The circumstances of his time and the political culture in which he lived, before and after him, have made people ignorant of personal and individual aspects of Amir al-Muminin’s life.
Attention to the Economic Dimensions of Religious Rituals
Economic matters constitute significant social components, and neglecting them may lead to the destruction of society despite all religious measures and activities.
For example, relying on a hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), Imam Ali recommended the following supplication before breaking the fast regarding the observance of material rights in Ramadan:
“O Allah! For You we fasted, and with the provision You have decreed for us we break our fast. So accept it from us. Our hunger has subsided, our veins are filled with blood, and the reward remains for us, God willing.” [1]
Amir al-Muminin insisted that his iftar food remain pure during Ramadan and kept it in a specific sealed pouch, in such a manner that some mistakenly assumed this to be a sign of miserliness. [2]
This diligence caused individuals who were not committed to observing the rights of others and legal and religious regulations in their economic dealings to lose their standing among the people and, in a sense, become isolated.
While emphasizing the observance of legal and religious rights in the acquisition of wealth and capital, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) also recommended ethical economic approaches such as contentment.
For instance, in response to Adi ibn Hatam, who had asked about the reason for the simplicity of his iftar table, the Imam stated that contentment was his purpose in maintaining such a practice. [3]
Likewise, maintaining family ties, attending to relatives, and recommending the feeding of the needy were among the other practices that Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) emphasized during Ramadan, and through this approach, social responsibility and attention to the people’s economic hardships were realized. [4]
Attention to Jihad and Political Accountability
The conduct of Amir al-Muminin (upon whom be peace) and the actions in the month of Ramadan were not limited to heart-rendering, ethical and spiritual stances. But, participation in the most important confrontations of politics such as the Battle of al-Badr and others is among emphasized actions from the point of view of Amir al-Muminin and honors for him.
This battle took place after the revelation of the verse establishing the obligation of fasting in Ramadan and on the seventeenth of Ramadan in the second year after Hijrah. During the journey, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), alongside the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), bore the black banner known as Eagle. [5][6][7][8]
In Ramadan of the seventh year after Hijrah, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) was appointed to lead a force of one hundred men toward Fadak.
In the course of this expedition, he directed the troops to travel by night so that their destination would remain concealed from the enemy. [9]
The campaign in Fadak was brought to a successful conclusion through careful planning and wise leadership. It was accomplished without bloodshed, and the Jewish-inhabited region was taken.
The banner was entrusted to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) in order to ensure that no violence or excess would be committed by the victorious Muslim forces. [11]
Thus, the other Imams and the Alawites adhered to the conduct of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) in undertaking significant political and military roles during devotional and religious seasons such as Ramadan.
As al-Baladhuri notes in his book:
“When Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) was assassinated in the mosque in Ramadan of the fortieth year after Hijrah by Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam, al-Hussain ibn Ali (peace be upon him) was in al-Mada’in, commanding an army to confront the Syrians.” [12]
Other Alawites who began their jihad and armed uprisings in Ramadan or were martyred in Ramadan are as follows:
- a) Hasan ibn Zayd ibn Muhammad ibn Ismail ibn Hasan ibn Zayd ibn Hasan ibn Ali. [13]
- b) Ibrahim ibn Abdullah ibn Hasan ibn Hasan ibn Ali, known as Ibrahim al-Bakhmari. [14]
- c) Muhammad ibnAbdullah ibn Hasan ibn Hassan ibn Ali, known as al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah. [15]
