The Stance of Imam Ali (as)

The Stance of Imam Ali (as)

To understand the decision taken by Imam ‘Ali (as) and answer Nasibi claims that he was responsible for the Battle of Jamal, we need to take into account that Imam ‘Ali (as) WAS the rightful Head of State. The opposition was such that not only was it aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people against Imam ‘Ali (as), its aim was to cause a mass revolt against him, as we shall see.

Imam ‘Ali (as) was within his rights as Khalifa to quell the Fitnah of Ayesha and her supporters

Surah al Maida verses 32:

Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, …..

Surah al Maida verses 33:

The recompense of those who wage war against Allâh and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter.

These verses like all verses, are applicable at all times. If the duty on Rasulullah (s) was to quell fitnah against him by killing the proponents, then his rightful successor ‘ Ul’il Umr likewise inherited this same right. If his opponents were insisting on refusing to obey him, preferring to spread fitnah inciting opposition and animosity towards him, the Head of the State was entitled to uproot these seditious elements and kill them.

Surah Rad verse 25:

And those who break the Covenant of Allâh, after its ratification, and sever that which Allâh has commanded to be joined (i.e. they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e. they will be far away from Allâh’s Mercy); And for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e. Hell)

Surah Sad verse 28:

Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, as Mufsidûn (those who associate partners in worship with Allâh and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqûn (pious – see V.2:2), as the Fujjâr (criminals, disbelievers, wicked, etc)?

Surah Qasas verse 83:

That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun