Methods and approaches to prevent poverty in Nahjal Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha is a book containing sermons, letters and short wise sentences of Imam Ali (a.s.), which according to some is the most important source of knowledge about Islam and religious values after the Holy Quran and prophetic hadiths. Seyed Razi, who is introduced as one of the great Shia scholars, collected this collection at the end of the ۴th century AH. He called the request of his friends to collect the eloquent and eloquent sayings of Amirul Momineen as his most important motivation for writing this book. The criterion for choosing the words of Imam Ali (AS) is mentioned in this book, eloquence and eloquence. For this reason, the book of Nahj al-Balagha is called "the clear way of rhetoric". Purpose – This paper aims to present an account and discussion of Imam Ali’s view on poverty and socio-economic justice. The concept of socio-economic justice is of utmost importance in Islamic teachings. Design/methodology/approach – This exercise is based on examining Nahj al-Balagha, a tenth century collection of sermons and letters of Imam Ali Ibn Abutalib. Findings – First, in Imam Ali’s view, socially just outcomes can only be achieved through just means and procedures. Second, acute and visible inequalities and side-by-side co-existence of extreme wealth and poverty in a society point to the existence of socio-economic injustices. Third, a society that is suffering from severe and continuous socio-economic injustices or, in other words, acute poverty and inequality will cease to prosper and develop. Fourth, the main objective of an Islamic governance system is to adopt policies, institutions and procedures that would reduce or eliminate socio-economic injustices. A government that fails to reduce socio-economic injustices, in Imam Ali’s view, has failed in its main mission of protecting the rights of the public and ensuring their prosperity. Finally, regardless of government action or inaction, each individual in a society is also responsible to reduce socio-economic injustices to the best of his/her knowledge and ability. Originality/value – This paper aims to present the first comprehensive account of Imam Ali’s view on poverty and socio-economic justice and it could prove to be practically useful to modern Muslims and non-Muslims alike, whatever their position in society.