ISLAMABAD: Renowned author and academic Dr. Hassan Abbas has emphasized the need to to appreciate the relevance of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)’s teachings in today’s world and to combat sectarianism and divisive forces operating in Ummah.
Dr Abbas, a professor of international relations at National Defense University Washington DC, made these remarks at the launch of the Urdu translation of his book, “The Prophet’s Heir: The Life of Ali ibn Abi Talib,” hosted by the Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI). The Urdu translation, titled “Warith Rasool (SAAW) Haider Karar Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA),” joins previous translations in Arabic and Persian.
Notably, this book, first published by Yale University Press in 2021, is the first biography of Hazrat Ali (RA) published by a Western academic publisher and is now used as a textbook in academic courses on Islam at Harvard and other Western universities.
Dr. Abbas highlighted that his book offers a nuanced narrative of Islam, showcasing the legacy of Hazrat Ali (RA) as a bridge builder for uniting the Ummah.
He criticized conventional histories for presenting biased accounts of life of Hazrat Ali (RA), which often deter readers from seeking the truth.
Chairperson IPI Dr Shireen Mazari, on this occasion, said that deviation from the path of Hazrat Ali’s (RA) path has contributed to the rise of extremism, which can be addressed by revitalizing authentic Islamic scholarship, fostering empathy and compassion, and addressing socio-economic grievances.
By embracing the teachings of Hazrat Ali (RA), individuals can cultivate spiritual growth, critical thinking, and constructive activism, ultimately creating a more just and peaceful world.
Dr Mazari said the life of Hazrat Ali right from the start is so inextricably linked that its study is vital to understand the history of Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Former Federal Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, while commenting on Dr Abbas’ book, said “With lively and accessible prose, the author has brought Hazrat Ali (RA) to life for a new generation.”
Poet Iftikhar Arif lamented that many historical accounts related to Islam, which are available for reading, were marred by biases, presenting a skewed and incomplete narrative. However, he noted that he found Dr Abbas too cautious while describing the historical events.
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