Chronology of Frataraka Evidenced by the Stronach’s Excavations at Tal-i Takht of Pasargad

Muslims’ economic activities in the early centuries of Islam have been one of the major parameters in the formation of Islamic civilization and development in the form of Islamic economic system, which has led to a leap in the production of wealth. In the development of this economic system, diverse personalities, including Imam Ali’s, have played a significant role. In this article, a descriptive-analytical attempt was made to examine the impacts of Imam Ali’s thoughts and economic performance on the development of Islamic civilization, as well as the civilization of Shiite governments. The research findings indicated that his economic thought and performance in economic justice, economic innovation, and explanation of economic jurisprudence, as well as construction and expansion of endowment work, had an effect on the development of Islamic civilization. Similarly, following the pattern of Imam Khomeini’s discourse of justice, the governments of the Idrisids, Tabarestan Alavids and Yemen Zaidis, engaged in the economic systematization, which resulted in the prevention of discrimination, tax cuts, poverty alleviation, and economic prosperity of production.

One of the significant features of Islam is the concern for economic issues in a novel and purposeful format with the aim of regulating economic relations, meeting requirements, gaining universal prosperity, and the hereafter happiness of human beings. In the form of this new economic system, along with efficient manpower, natural facilities, and new technology, Muslims have been able to pave the way for the emergence of Islamic civilization by boosting wealth creation. In the process of building the structure of Muslim civilization based on the historical sources and Imam Ali’s background and position in the history of Islam, Imam Ali’s thoughts have had a significant impact on the various religious, political, cultural, and economic fields of the Islamic society and infrastructure establishment for the formation of Islamic civilization. In his life and especially during his caliphate (35-40 AH.), Imam Ali has been able to provide a good model of systematization of Islamic economy. Likewise, through his connection to Bani Hashem Family, who have had a long history in business, Imam was aware of Muslims’ decisions and economic issues during the Prophet’s government. He has had perfect knowledge of economic jurisprudence and advice. Various successors to the first caliphs have been the influencial factors of his success in presenting this economic model. On the other side, in his personal life, he has been particularly interested in construction and development. Also, he has been diligent in the development of endowments. The combination of these factors has caused Imam Ali to present the most harmful views in the economic field. Considering his background and position, it is natural that his economic performance and thought in the process of Islamization, more specifically by Shiite governments, have been considered and modeled.

This research was conducted based on library data collection. In terms of review and explanation, it was a descriptive-analytical method. First, the main factors, based on which Imam Ali’s thought and economic performance were effective, were identified according to the main sources and then Imam’s achievements of economic actions and reforms were explained in the process of Muslim civilization and modeling of Shiite governments based on his tradition.Numerous researches Imam Ali’s actions, reforms, and economic thought have been published, most of which are based on his economic life, actions, and reforms, as well as his desired economic system during his caliphate. However, they have analyzed his economic behaviors and have not dealt with the influences of his thought and economic performance in later periods, especially in the formation and development of Islamic civilization. Thus, in the present article,  the different influential angles of his economic thoughts on the development of Islamic civilization were coherently studied.

 Based on the sources, the Shiite governments of Idrissids, Tabarestan Alavids, and Yemen Zaydis were found to be influenced by Imam’s essential discourse of justice. In fact, a comprehensive economic reform program was implemented to eliminate discrimination, establish equality, abolish class customs, adjust taxes, alleviate poverty, and observe affairs. They were conducted to the public benefit regardless of the agents’ behaviors. The results of these justice-oriented reforms were the spread of Islam, establishment of unity and solidarity, developments of commerce and industry and public welfare, and finally flourishing of Islamic culture and civilization in their territories.Imam’s actions and reforms were of high importance. Among them, economic innovation, explanation of economic jurisprudence, and construction and development of endowments were found to be highly mentioned.It made a significant contribution to increasing production, better managing resources and optimally using them, improving productivity, developing employment, and fighting corruption in the Islamic society.