Great or Greatness are words that are often flouted simplistically, commonly and all too often, sadly, undeservedly. Used to describe actions of sporting prowess or political power. Sometimes it becomes infused within a figures name. Nearly everyone has heard of Alexander the Great. Though the “Great Alexander” is known as much for his brutal slaughter of innocents as he is remembered for his “great conquests”.
Enter, the truly great Imam Ali (as). A man that imbued the very characteristics of greatness. A man who lived greatness, gave greatness meaning, definition and most importantly gave greatness a benchmark.
The superficially inclined among people, or rather, those who are impressed purely by feats of strength and chivalry, quickly gravitate to Imam Ali (as). Regarded the finest soldier in the Islamic army. Of course it is certainly fair to qualify and quantify his incomparable achievements as a soldier. When asked by his companions why he refused to ride a horse into battle, Imam Ali said that he would neither chase after a fleeing soldier and nor would he flee from an advancing one, thus negating the need for a horse. However, the truest essence of greatness displayed by Imam Ali (as), lay not in his soldiering and strength, but rather in his humility, wisdom, knowledge, humanity, God consciousness, loyalty, devotion and above all his perfect example. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuhahf), famously proclaimed that “I am the city of knowledge and Ali (as) is the gate to this city”.
Greatness can be measured using many parameters and criterion. Furthermore the life and times of Imam Ali (as) are easily accessible to those who wish to study his biography. However nothing compares to physically visiting his holy shrine in Najaf, some ninety kilometres south of Karbala. For the majority of Arbaeen pilgrims, the journey begins at the Shrine of Imam Ali (as). For weeks before the Arbaeen the floor is barely visible, neither in the courtyard or the main mosque housing the mausoleum simply due to the physical density of sheer numbers of pilgrims.
“Bab Al Howaej”. The door of needs, the millions of pilgrims do not, as is often misunderstood, pray to the great Imam, but rather cling to the sanctified mausoleum and beseech Allah (swt) to grant their needs in the name of the Holy Imam, who is the most beloved by the Prophet and God.
Imam Ali is a remarkable locus of solace and forbearance to the Muslim community, all over the world and shall remain so forever and especially those fortunate enough to visit his Holy Shrine.
