2. Some of the virtues and most important characteristics

of 'Ali and the basis for his system of rule .................... 340 2.1. Knowledge and understanding of Islam ...... ... . ... ... ..342 2.2. The asceticism and piety of 'Ali .......................... ..357 2.3. The humility of 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib ........... ........... ..366 2.4. His generosity . .. . ... ... .. ... ... ...... . ... .... ........ .. .. .:... .... ..370 2.5. Shyness, or modesty, before Allah ......................... 373 2.6. True submission, patience and sincerity towards Allah 2.7. His gratitude to AUah.. ....... ... ... ... : ............. .... ... ... . ,382 2.8. Supplication to Allah 2.9. The ultimate referenc of Amk al-Mn'miueen 'Ali ibn Abi T2ib ................. 388 2.10. The right of the Ummah to keep watch on its rulers 390 2.11. Consultatio 2.12. Justice and equality. ..... ..... ...... .... ..... ... ..... .... ... .. . .. 394 2.13. Freedom ........ ... ... ... .. ... ....... .... ... . ... .... ......... . ... ... . ,399 3. 'ALi's life in society and his attention to enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil ......... ............. 401 3.1. His call to tawhid and combating shirk ............... 401 3.2. The amazing sermons of 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib .......... 429 3.3. 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib and poetry ... .... . ....... ..... ......... . ..433 3.4. Wise sayings of 'Ali which became widely circulated among the people ..... ... .... ... . .... ..... .... ... ...... 435 3.5. Comments of 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib on the attributes of the best of people, the supererogatory worship of the Prophet, and his description of the noble Companions 440 Contents of Volume 1 3.6. Warning against serious diseases. .... ... .... .... ... ... .. .. . . a 5 3.7. Ali's concern about setting guidelines for the marketplace, and various incidents in which he took a stand in order to correct people .. ... . ... .. . .. .. .454 3.8. The Police force at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Taib 464 CHAPTER IV Financial and judiciary Institutions at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Taib, and some of his views on Islamic jurisprudence