hardship and honesty in power. The beauty of Islam is eternal and divine; only when its followers reflect that beauty in their actions will the world once again see the radiance of the truth revealed through God’s final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

When the Islamic state fell into turmoil and near bankruptcy after the rule of the third Caliph, Uthman, the people turned to Imam Ali (peace be upon him). Upon their request, he accepted leadership, not out of desire for power, but to restore justice and divine order. Through his wisdom and piety, he demonstrated that a man of knowledge, simplicity, and righteousness could establish a government founded on the principles of divine justice, law, governance, and economic self-sufficiency.

Unlike rulers who sought wealth or privilege, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) lived among the people as one of them. He narrowed the distance between ruler and subject, rich and poor, servant and master, and between the oppressed and the powerful. In his system, every person, Muslim or non-Muslim, was free to speak, to worship, and to defend their dignity. His government reflected the Qur’anic order and the teachings of his cousin, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), not merely in words but through deeds.

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Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was the true manifestation of humility, justice, and divine compassion. As the Caliph of a vast Islamic state, his life reflected simplicity so profound that few could tell he was the ruler. His garments were plain, his manner gentle, and his presence so approachable that he was often found sitting among the people, listening to their troubles with tenderness, advising them with wisdom, and personally working to ease their hardships.

Many were surprised to see him in the company of Misam al-Tammar, a humble date seller. Yet, to Imam Ali, true nobility lay not in status or wealth, but in purity of heart and righteousness of character. When night descended and the city slept, he would quietly move through the streets, carrying food on his back for the poor, comforting the widows, visiting the elderly, and caring for the orphans—ensuring that no home went hungry under his rule.

For Imam Ali, leadership was not a privilege but an act of worship. Power, in his hands, was a sacred trust meant for service, not self-interest. His rule was a living testament that governance could be both just and compassionate, powerful yet humble. In every sense, his model of leadership stood as a divine challenge to worldly systems, whether imperial, socialist, or democratic, proving that the highest form of government is one rooted in justice, mercy, and selfless devotion to humanity.

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It is said that when guests visited him for personal matters, Imam Ali would extinguish the state-owned lamp, refusing to let public resources be used for private conversations. Such was his sense of integrity and accountability before God. Though such purity in governance may seem impossible for ordinary rulers, Allah intended to reveal through him a divine model of leadership for all time.

His letter to Malik al-Ashtar, the governor of Egypt, stands as a timeless charter of justice, a true example of democracy and human rights. In it, Imam Ali instructed: “Treat the people with compassion and mercy. They are either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity.”

Thus, Imam Ali’s governance was not an empire of might, but a kingdom of morality, a reflection of divine justice on earth.

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The Measure of True Leadership

As for King Charles III, though he speaks with respect for Islam and acknowledges its moral and spiritual depth, his admiration remains largely confined to words rather than deeds. The British Empire, once the most powerful dominion in human history, rose in defiance of Islam, investing vast resources to study its teachings, not to embrace them, but to counter their influence. Yet Islam was never revealed as a force to rule or to conquer; it was a divine message meant to guide humanity through justice, knowledge, and compassion.

After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the implementation of Islam’s principles was gradually altered by political ambition and worldly desire. Its essence, the pursuit of truth and righteousness, was overshadowed by power and prestige. The spirit of Islam that Imam Ali (peace be upon him) embodied, however, was never rooted in rhetoric. It was manifested through action, integrity, and unwavering devotion to divine justice.

In the modern age, the concept of kingship and authority has undergone profound change. With the rise of technology and the transparency brought by social media, the world has become a mirror in which every ruler’s actions are laid bare. In this new era, Islam offers not merely a system of belief but a practical framework for ethical governance. It provides rulers the opportunity not to dominate but to lead with humility, equity, and truth, the timeless principles that Imam Ali upheld as the foundation of a just and moral society.

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In a world where people proclaim success through wealth, fame, or power, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) revealed the true meaning of success, not in worldly triumph, but in spiritual surrender. When the assassin’s sword struck his head during prostration, he uttered, “By the Lord of the Worlds, I have succeeded.”

For one whose mastery of defense and intelligence none could overcome, it was not defeat that reached him that night, but divine submission. His victory lay not in conquering others, but in returning to his Lord in the state of worship, the highest form of success known to the soul.

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