Justice and Remembrance

1. Justice is a Sacred Obligation, Rooted in Divine Reality

Be just with God and be just with people [giving them what is their due] from yourself.

Justice as a divine attribute. Justice, in Imam ʿAlī's view, is not merely a human construct but a reflection of God's own nature. It's a sacred obligation, not just a political or ethical ideal. This perspective elevates the pursuit of justice from a secular concern to a spiritual imperative.

• Justice is not just about fairness, but about aligning with the divine order.
• It is a reflection of God's own nature, making it a sacred duty.
• It is not just a political or ethical ideal, but a spiritual imperative.

The interconnectedness of justice. The Imam emphasizes that being just with God is the foundation for being just with people. This highlights the interconnectedness of the spiritual and the ethical, suggesting that true justice flows from a deep connection with the divine.

• One cannot be just to others without first being just to God.
• This connection underscores the spiritual basis of ethical action.
• It is a reminder that true justice flows from a deep connection with the divine.

Justice as a universal principle. The concept of justice, as presented by Imam ʿAlī, transcends cultural and religious boundaries. It is a universal principle that applies to all human beings, regardless of their background or beliefs.

• It is not limited to a specific group or community.
• It is a principle that applies to all human beings.
• It is a call for a universal standard of fairness and equity.

2. True Leadership Demands Self-Mastery and Humility

Do not say, ‘I have been given authority, I order and am obeyed’, for this leads to corruption in the heart and the erosion of religion.

The dangers of unchecked power. Imam ʿAlī warns against the corrupting influence of power, emphasizing that unchecked authority can lead to arrogance and injustice. True leadership, he argues, requires self-mastery and a constant awareness of one's own limitations.

• Power can easily lead to arrogance and injustice.
• Self-mastery is essential for true leadership.
• A leader must be aware of his own limitations.

Humility as a virtue. The Imam stresses the importance of humility for those in positions of authority. He urges leaders to recognize their dependence on God and to avoid the temptation to see themselves as superior to others.

• Humility is a key virtue for leaders.
• Leaders must recognize their dependence on God.
• They must avoid seeing themselves as superior to others.

The inner struggle. True leadership, according to Imam ʿAlī, is not just about external actions but also about the internal struggle against one's own ego and desires. This inner battle is essential for maintaining integrity and avoiding the pitfalls of power.

• True leadership involves an inner struggle against ego.
• It is a battle to maintain integrity and avoid the pitfalls of power.
• It is a constant effort to align one's will with the divine will.

3. The Ruler's Heart Must Be Filled with Compassion and Love

Infuse your heart with mercy for the subjects, love for them and kindness towards them.

Compassion as a guiding principle. Imam ʿAlī emphasizes that compassion, love, and kindness should be the guiding principles for those in positions of authority. He urges rulers to see their subjects not as mere tools but as fellow human beings deserving of care and respect.

• Compassion should be the guiding principle for leaders.
• Subjects should be seen as fellow human beings, not mere tools.
• Leaders must treat their subjects with care and respect.

The universality of compassion. The Imam stresses that compassion should extend to all people, regardless of their religious or social status. He reminds rulers that all human beings are either brothers in faith or equals in creation.

• Compassion should extend to all people.
• All human beings are either brothers in faith or equals in creation.
• This principle transcends religious and social boundaries.

The heart as the seat of virtue. The Imam emphasizes the importance of cultivating a compassionate heart, suggesting that true leadership flows from a place of love and empathy. He warns against becoming a "ravenous beast of prey" and urges rulers to be gentle and kind.

• True leadership flows from a place of love and empathy.
• Leaders must cultivate a compassionate heart.
• They must avoid becoming a "ravenous beast of prey."

4. Wisdom and Knowledge are Essential for Just Governance

Study much with the scholars and hold much discourse with the sages, in order to consolidate that which brings well-being to your lands.

The importance of learning. Imam ʿAlī stresses the importance of seeking knowledge and wisdom as essential for just governance. He urges rulers to consult with scholars and sages, recognizing that true leadership requires both intellectual and spiritual insight.

• Knowledge and wisdom are essential for just governance.
• Leaders must consult with scholars and sages.
• True leadership requires both intellectual and spiritual insight.

The distinction between scholars and sages. The Imam distinguishes between scholars (ʿulamāʾ) and sages (ḥukamāʾ), suggesting that true wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge. He implies that rulers should seek out those who possess both knowledge and practical wisdom.

• True wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge.
• Leaders should seek out those with both knowledge and practical wisdom.
• This distinction highlights the importance of both theory and practice.

The application of knowledge. The Imam emphasizes that knowledge should be applied to the practical task of governing, ensuring that policies and decisions are based on sound judgment and a deep understanding of the needs of the people.

• Knowledge should be applied to the practical task of governing.
• Policies and decisions should be based on sound judgment.
• Leaders must have a deep understanding of the needs of the people.

5. The World is a Test, Not an End in Itself

The world is an abode for which annihilation is ordained, and for its people departure from it is decreed.

The transient nature of the world. Imam ʿAlī reminds his governor that the world is a temporary abode, and that all things are subject to change and decay. This perspective encourages a detachment from worldly possessions and a focus on the eternal.

• The world is a temporary abode.
• All things are subject to change and decay.
• This perspective encourages detachment from worldly possessions.

The world as a test. The Imam emphasizes that life in this world is a test, and that all actions will be judged in the Hereafter. This perspective encourages a sense of responsibility and accountability, urging rulers to act with integrity and justice.

• Life in this world is a test.
• All actions will be judged in the Hereafter.
• This perspective encourages responsibility and accountability.

The importance of the Hereafter. The Imam stresses that the ultimate goal of life is not worldly success but spiritual fulfillment in the Hereafter. This perspective encourages a focus on eternal values and a commitment to living a life of virtue and righteousness.

• The ultimate goal of life is spiritual fulfillment in the Hereafter.
• This perspective encourages a focus on eternal values.
• It is a call to live a life of virtue and righteousness.

6. The Remembrance of God is the Path to True Understanding

Truly, God has made the remembrance (al-dhikr) a polish for the hearts, by which they hear after being deaf, and see after being blind.

The heart as the seat of understanding. Imam ʿAlī emphasizes that true understanding comes not from the intellect alone but from the heart, which is purified and illuminated by the remembrance of God. This perspective highlights the importance of spiritual practice in the pursuit of knowledge.

• True understanding comes from the heart, not just the intellect.
• The heart is purified and illuminated by the remembrance of God.
• Spiritual practice is essential for true knowledge.

The dhikr as a transformative practice. The Imam describes the dhikr as a "polish for the hearts," suggesting that it is a transformative practice that can remove the veils of ignorance and allow one to see the truth.

• The dhikr is a transformative practice.
• It removes the veils of ignorance.
• It allows one to see the truth.

The power of invocation. The Imam highlights the power of invocation, suggesting that it is a means of connecting with the divine and accessing a deeper level of understanding. He implies that the dhikr is not just a ritual but a path to spiritual awakening.

• Invocation is a means of connecting with the divine.
• It is a path to a deeper level of understanding.
• It is a path to spiritual awakening.

7. Spiritual Vision Transcends the Limits of Reason

Eyes see Him not through sight’s observation, but hearts see Him through the verities of faith.

The limitations of reason. Imam ʿAlī suggests that reason alone is insufficient for grasping the true nature of God. He implies that spiritual vision, which is rooted in faith and devotion, is necessary for attaining a deeper understanding of the divine.

• Reason alone is insufficient for grasping the true nature of God.
• Spiritual vision is necessary for a deeper understanding of the divine.
• This vision is rooted in faith and devotion.

The heart as the organ of spiritual vision. The Imam emphasizes that the heart, not the intellect, is the organ of spiritual vision. He suggests that true knowledge comes from a direct experience of the divine, not just from intellectual understanding.

• The heart is the organ of spiritual vision.
• True knowledge comes from a direct experience of the divine.
• This experience transcends intellectual understanding.

The verities of faith. The Imam highlights the importance of the "verities of faith" as the means by which the heart can see God. He implies that faith is not just a belief system but a path to direct spiritual experience.

• The "verities of faith" are the means by which the heart can see God.
• Faith is not just a belief system but a path to direct spiritual experience.
• This experience is a form of knowledge that transcends reason.

8. The Heart, Polished by Remembrance, Sees the Real

They rejoice in their intimacy with the spirit of certainty; they make easy what the extravagant find harsh; they befriend that by which the ignorant are estranged.

The heart as a mirror. Imam ʿAlī suggests that the heart, when purified by the remembrance of God, becomes a mirror that reflects the divine reality. This perspective highlights the transformative power of spiritual practice.

• The heart becomes a mirror that reflects the divine reality.
• This transformation is achieved through the remembrance of God.
• Spiritual practice is essential for this transformation.

The joy of certainty. The Imam describes those who have purified their hearts as experiencing a deep joy and intimacy with the "spirit of certainty." This suggests that spiritual practice is not just about duty but also about experiencing the bliss of divine presence.

• Spiritual practice leads to a deep joy and intimacy with the divine.
• This joy is rooted in the "spirit of certainty."
• It is a reward for those who have purified their hearts.

The transformation of perception. The Imam emphasizes that those who have purified their hearts see the world differently. They find ease in what others find difficult, and they embrace what others reject. This suggests that spiritual practice transforms not just the individual but also their perception of reality.

• Spiritual practice transforms one's perception of reality.
• Those who have purified their hearts find ease in what others find difficult.
• They embrace what others reject.

9. True Devotion Requires Self-Effacement and Sincerity

But you will not remember Him according to the true reality of the remembrance until you forget your own soul in your remembrance.

The limitations of self-consciousness. Imam ʿAlī suggests that true devotion requires a transcendence of self-consciousness. He implies that as long as the ego remains at the center of one's awareness, one cannot fully experience the divine presence.

• True devotion requires a transcendence of self-consciousness.
• The ego must be transcended to experience the divine.
• Self-consciousness is a barrier to spiritual realization.

The paradox of forgetting. The Imam presents a paradox: that true remembrance of God requires a forgetting of oneself. This suggests that the path to spiritual union involves a surrender of the individual will and a complete absorption in the divine.

• True remembrance of God requires a forgetting of oneself.
• This is a paradox that highlights the limits of human understanding.
• It is a call for a surrender of the individual will.

The importance of sincerity. The Imam emphasizes that true devotion must be sincere, with the heart and tongue in harmony. He implies that outward acts of worship are meaningless without a corresponding inner transformation.

• True devotion must be sincere.
• The heart and tongue must be in harmony.
• Outward acts of worship are meaningless without inner transformation.

10. The Hereafter is the Ultimate Measure of Justice

And they were given the like thereof.

The eternal perspective. Imam ʿAlī emphasizes that the ultimate measure of justice is not in this world but in the Hereafter. This perspective encourages a focus on eternal values and a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God.

• The ultimate measure of justice is in the Hereafter.
• This perspective encourages a focus on eternal values.
• It is a call to live a life that is pleasing to God.

The promise of reward. The Imam suggests that those who strive for justice and righteousness in this world will be rewarded in the Hereafter. This promise of eternal bliss serves as a powerful motivation for living a life of virtue.

• Those who strive for justice will be rewarded in the Hereafter.
• This promise serves as a powerful motivation for living a life of virtue.
• It is a reminder that our actions have eternal consequences.

The reality of divine judgment. The Imam reminds his governor that all actions will be judged by God, and that no one can escape the consequences of their choices. This perspective encourages a sense of accountability and a commitment to acting with integrity and justice.

• All actions will be judged by God.
• No one can escape the consequences of their choices.
• This perspective encourages accountability and integrity.

Last updated: January 14, 2025