Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 395
Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ibn Abi Taib (&) was exemplary in
his justice; he captured hearts and dazzled minds. The view that he
hied to implement was that justice was one of the most important
pillars of the Rightly Guided Caliphate, a practical means of calling
people to Islam and opening their hems to faith. This was the method
followed by the Messenger (g), as his rule was based on total justice
among people.
It was narrated that Shurayh said: "When 'Ali (&) . . set out to
fight MuZ2wiyah (&), he lost a shield. When the battle was over and
he returned to Kufah, he found a shield in the possession of a Jewish
man who was selling it in the marketplace. He said to him: '0 Jew,
this shield is my shield; I did not sell it or give it away.' The Jew said:
'It is my shield and is in my possession.' 'Ali (&) said: ' kt us go to
the judge.' So they went to Shurayh, and 'Ali (&) sat beside
Shurayh, while the Jew sat in front of him. Shurayh said: 'Speak, 0
Amir al-Mu'mineen.' He said: 'Yes. I say that this shield that is in the
Jew's hands is my shield; I did not sell it or give it away.' Shurayh
said: '0 Amiu al-Mu'mineen, give me proof.' He said: 'Yes.
~unbnr?~~ al-Hasan and al-Husayn will bear witness that this shield
is my shield.' Shurayh said: 'The testimony of the son for the father
does not count.' 'ALi (&) said: 'The testimony of a man who is one
of the people of paradise does not count? I heard the Messenger of
Allah (g) say: "Al-Hasan and al-Husayn will be the leaders of the
rr ,296
youth among the people of paradise. The Jew said: 'The Amir
al-Mn'mineen brought me to his judge, and his judge is ruhg against
him? I bear witness that this is the truth; I bear witness that there is no
God but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (@J,
and that the shield is your shield. You were riding on your dusky
camel, heading towards Siffeen; you dropped this (shield) at night,
and I picked it up.' 'Ali (&) said: 'Since you admit it, it is yours,'
and he gave him a horse too. I saw him when he went out to fight the
Kharijites with 'Ali at ~ ahanvin."~~~