Strategic Dimensions and Components of Military Command Based on the Teachings of Imam Ali in Nahj al-Balaghah

Military command is the most important element of any armed forces that makes them efficient and move them forward. Military command is a specialized profession and a combination of science, art and experience. Leadership is the main essence of military command that puts the mind, heart and body of the subordinates under the guardianship and guidance of Military command; It is also a kind of comprehensive administration and trust of God, the people and the Islamic Government to serve, strive, guide and train the forces under its command. It is for establishing justice and repelling falsehood and oppression by insight and readiness. In the Islamic Government, Imam Ali's behavior is a model of command, manifestation of sincerity, honesty, sacrifice, purity, tireless work and striving to excellence in theory and practice in the armed forces; therefore, considering to the behavior of Imam Ali is necessary for the military command of the armed forces. This study aims to provide a model of strategic military command, and answer to this question: "Can the teachings of Imam Ali lead to the model of military command?" In this strategic study data collection was based on the grounded theory method, which was measured by text content analysis. Findings reveal that the military command of the Imam Ali at the strategic level, has 14 dimensions: leadership, guidance, communication, motivation, authority, management, selection, planning, coordination, evaluation, control, monitoring, follow-up, consolidation, and strengthening. From the continuity of 320 concepts that have been extracted from Nahj al-Balaghah based on case-study method, 60 components have been formed and the combination of components has also acquired these dimensions.