I dedicate this work primarily to the great personality of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (p), teacher, scholar, reformer, spiritual guide, moralist, jurist, administrator, ruler, military commander, friend of the poor and downtrodden, and much more. My father, the Late Dr. Syed Akhtar Ahmed, had done deep study of the book Nahjul Balagha or Peak of Eloquence. He was instrumental in drawing my attention to this valuable work at an early age.

“By God, even if I am given all the domain of the Heavens, with all that exists under the skies, in order to disobey God to the extent of snatching one grain of barley from an ant, I will not do it. For me all (the riches of) the world are (worth) less than the leaf in the mouth of a locust that it is chewing.” [Imam Ali (p) in Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 222]