Characteristics of war and jihad from the perspective of Imam Ali (a)

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    What are the characteristics of war and jihad from the perspective of Imam Ali (AS)?


    Divine motivation and fighting for the sake of God are among the main characteristics of war and jihad in the view of Imam Ali (AS). According to the Imam's advice, fighters should not let personal grudges interfere in their battle with the enemy. Imam Ali (AS) regarded war as the last resort and emphasized that efforts should be made to prevent war through counsel and goodwill. He considered peace superior to war, as reflected in his advice to Malik al-Ashtar, where he stated that if the enemy proposes peace, and it benefits the nation and pleases God, peace should be immediately accepted. Amir al-Mu'minin (AS) considered initiating war without first offering the opportunity for reconciliation to be a wrongful act and made great efforts to guide the opposing side.

    Characteristics of Jihad in the words of Amir al-Mu'minin

    In the view of Amir al-Mu'minin (AS), the Islamic front, in addition to adhering to general principles of warfare, should observe a set of specific characteristics and etiquette. Following these principles is not only effective in achieving victory but also in demonstrating the righteousness of the Islamic cause. Some of these principles and characteristics include:

    War and Jihad for the sake of God (Pure Intention)

    In Imam Ali's view, war and jihad, if motivated by divine intentions and pursued for the sake of God, have value and importance. He advised his companions not to fight the enemy out of personal grudges, but rather to wage war solely for God's sake. He instructed his military commander, Ma'qal ibn Qays, with the following words: «وَلَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ شَنَآنُهُمْ عَلَى قِتَالِهِم‏»[1]

    Abdulrahman ibn Abi Laila reports that when Imam Ali (AS)'s army faced the forces of Sham at Siffin, Imam Ali (AS) delivered a speech in which he said: «أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِنَّهُ مَنْ رَأَى عُدْوَاناً يُعْمَلُ بِهِ وَ مُنْكَراً يُدْعَى إِلَيْهِ فَأَنْكَرَهُ بِقَلْبِهِ فَقَدْ سَلِمَ وَ بَرِئ»[2]

    When Imam Ali (AS) was struck by the blow of Ibn Muljam, he left a will for his children, urging them to engage in jihad with their wealth, lives, and tongues for the sake of God: «وَ اللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي الْجِهَادِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ».[3]

    War as the Last Resort

    Imam Ali (AS) considered war a last resort and stressed that it should be prevented through counsel and goodwill. He regarded peace as superior to war, and he told Malik al-Ashtar: «وَ لَا تَدْفَعَنَّ صُلْحاً دَعَاكَ إِلَيْهِ عَدُوُّكَ وَ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ رِضًا فَإِنَّ فِي الصُّلْحِ دَعَةً لِجُنُودِكَ وَ رَاحَةً مِنْ هُمُومِكَ وَ أَمْناً لِبِلَادِكَ وَ لَكِنِ الْحَذَرَ كُلَّ الْحَذَرِ مِنْ عَدُوِّكَ بَعْدَ صُلْحِهِ»[4]

    Imam Ali (AS) believed that if appropriate political strategies to prevent war failed and it led to war, every opportunity should be seized to end the conflict and restore peace. He wrote to one of his commanders about a group of rebels: «فَإِنْ عَادُوا إِلَى ظِلِّ الطَّاعَةِ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي نُحِبُّ»[5]

    Before the Battle of Jamal, Imam Ali (AS) expressed hope for peace, provided the opposition accepted. However, if they did not accept, he would resort to the final remedy, which was war.[6] Before the Battle of Jamal, Rifa'ah ibn Rafi' asked Imam Ali (AS) what his decision was, and the Imam replied: "What I intend is reform. If they accept, we will proceed. If they do not accept, we will offer them a portion of the truth, hoping to persuade them." Rifa'ah asked: "If they do not accept?" Imam replied: "If they leave us to ourselves, we will leave them to their own devices." Rifa'ah then asked: "What if they do not leave us alone?" Imam Ali (AS) replied: "We will defend ourselves against them." Rifa'ah said: "That seems like a good decision."[7]

    Before the Battle of Siffin, Imam Ali (AS)'s army expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in fighting the Syrians. Imam explained that the delay was for the hope that some of the enemies would join his side and be guided: «فَوَاللَّهِ مَا دَفَعْتُ الْحَرْبَ يَوْماً إِلَّا وَ أَنَا أَطْمَعُ أَنْ تَلْحَقَ بِي طَائِفَةٌ فَتَهْتَدِيَ بِي وَ تَعْشُوَ إِلَى ضَوْئِي وَ ذَلِكَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَقْتُلَهَا عَلَى ضَلَالِهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ تَبُوءُ بِآثَامِهَا».[8]

    Avoiding War Before Exhausting All Peaceful Measures

    It is said that Imam Ali (AS) never initiated war without exhausting all peaceful avenues first. Sheikh Mufid writes about the Battle of Jamal: Imam Ali (AS) said to the people: "Do not rush into war! Let me complete the argument with this group." He then summoned Abdullah ibn Abbas, gave him a Quran, and asked him to take it to Talhah, Zubair, and Aisha, calling them to the rulings of the Quran.[9] Ibn Abbas went to the enemy and upon his return, he said: "This group is only seeking war." The enemy archers began shooting, and Ibn Abbas urged Imam Ali (AS) to order the battle to begin. However, Imam Ali (AS) did not give the order to fight and called for another opportunity to complete the argument with them.[10]

    Patience in War

    Imam Ali (AS) repeatedly encouraged his army to exercise patience and perseverance during the battles, advising them that while the enemy may be more numerous, the true strength lies in resolve and in fighting for the sake of God. In his speech during the Battle of Siffin, Imam Ali (AS) said: «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فِي حَقِّ رَبِّكُمْ وَ فِي دِمَائِكُمْ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَ فِي أَعْرَاضِكُمْ فِي مَالِكُمْ وَ فِي عَمَلِكُمْ»[11]

    War for the Defense of the Faith and the Protection of Innocent People

    For Imam Ali (AS), the primary aim of war was the defense of the faith and the protection of the innocent. For him, fighting was not about gaining wealth or revenge but was solely for the preservation of Islam and justice. One of the Imam's most famous speeches during his reign was his declaration: «وَاللَّهِ لَا أُحِبُّ لَكُمْ النَّصْرَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكُمْ فِي السُّوءِ وَلَا فِي زَخْرَفٍ وَ لَا فِي دُورٍ وَ لَا فِي خَيْلٍ وَ لَا فِي بُسْتَانٍ».[12]

    Conclusion

    From Imam Ali's perspective, war is not a preferred option but a means to protect the faith and ensure justice. His view on jihad emphasizes a commitment to peace, self-control, and integrity, stressing the importance of sincerity in fighting for God's cause. The Imam's guidelines in the conduct of war underscore the crucial balance between upholding the dignity of Islam and achieving victory through righteous means.

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