The Wars of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him): Their Repercussions and Outcomes (A Study in Nahj al-Balagha

Abstract

Human history has witnessed numerous wars—some religious, others nationalistic, and others still tribal in nature. The legitimacy of these wars is not necessarily negated by their consequences, whether positive or negative, on humanity’s continuous progress toward growth and prosperity. What concerns us here is an examination of the wars waged by Imam Ali (peace be upon him), their repercussions, as well as the motives, causes, and objectives he envisioned. His efforts aimed at making these wars reformative, addressing various aspects of life. To shed light on and clarify the true objectives of those who opposed him (peace be upon him)—that is, the causes and consequences—it is essential to refer to him through his sermons, admonitions, and wisdom as recorded in the book Nahj al-Balagha.