Inappropriate praise and eulogy

One of the companions spoke immensely praising and adulating Imam Ali (peace be upon Him) but Imam (peace be upon Him) did not accept his words and reminded him and others that his governmental program does not include those programs which have put Islam to death; and that he is upset due to these praises and gratifications, and he doesn’t like to hear these eulogies from anyone; because Almighty Allah is worthier than anyone else for these praises, gratitude and glorifications.

          Indeed, such face to face admirations and praising, in the presence of the statesmen and the rulers, brings back the eras of Caesars and Cyrus, which Islam has left behind.

          Among them, his holiness (peace be upon Him) said: do not address me in the manner which the tyrants and oppressors are addressed; and do not hesitate before me like you hesitate in front of the rulers (express your wishes with simple words and expressions), and do not use flattery; do not assume that I will become upset upon hearing the truth. Until he said:

          " Verily, I and all of you are the servants and slaves of a Lord except whom there isn’t any Lord”[1]

          In our opinion, all the relationships between the government and the society are based on the understanding of this sentence, that a ruler rightly comprehends that in servitude, he is by no means superior to his people, and all are the servants and slaves of the Lord of the world. This is where all the unwanted expectations vanish; all the arrogances, selfishness, tyranny and pride comes to an end; all the formalities are removed and the presence of the ruler, become the role model of humility, modesty and etiquettes for his people. If the people also understand this sublime meaning, their existence will be filled with self – respect and dignity, and they will refrain from flattery and unnecessary praising, and from giving titles and medals; consequently, the most sublime relationship between the society and the government will be maintained.