| The United Nations has advised Arab countries to take Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) as an example in establishing a regime based on justice and democracy and encouraging knowledge. The UNDP in its 2002 Arab Human Development Report, distributed around the world, listed six sayings of Imam Ali (AS) about ideal governance. They include consultation between the ruler and the ruled, speaking out against corruption and other wrong doings, ensuring justice to all, and achieving domestic development. The UNDP said most regional countries are still far behind other nations in democracy, wide political representation, women's participation, development and knowledge. Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS)'s sayings: The UNDP quoted the following sayings of Imam Ali (AS) in its 2002 Arab Human Development Report: 1. "He who has appointed himself an Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by teaching himself before teaching others. His teaching of others must be first by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches and educates others." 2. "Your concern with developing the land should be greater than your concern for collecting taxes, for the latter can only be obtained by developing; whereas he who seeks revenue without development destroys the country and the people." 3. "Seek the company of the learned and the wise in search of solving the problems of your country and the righteousness of your people." 4. "No good can come out in keeping silent to the government or in speaking out of ignorance." 5. "The righteous are men of virtue, whose logic is straightforward, whose dress is unostentatious, whose path is modest, whose actions are many and who are undeterred by difficulties." 6. "Choose the best among your people to administer justice among them. Choose someone who does not easily give up, who is unruffled by enmities, someone who will not persist in wrong doings, who will not hesitate to pursue right once he knows it, someone whose heart knows no greed, who will not be satisfied with a minimum of explanation without seeking the maximum of understanding, who will be the most steadfast when doubt is cast, who will be the least impatient in correcting the opponent, the most patient in pursuing the truth, the most stern in meting out judgment, someone who is unaffected by flattery and not swayed by temptation and these are but few." |
Afsar Jafri added : you may also read page 82 of the UNDP report on
Imam Ali bin abi Taleb: (556-619 A.D.) knowledge and work
- No vessel is limitless, except for the vessel of knowledge, which forever expands.
- If God were to humiliate a human being, He would deny him knowledge
- No wealth equals the mind, no poverty equals ignorance, no heritage equals culture, and no support is greater than advice.
- Wisdom is the believer's quest, to be sought everywhere, even among the deceitful.
- A person is worth what he excels at.
- No wealth can profit you more than the mind, no isolation can be more desolate than conceit, no policy can be wiser than prudence, no generosity can be better than decency, no heritage can be more bountiful than culture, no guidance can be truer than inspiration, no enterprise can be more successful than goodness, and no honour can surpass knowledge.
- Knowledge is superior to wealth. Knowledge guards you, whereas you guard wealth. Wealth decreases with expenditure, whereas knowledge multiplies with dissemination. A good material deed vanishes as the material resources behind it vanish, whereas to knowledge we are indebted forever. Thanks to knowledge, you command people's respect during your lifetime, and kind memory after your death. Knowledge rules over wealth. Those who treasure wealth perish while they are still alive, whereas scholars live forever; they only disappear in physical image, but in hearts, their memories are enshrined.
- Knowledge is the twin of action. He who is knowledgeable must act. Knowledge calls upon action; if answered, it will stay; otherwise, it will depart.
Source: Ali bin abi Taleb, Nahj Al-Balagha, Interpreted by Imam Muhammad Abdu, Vol. 1, Dar-Al-Balagha, Beirut, 2nd edition, 1985.
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