Lessons from Imam Ali's social attitude

One of the instructive aspects of Imam Ali's life is his attitude towards others. Imam Ali's social behavior displays an archetypal and exemplary Islamic lifestyle. The way he behaved towards his enemies, the way of conduct he had with the poor and even his attitude towards his neighbors are all examples of Islamic and Quranic conduct at its high standard. In this writing we try to cast a glance at the social aspect of Imam Ali's lifestyle.

1- His way of conduct towards the followers of other religions:
A good example of Imam Ali's behavior towards peoples of other beliefs is the story of his friendly and Islamic behavior towards a Jewish person. It has been narrated that a Jew arrived in Kufah from the Levant with a donkey whose load was wheat. Near kufah he loses his donkey along the load. When Imam Ali (a.s) becomes aware of his problem he finds his donkey and takes care of the man's property till the morning and only departs from him for the Morning Prayer and in the morning takes the man to the market and helps him sell his goods.[1] It has been narrated that when the man sees such good behavior of Imam Ali (a.s) he embraces Islam and bears testimony to the caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s) by saying: I bear witness that you are the scholar of this Umma and the caliph of the prophet of God over humans and the jinns.[2]
2- Taking care of the miserable and the sick:
One of the most famous characteristics of Imam Ali (a.s) is his taking care of the miserable and the poor and sick people. It has been quoted from Imam Ali (a.s) that he said: God has incorporated the food of the poor in the property of the rich. Thus no poor person starves, unless his food is monopolized by a rich  and God will take them accountable.[3] It has been narrated that one day Imam Ali (a.s) saw a blind old man who was begging. He asked who he was. They answered: he is a Christian. He rebuked them: you made use of his workforce when he was able until he became old and weak then you let him go on his own. Then he ordered to pay him from the public budget.[4] It has also been narrated that one day Sa'sa'ah ibn Sawhan fell ill. When Imam Ali (a.s) realized this he paid him a visit and praised him for his asceticism and said: I swear by God you conduct a simple life and help people.[5]
3- Keeping good relations with relatives:
Another manifestation of Imam Ali's social ethical behavior is his conduct towards his relative members. He was very kind to them. His behavior never showed conceit. He used to invite them over and pay visits to them when they were sick. He used to wash the hands of the guests and if one died he used to go to the funeral and express his condolences and sympathies to the bereaved.[6] It has been narrated that whenever he wanted to enter the house of his children he knocked the door and sought permission then entered.[7]

Footnotes:
[1] Muhammad Dashti, Imam ali's exemplar behavior, on behalf of Majalis al-Wa'izin, Vol. 1, p. 281.
[2] Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mawsu'ah al-Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, Vol. 4, p. 204, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 39, p. 191,  أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ عالِمُ هذِهِ الأُمَّةْ ، و خَليفَةُ رَسُولِ اللهِ (صلی الله علیه و اله) عَلَي الْجِنِّ وَ الأِنْس.
[3] The Journal of Islamic government, No. 18, p. 89; Commentary on Nahj al-Balaghah by Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Vol. 19, p. 240, إِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ فَرَضَ‏ فِي‏ أَمْوَالِ‏ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ أَقْوَاتَ‏ الْفُقَرَاءِ فَمَا جَاعَ‏ فَقِيرٌ إِلَّا بِمَا مُتِّعَ‏ بِهِ‏ غَنِيٌ‏ وَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى جَدُّهُ سَائِلُهُمْ عَنْ ذَلِك.
[4] Wasa’il al-Shi’a, Vol. 15, p. 66, مَرَّ شَيْخٌ مَكْفُوفٌ كَبِيرٌ يَسْأَلُ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا هَذَا قَالُوا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نَصْرَانِيٌّ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اسْتَعْمَلْتُمُوهُ‏ حَتَّى‏ إِذَا كَبِرَ وَ عَجَزَ مَنَعْتُمُوهُ أَنْفِقُوا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ.
[5] Ya'qubi, Tarikh, Vol. 2, p. 193, وَ اللهِ ما عَلِمْتُكَ إِلا خَفیفَ المَؤُنَةِ حُسْنَ المَعُونَةَ.
[6] Muhammad Dashti, Imam ali's exemplar behavior, p. 241.
[7] http://www.btid.org/fa/news/90049.