Salamun alaykum,
Magna Carta :
Magna Carta, is a word in latin meaning Great Charter. It is an English legal document, written in Latin, issued in the year 1215 during the reign of King John of England.
Magna Carta was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects, the Barons. The clauses of the agreement included proclamation by the King for rights pertaining to freedom, respect for certain legal procedures, appeal against unlawful imprisonment and accept that his will could be bound by the law. In summary it was a contract between the Ruler – King - and his subjects where the powers of the ruler was limited.
Magna Carta from Kufa?
Unlike the above referred Magna Carta of England imposed upon the Ruler by his subjects, history records a document had been issued, in Kufa, by the Ruler to his Governor outlining principles of administration and justice.
Five centuries before Magna Carta was drawn, a letter was written by Imam Ali bin Abi Talib a.s. in the year 658 (38 A.H.) to his Governor of Egypt :- Maalik ibn Al Harith Al Ashtar.
This ‘Magna Carta’, authored by Imam Ali, as the Ruler, is a summary of the principles of administration and justice for the ruled as dictated by Islam. It contains such basic principles of the fulfillment of Allah’s obligations, the duties and obligations of rulers, dispensation of justice, the protection of human rights without distinction of religion or community, the care of the destitute and the poor and the provision of support to the low and down trodden, the establishment of peace and security and the prosperity and well being of the people. The letter can be found in Nahjul Balagha Letter No: 53
Herebelow is a small paragraph from this letter which outlines the theme of the whole document in a miniature frame:
“Maalik! You must create in your mind kindness, compassion and love for your subjects. Do not behave towards them as if you are a voracious and ravenous beast and as if your success lies in devouring them.
Remember, Maalik,that amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: either they are your brothers in religion or they are human beings like you.”
It is of interest to note that the above paragraph was quoted by Kofi A. Annan, the former Secretary General of United Nations, in a speech delivered on 10th December, 1997 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights.
As we celebrate the auspicious birth date of Amiral Muminin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib on the 13th Rajab, let us reflect on the above paragraph so as to guide us in our interactions with the wider community.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk:
Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk: Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
