Ferdaows Cultural Foundation - Conference 2005: Program

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MERCIFUL THE MOST COMPASSIONATE

The Conference Declaration

Theme of this conference: Islam is for Peace, Harmony and Coexistence in the world

By the grace of the Almighty Allah, and upon the invitation from Alferdaos centre, Almajlis Alhussaini, Markaz Eltathgheef Al-islami and British Shia Muslim Action Committee (BSMAC), a meeting in London on the 19th of august, 2005 took place. A group of Muslim writers, scholars and clergymen discussed the current issues facing Muslims especially analysing the growing phenomena of violence and killing of innocent civilians in the name of Islam which is putting pressure on the vast majority of Muslims who condemn such activities all over the world.

The blessed divine occasion of Anniversary of the birthday of Imam Ali (as) who is the Divine Deputy (wassi) of our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) need to be utilised to highlight the real spirit of Islam and its rejection of killing any human life, whether Muslim and non-Muslim without a truthful legal reason as understood from the Holy Qur’an and teachings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and Imam Ali (as) and Ahlulbayt (as).

The Conference delegates discussed the means to contain violent extremism and ways to spread the truthful and balanced maxims and doctrines of Islam which call for love, peace and coexistence between all races, faiths and religions.

At the end of the Conference, the delegates agreed on the following recommendations:

The International Community is requested to differentiate between terrorism and Muslims, and between moderate, and extremist Muslims who try to interpret Islam according to their political perception and ambitions in the name of Islam and take the role of Allah in judging people and condemning to death.

It is a well known fact that Terrorism and Extremism are phenomena present in other religions and cults all over the world and in various stages of a human history.

Muslims are invited to present the teachings and deeds of real and pure Islam which rejects violence and injustice in all its aspects and calls for Harmony and Peace amongst religions and nations.

Encourage coherence and cooperation between various Muslim Organizations and Research Centres as well as Scholars all over the world to establish policies of tolerance, dialogue and mutual respects amongst all nations and cults as basis to spread security, justice and harmony on earth.

Encourage long term politics to maintain the struggle against violent extremism in the future through holding seminars, conferences and dialogue meetings to diagnose the root causes of terrorism and propose effective solutions to get rid of extremist violent activities in its various forms.

Encourage help on personal or collective levels to ease the suffering of victims of violence and to overcome the tragic circumstances enforced upon them by the terrorists, especially the extremely difficult circumstances these days enforced upon our people in Iraq.

People utilization of all media facilities to spread the culture of dialogue, coexistence and peaceful handling of power and refuse all the calls to discredit and disenfranchise other sections of the community especially the ethnic minorities. We also need to expose the false claims of extremists and inducers of violent acts and encourage writers and scholars to present the proper interpretation of Quranic teaching. We propose the adoption of a steering Committee and the publishing of a periodical journal specialised in dealing with spreading the culture of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence according to the proper teaching of Islam.

"Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way"     Holy Qur’an

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Praise is to Allah and peace and blessing be upon His Messenger and his pure family

"Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, and the system of comprehensive mercy"

Have you known of a utopian city in the face of the earth?

And did the Almighty Allah create a human being that is perfect?

Two important questions that have kept humanity restless for thousands of years ...

Indeed we have clear and precise answers to the two questions ... and this is basis of this brief and rushed presentation.

Before we delve into the main issue, and as an introduction, we consider an important principle in philosophy, which states that the nature of things may be divided into five categories:



The philosophical debate about these is long and we will not enter it except that we shall only consider the outward manifestation in that did the Almighty create that which is pure good?

Does that which is pure light with no darkness, and which is pure good exist?

Does that which is perfect in all aspects exist?

What is that which is idealistic in all dimensions?

Does that which humanity dreams of exist?

The Wise reply: Yes.

And to support their position they refer to such reasons as:

that points to God’s power and ability,

that is from the beauty of creation,

that is a reality ... for the best reason for the possibility of a thing is its reality.

But does this creation exist?

The answer is: Yes ... and the manifest examples of this are: the angels, the prophets and their appointed successors.

And since the topic of this blessed conference is "Imam Ali, peace be upon him – Non-Violence and Peaceful Coexistence", we shall limit our talk on one aspect of the life and methodology of this great man who is pure good, and pure light ... who was perfect in all aspects, and idealistic in all dimensions, just as the great prophets of Allah were... Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all.

Indeed Imam Ali, peace be upon him, was the manifestation of the comprehensive mercy, just as the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad al-Mostafa (The Chosen One) was before him, and that was evident – amongst others – in his opposition and condemnation of every aspect of violence and oppression ... and to delve into this topic would require a work of several volumes. However, presented here is a quick outline of some of his administrational decrees and some of his dealings and interactions:

Firstly: on the issue of "the heart and the self", Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says in his instructions to Malik al-Ashtar when he appointed him as the governor of Egypt:

"...and adhere your heart to mercy for the masses, and love for them, and kindness to them..."

And with this Imam Ali’s methodology is distinguished from amongst all others, for it is not only just policies that are aimed for, but rather it is imperative that the heart of the ruler should be filled with mercy for them and love.

And that is not an optional or a desirable issue, but rather it is an obligatory order, for the phrase of the instruction "and adhere your heart to mercy"

has the form of a command indicating its obligatory nature,

that the context of the instruction is another reason for it being obligatory, as it can be seen from the rest of the instruction, "and do not be a severe predator upon them",

the position is also a further reason for it being obligatory ... since the Imam is issuing administrational decrees in his position of being head of state.

And there are thousands of evidences in his lifestyle and his style of government that he was at the peak of this noble character; he had "love for masses and kindness to them" like the most passionate fathers about his children in love and kindness.

And it is evident that throughout his reign he, peace be upon him, was adamant that he would not rest for a moment in his endeavour ... no summer holidays and no resting periods – like what politicians, kings, and presidents do – and no late night partying and relaxation ... like what ordinary people do ... and more than that he would even deny himself sleep so that he would spend every moment of his life defending the masses, and the right of every one of his subjects. He used to say, "If I were to sleep at night I would lose my benefit (of worship), and if I were to sleep during the day I would lose my subjects." In fact he used to take a rest in the shade of a tree in the middle of the city during midday in the intense heat while all the people were in their homes, so that he would be accessible to any oppressed wanting to reach the ruler of the land directly and without any guards and barriers, and even without the delay of making an appointment to see the ruler. Does the best of democracies in the world today dream of such example?

Secondly: Imam Ali’s comprehensive mercy is manifested clearly:

... when we see his condemnation of "the end justifies the means" and rejection of opportunism, even in those cases that most people would consider as wise and far-sighted or being based on prioritisation of the matter. We find him say:

"By Allah, if I were to be given the seven heavens with what they encompass, on that I disobey Allah in [the right] of an ant that I deny it the skin of a wheat, I would not do so."

What glorious words . . . and what great wisdom . . . and compare that with what the terrorists do in terms of kidnapping, killing, slaughtering, explosions in Iraq and all other parts of the world, in order to achieve some despicable ends, and reputation . . .

Perhaps one would ask, "Why is that?" and "is it not better to prioritise in such matters?"

It is here that Imam Ali’s greatness becomes more and more apparent. It is through this amazing stand and through this word, he uncovers for us the immense greatness of worshipping Allah the Exalted, and the greatness of truth, and greatness of himself too.

A quick look into his word would reveal:

Disobeying Allah is a red line that may not be crossed, even if it may seem trivial and insignificant, "on that I disobey Allah in [the right] of an ant that I deny it the skin of a wheat, I would not do so." Since any disobedience of Allah is great, for it is disobedience of Allah the great . . . since "the worst of the sins are those its culprit considers insignificant."

The "right" however trivial and insignificant it may seem, it still has an "absolute value", and on this he founds the government of truth, over that of "prioritisation". This is discussed in detail in jurisprudence circles, the scope of which is beyond this extremely short presentation.

To consider any right, even the right of an ant to a wheat germ as a no go area, is the means to shut down the runway from which the launch of "ignoring and destroying" small rights begins and gradually leads up to denying the greatest of rights and most significant of values, by citing empty excuses [such as] "in the public interest". And this is what all dictatorships do in the world. And this is what western governments have begun doing, citing the excuse of fighting terrorism. It is enough to sift through the "war against terrorism" laws in America and Europe to see how many innocent people have had their rights violated under this excuse, which practically have accused all the Muslims despite the fact they were the first victims of terror.

Thirdly: on the issue of "other religions":

We find Imam Ali say just as the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said, "He who hurts a [non-Muslim] has indeed hurt me." And the act of hurting also includes a painful word or harsh look. "has indeed hurt me." Which Muslim individual is prepared to hurt the Prophet or the Imam? Imam Ali states that hurting any Jew or Christian is tantamount to hurting the Prophet himself. Then does a terrorist who sets off explosives in various parts of the world killing innocent victims has the right to claim to be a Muslim?

We hear another word from Imam Ali peace be upon him, who says: "if I were to rule in government, I would judge the people of the Torah according to their Torah, and those of the Gospel according to their Gospel and those of the Qur’an according to their Qur’an, such that every book would say "Ali acted upon me according to the law of Allah."

And when he reached the government, his deed mirrored his words, and his way of government showed no less brilliance and transparency than his words and promises, and this is the distinguishing factor that uncovers the greatness of this perfect man from great leaders who promise but do not honour, and who make the most beautiful rhetoric, but when they reach power, would dismiss the promises they made as if they were a different creation who never made a promise.

Fourthly: on dealing with the enemy

Imam Ali peace be upon him states: "Freely give your enemy your justice and fairness." This goes hand in hand with what the Almighty said in the holy Qur’an, ?. . . and let not the animosity of a people [towards you] drive you not to do justice, do justice . . . ? [1]

Justice with friends is difficult, and with the general public is more difficult, but when it comes to the enemy it is very difficult such that it is close to impossible, but that is the policy of the Imam Ali peace be upon him.

Let’s look at the following:

The USA dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima on 6th August 1945, and on Nagasaki on 9th August 1945, which resulted in the perishing of more than 170,000 people.

Today in Iraq, the amount of nuclear radiation that has resulted from the action of the allied forces in the year 2003, which has come about from the Uranium contained in the Cruise missiles, the smart – and stupid – bombs, the 120mm calibre tank guns, etc. according to the organisation Dissidentvoice, this nuclear radiation that has targeted Iraq is equivalent to that produced by more than 250,000 bombs dropped on Nagasaki. See www.dissidentvoice.org.

On the other hand, we see the stand taken by the Messenger of Allah and Imam Ali peace upon them when "The Messenger of Allah prohibited the hurling of poison in the land of the infidels.", as narrated by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon them. [Wasa’el al-Shi’a, volume15, page 62.]

This is despite the fact that that would not result in the death of anyone. It is reported that when the battle between the two sides ended up with the Muslim side surrounding the fortress of the enemy, someone suggested that the water stream that feeds the fortress is poisoned so that they surrender quickly. The Prophet rejected that proposal so that thirst would not constitute any pressure on the women, children, and the elderly. Of course the poisoning of the river would not have resulted in any death of the infidels, since the news of the poisoning would have reached them, so that they would not drink from it, and that they have no choice other than giving up. But that policy was flatly rejected.

As with Imam Ali peace be upon him, during the battle of Siffin, when the army of Mo’awiyah surrounded the water access [to the river, and barred the army of Imam Ali from reaching it], the Imam sent a squadron to disperse them and established their control over the river access. Then some of the army personnel asked Imam Ali to deny the army of Mo’awiyah access to water in response to what they had done, and so that they would surrender quickly, but he rejected the proposal.

Truly he is the perfect human being and eternal symbol of humanity.

The reports of the dealings of Imam Ali with his foes are many, and those about his favours to his enemies are also very many, and one can find some of them in such reference books as Bihar al-Anwar by al-Majlesi, and also in books such as "Amir al-Mo’menin – a sun in the horizon of humanity", by Imam Muhammad Shirazi, and "Politics from the Islamic perspective" by the eminent authority on Islam Grand Ayatollah Sadiq Shirazi.

On the same principle, Imam Ali refused to apprehend his would be murderer – Ibn Muljim – even though Imam Ali new of Ibn Muljim’s plan to murder him. Which government on the face of the earth has such a leader?

Imam Ali continued to give state benefits to the Khawarij despite his knowledge of their plan to rebel against him and wage a fierce battle against his elected government. He treated them in the same way as he did other people . . . no detention, or exile, or harassment, or persecution, etc.

He refused to arrest the leaders of the commotion that was started against him (Talha and Zubair) or exile them or take any other measures against them, despite knowing that they were planning to wage a war against him and his elected government.

So let us compare that with the laws of fighting terrorism, and the 12-point law proposed by the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.

We would then find that the democracy in the West is not even one percent of Imam Ali’s humanity, democracy, and his just government.

This is the script of the speech given by Ayatollah Sayyid Murtad}a Shirazi – Head of Imam Shirazi World Foundation – in the conference "Imam Ali, Non-Violence, Peaceful Coexistence".

IMAM ALI (AS) THE SYMBOL OF DIGNITIY, LOVE AND REAL ISLAM

IT IS A GREAT HONOUR FOR ME AND ANY ENLIGHTED MAN OR WOMEN TO STAND AND TALK ABOUT IMAM ALI (AS) THE GREAT SON OF ISLAM AND THE SELECTED AND ELECTED CALIPHE OF EARLY ISLAM AFTER THE PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH).

IT IS NOT AT ALL EASY TO DISCUSS EVEN ONE ASPECT OF THE BLESSED LIVE OF THE GREAT OCEAN OF ENLIGHTMENT AND GUIDENCE IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. TODAY WE ARE GATHERING TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF THIS GREAT LEADER OF HUMMANITY IN ITS CLEAREST SENSE, THE COUSIN AND A CLOSE COMPANION OF OUR BELOVED PROPHET (PBUH). HE WAS THE FIRST VICTIM OF VIOLENT, EXTREMEST AND IDEOLOGIIALLY DERANGED AND MORALLY CORRUPT SO CALLED "MUSLIM TERRORIST" GROUP "ALKHAWAREJH ", WHO SEVERED HIS HEAD WHILE HE WAS PRAYING BOWING TO ALLAH (SW) IN THE KOFA MOSQUE, AND WAS OBSERVING THE FAST IN THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN.

THEREFORE, I WILL PAUCE BREIFLY AND HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN ASPECTS OF IMAM ALI’S MAXIMS AND SAYINGS AS STATIONS FOR THOUGHT.

FIRST : HE WAS BORN INSIDE THE HOUSE OF ALLAH i.e. AL-KAABA SIGNIFIES THE PIETY AND CLEANNESS OF IMAM ALI (AS) AND HIS MOTHER DURING THOSE CRUCIAL MOMENTS OF GIVING BIRTH TO A CHILD BY THE MOST PIOUS LADY OF HER TIME HIS MOTHER FATIMA BINT ASSAD (AS).

NO BODY ELSE BEFORE AND/OR AFTER ISLAM WAS BORN IN THE KAABA, EXCEPT IMAM ALI (AS). AL-KAABA IS ALSO CALLED BAYTO ALLAH AND IN THE ARABIC LANGUAGE YOU DO NOT CALL " BAYT " TO A BUILDING WHICH HAS NOT BEEN INHABITED, AND IT’S NOT LOGICAL TO EXPECT THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH (SW) TO INHABIT AL-KAABA WHICH IS AN IMPOSSIBILITY AS ALLAH (SW) HAS NO LIMITS. THEREFORE THE BLESSED WORD OF BAYTO ALLAH IS TO REFER TO THE SHORT STAY OF IMAM ALI’S MOTHER AND HER NEW BORN BABY FOR GIVING BIRTH AND THE THREE DAYS AFTERWARDS WHEN SHE STAYED INSIDE THE ‘KAABA’ AFTER IT’S WALL MIRACULOUSLY OPENNED UP TO ACCOMMODATE HER AND HIM WHEN SHE STARTED FEELING THE LABOUR PAIN AND MIRACULOSLY CLOSED BEHIND HER SO NO BODY ELSE COULD ENTER AFTER HER. HENCE THE NAME OF ‘AL-KAABA’ BECAME SYNONOMOUS TO THE NAME OF ‘BAYTULLAH’ BY THOSE TWO BLESSED OCCUPANTS: IMAM ALI + HIS MOTHER (AS).

THEN FATIMA BINT ASSAD WANTED TO COME OUT, THE CRACK IN THE WALL OF THE KAABA OPENNED AGAIN, AND THE PROPHET (PBUH) RECEIVED IMAM ALI FROM HER ARMS KISSED HIM AND CALLED : "OH ALI’ YOU ARE SUPER IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE HEREAFTER".

انت علي في الدنيا و الاخره

SECOND : HIS HUMANITY, ONE OF THE IMAM’S FAMOUS SAYING’S:

"KEEP WITH THE GRASS ROOT MAJORITY BECAUSE THE POWER OF GOD, (ALLAH) IS WITH THEM"

الزموا السواد الأعظم فان يد الله مع الجماعه   (a)

HIS COMMANDS TO HIS GOVERNOR OF EGYPT MALIK AL-ASHTAR:

" و أشعر قلبك الرحمة والمحبة لهم واللطف بهم ولاتكونن عليهم
سبعا ضاربا تفتنهم افانهم صنفان اما اخ لك في الدين  أو نظير لك في الخلق"   (b)

"FORCE YOUR HEART TO FEEL THE LOVE AND MERCY TOWARDS YOUR SUBJECTS. TREAT THEM KINDLY AND DO NOT ACT LIKE VICIOUS LIONS AGAINST THEM. PEOPLE CAN ONLY BE TWO TYPES EITHER YOUR BROTHER IN RELIGION OR YOUR LIKENESS IN CREATION".

SUCH AN ADVICE IS THE CORNERSTONE FOR INSISTANCE ON DOING GOOD AND AVOIDING EVIL, WHICH IS THE FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON A DECENT SOCIETEY.

THIRD: IMAM ALI’S (AS) DESIGNATED AND DIVINE ROLE WAS TO SUSTAIN AND PROMOTE ISLAMIC TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES AFTER THE PROPHET (PBUH) WHO USED TO TELL HIM "MY STRUGGLE WAS TO ESTABLISH THE REVELATION OF THE FAITH AND YOUR STRUGGLE WILL BE THE INTERPRETATION OF THE FAITH".

قال الرسول (ص): أنا اقاتلهم على التنزيل وأنت تقاتلهم على التأويل

THE SECOND CALIPHE OMAR USED TO SAY OFTEN WHILE HE WAS IN POWER:

"WITHOUT ALI I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE"

قال عمر " لولا علي لهلك عمر "


  و


  " لا معضله ليس لها أبو الحسن"


"THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE SOLVED BY ABU ALHASSAN i.e. IMAM ALI (AS)".

BECAUSE IMAM ALI (AS) EVEN WHEN HE WAS DENIED HIS DIVINE RIGHT TO BE THE ROLER OF MUSLIMS AFTER THE MARTEDUM OF THE HOLY PROPHRT (PBUH) , HE ACCEPTED STAYING AT HOME AND GIVE OTHER CALIPHES ADVICE AND HELP IN THE RUNNING OF THE NEWLY EMEGING ISLAMIC STATE DESPITE HIS OWN RESERVATIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THEIR BEHAVIOUR & ROLE FOR THE SAKE OF UNITY BETWEEN THE MUSLIM NATION.

IN OUR TIMES OF TROUBLE THOSE IN POWER NEED TO, SERIOUSLY LEARN AND BENEFIT FROM IMAM ALI’S (AS) TEACHINGS IN DEALING AND GOVERNING PEOPLE.

WE THE GRASSROOT MUSLIMS ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE REAL SPIRIT OF ISLAM THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF IMA ALI (AS) SO THAT WE GET PROTECTED AND IMMUNE TO THE CURRENT DERANGED IDEOLOGY THAT ANIMATES THE SO CALLED ISLAMIC TERRORISM. AS YOU KNOW THE GREAT MAJORITY OF BELIEVING AND PRACTCING MUSLIMS FEEL:

ISLAM HAS BEEN TARNISHED BY THE MEDIA GIVING THEIR EXCESS COVERAGE OF THOSE WHO COMMIT VIOLENT AND CRIMINAL ACTS IN THE NAME OF ISLAM, OR HIJACKED BY THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES ISLAMIC JIHADIS WHO WANT TO FORCE THEIR WAY INTO THE POLITICAL

LIFE BY THE FIRE OF THE BULLETS RATHER THAN BY THEIR LOGIC AND THE INFORMED CHOICE OF THE UMMA THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX, BE IT IN: BAGHDAD, OR RYAD OR LONDON, OR CABUL, OR CAIRO. TERRORISM HAS NO MORE RELEVANCE TO ISLAM THAN CATHOLICISM HAS TO THE IRA IN NORTHERN IRELAND!

WE HAVE IN THE HOLY QURAN THAT:

" THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION "

(لا اكراه في الدين)


THEREFORE, THE JIHADIS HAVE NO RIGHT TO FORCE ISLAM ON TO THE REST OF THE HUMANITY, AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE KNOWLEDGE AND FREEDOM OF CHOICE WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE. HENCE THE PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE ISLAMIC FAITH AS PRESENTED BY IMAM ALI (AS) AND HIS FOLLOWERS IS THE WAY FORWARD TO DEFEAT “ TERRORISM AND INJUSTICE ” IN THE NAME OF ISLAM. MUSLIMS AND NON MUSLIMS NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND HELP EACH OTHER TO ACHIEVE THIS, AS THE FIRE OF TERROR KNOWS NO RELIGIOUS OR CULTURAL BOUNDARIES.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : WE ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THIS, AND WILL PAY HEAVIER PRICES IF WE DO NOT UNITE IN ORDER TO ROOT OUT THE CAUSES OF THE PLAGUE OF TERRORISM.

FOURTH : IMAM ALI (AS) WAS THE FIRST VICTIM OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM, AND WRONG INTERPRETATIONS OF ISLAM IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE ISLAMIC STATE: ON THE HANDS OF A DERANGED MUSLIM HIS HEAD WAS SEVERED BY A POISNED SWORD WHILE HE WAS LEADING THE MORNING PRAYER IN THE KUFA MOSQUE ON THE 19TH OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.

THEREFORE, OH OUR IMAM WE NEED YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY FAR MORE THAN THE COMPANIONS AND THE CALIPHES NEEDED YOU IN YOUR LIFE, WHO FAILED TO APPRECIATE YOUR INTERPRETATIONS OF THE REAL SPIRIT OF ISLAM AS TAUGHT TO YOU BY THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH).

DR. ALI AL HUSSAINI
CHAIRMAN OF BRITISH SHIA MUSLIM ACTION COMMITTEE (BSMAC), UK.
RAJJAB, 1426 (AUGUST, 2005)
ENDED

Exodus 8:9 And Moses said to Pharaoh, "May

Ali be honored! When I pray,

Shall I intercede for you, for

Your servants, and your people more,

To destroy the frogs from you and

Your houses, that they may leave land,

Remaining in the river strand?"

Beloved, destroy the frogs from me and mine,

The frogs of unbelief as well as wine

of false belief, and honoured be Ali

Whom You appointed at Ghadir to be

The Prophet's viceroy and the one to speak

In Favour of Your law, defend the weak,

And raise a banner of the Unity

Of God as one, Muhammad and Ali.

Some flatter kings and bow before their reign,

And greet them with the finest words of vain,

For non of them seek justice nor attain

To right role in the world of loss and gain.

But Moses greets the king with right submission

to God's appointed. Let that be my mission.

Numbers 21:16 From there they went to Beer the well

Where YHWH said to Moses a spell

"Gather the folk together, I

Shall give them water by and by

17 Then Israel sang this song "Ali

exalted ones a well to see!"

The well of Kauthar, my Beloved, is soon

Exposed to Paradise, its trees and boon.

The nobles of the nations dug in search

Of it from desert palm to northern birch,

The leaders sank it deep to find their worth,

And Moses, long before deer Ali's birth,

Sang in the Law the praises due to him

That You appointed from the desert rim

Of Ghadir. So the people sang in omen

And prophecy so loud and clear that no man

Could gainsay guidance set by God alone

And sure as carved, engraved in granite stone.

I sang this song, O my Beloved, to you:

Ali exalted is a well and true.

Numbers 24:3 Then he took up his oracle

And said "The utterance in full

Of Balaam the son of Beor,

The utterance of the man for

Whom eyes are open, 4 utterance

Of him who hears the words in trance

Of El, who sees the vision of

The Almighty, who falls in love,

With eyes wide open" 5 'How lovely

Are your tents, O Jacob! And free

Your dwellings, O Israel! 6 Ali

Shall be like valleys that spread out,

Like gardens by the riverside,

Like aloes planted without doubt

By YHWH, like cedars on the tide

Of waters. 7 He shall pour out from

His buckets waters, his seed come

Like many waters, his king shall

Be higher than Agag's cabal,

Exalted, his kingdom stands fast.

8 From Egypt El brings him to last,

He has strength like a wild ox, he

Shall concume nations, enemy,

He'll break their bones and pierce with arrow.

9 He bows down willing at the harrow,

He lies down as a lion, and

As a lion, who'll make him stand?

Blessed is the one who blesses you,

And cursed is he who curses you,'''

When Balaam turned his sight from Israel

To gaze out on the desert without well,

You spoke to him in prophecy to tell

The triumphs and the virtues of Ali.

From Pisgah I too look out on the sea

Of troubled nations gathered toward the flood

Of the Euphrates, see the curse and blood,

And yet beyond the dryness of men's fate,

I see the luscious waters of the gate

Of Kauthar and the hand that raises cup

Filled to the brim, and still he holds it up.

The lion crouches, and You bid me bless

His name, and so I raise in righteousness

Once more confession of his royal state.

From The Beloved and I, vol. 1 Tawrat. Thomas McElwain

[1] The Holy Qur’an, The Table Spread (5):8