Salamun alaykum,
How does Man connect today?
We live in a world full of injustice, oppression, and strife. The Media is screaming with accounts of discrimination, massacre and genocide of people. It seems that man has lost the supreme value of relating to one another as human beings, isn’t it?
Two kinds of people:
“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.”
The above is an extract from an epistle written, in the year 38 A.H.(658 CE), by Amiral Mumineen Imam Ali bin Abi Talib a.s. to his Governor of Egypt, Maalik ibn Al Harith Al Ashtar. The contents of this valuable epistle can also serve to guide on the interaction between people.
Interestingly the above paragraph was quoted by the former Secretary General of United Nations, Kofi A. Annan, in a speech delivered on 10th December, 1997 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights. http://www.un.org/rights/50/dpi1937.htm
This Great Charter, authored by Imam Ali as the Ruler based in Kufa, is a summary of the principles of administration and justice for the subjects under his domain as dictated by Islam. It contains such basic principles of the fulfilment 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 downtrodden, the establishment of peace and security and the prosperity and wellbeing of the people.
The letter can be found in the book: Nahjul Balagha Letter No: 53.
Reflect:
How does one interact with people around them?
How deep and wide do we radiate kindness, compassion and love to one another?
As we celebrate the auspicious birth date of Amiral Muminin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib a.s. what does Imam Ali a.s. expect from you and I as his Shia?
Heartiest Felicitations on the Happy and Auspicious Occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Amiral Muminin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S.)
Khushali Mubarak.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat