ISLAMABAD: Renowned author and academic Dr Hassan Abbas has emphasised the need to re-imagine Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) to appreciate the relevance of his teachings in today’s world and to combat sectarianism and divisive forces operating in Ummah.

Dr Abbas, a professor of International Relations at National Defence 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), says a press release here on Tuesday.

The Urdu translation, titled ‘Warith Rasool (SAAW) Haider Karar Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS),’ joins previous translations in Arabic and Persian.

Dr Abbas highlighted that his book offered a nuanced narrative of Islam, showcasing Ali’s legacy as a bridge builder for uniting the Ummah. He stressed the importance of Imam Ali’s letter to Malik Al Ashtar, a seminal framework for good governance, which he believed deserved wider readership and application.

IPA Chairperson Dr Shireen Mazari, on this occasion, said deviation from Imam Ali’s (AS) path had contributed to the rise of extremism, which could be addressed by revitalising authentic Islamic scholarship, fostering empathy and compassion, and addressing socio-economic grievances.

Former federal minister Khurram Dastgir Khan, while commenting on the book, said “with lively and accessible prose, the author has brought Ali to life for a new generation. His work is a fine introduction to Ali’s life as well as significance in Islamic history.”

Poet Iftikhar Arif lamented that many historical accounts related to Islam, which were available for reading, were marred by biases to the extent of complete omission of literature from the opposing sectarian perspective, thereby presenting a skewed and incomplete narrative.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2024