Power as it has been seen does not only dominate justice and truth but also reshapes and manufactures them to serve its own greed. The truth speaking tongue is silenced by power and reticence thrusted especially by political power prevails and people give in. In our age, the greatest industry practices the trade of “truth,” and modern man stands in line as a willing customer due to his helplessness. People, burdened by depression and anxiety, desperately seek solace, and manipulators exploit this vulnerability. False promises follow and people dwell in hopes of improved affairs of their lives that extends till eternity and the day never arrives when their promises are fulfilled. Power creates an ambience where everything , apparently, appears alright but beneath the appearance people suffer as their conditions go decrease from bad to worse. Power, contrary to the belief that it corrupts, does not alter us—it exposes our true nature. We always see people acting differently after they attain power. It makes them arrogant and they consider themselves super humans. Once power is obtained, it exposes whether we are inclined to uphold justice or to suppress it. Like a lamp in one’s hand, power can illuminate the right path or mislead into darkness; its worth depends entirely on the bearer. It can comfort or torment, safeguard or destroy. The pressing question, then, is: what gives power its meaning? How can it be sanctified, and how can it be used to establish justice and truth as the foundation of social, economic, and political order? In our society, we witness how power tramples rights. Leaders, once ordinary, rise above the people, cloaked in authority, speaking only the language of dominance. Instead of easing lives, they complicate them, commercialize solutions, and demand heavy sums for relief. A new social class appears on the scene whose life standard , thoughts , perspectives and behaviour changes altogether and they begin detaching themselves from the common people of their society in which they lived till this stage of their lives. Power then fractures social hierarchy, creating an isolated class that claims authority over every matter. A powerful politician becomes more powerful than a highly educated cleric. We have seen in our society that politics always dominates religion. Power especially the political one makes it weak and even decides , alters and manufactures certain rulings to serve its mean ends. The reason our politics is dirty is that it is not purified by religion and the reason our religion is weak is that it is not backed by politics. We must understand power is not an end—it is a divine trust meant to uphold God’s laws. Hazrat Ali reminds us that governance without justice and truth is worth less than a worn-out shoe. The pursuit of power for personal ambition is the most destructive desire, breeding disparity and unrest. If people cannot live like kings, then kings must live like people, so that society functions without conflict Hazrat Ali further says.Justice, Imam Ali insists, is the essence of governance. Leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege. It is entrusted by God to serve, not to exploit. History testifies that empires built on oppression collapse swiftly, while those founded on justice endure. True greatness lies not in vengeance but in forgiveness—restraining one’s hand when power allows retaliation. Leaders who forgive are elevated before God, for mercy in power reflects inherent goodness. Leadership must be understood as service, not domination. Its purpose is to protect the weak, resolve problems, and uphold justice. Authority that intimidates, enslaves, or oppresses is doomed to perish, for its foundation is hollow. Only justice and truth can sustain power and make it sacred.
Power essentially should not be meant to inflate our egos or distance us from the people we serve instead it should be a force that humbles us, reminding us of our responsibilities and the weight of trust placed upon our shoulders of the people who choose us. When an individual attains power, the natural temptation is to become arrogant, detached, and self-serving. But we must remember that the noblest use of authority lies in becoming meek, approachable, and deeply connected to society. Power should never be a tool of exploitation or manipulation; instead, it must transform us into more beneficial beings for our community, guiding us to act with compassion, justice, and sincerity.
True leadership demands humility. A person vested with authority should not see themselves as superior, but as a servant of the people. Power must inspire empathy, urging us to listen to the voices of the marginalized and to extend our hands to those in need. It should cultivate a spirit of social responsibility, making us more aware of the struggles of our society and more determined to alleviate them and improve their living standards. When power is exercised with meekness, it bridges the gap between rulers and the ruled, creating harmony instead of division. Power should elevate our moral character. It must help us rise above selfish ambition and narrow interests, pushing us to think beyond personal gain. The true measure of authority is not in how much one can dominate, but in how much one can sacrifice for the welfare of others. A leader who uses power to serve, rather than to exploit, becomes a beacon of hope and a source of strength for the community. Such leadership inspires trust, loyalty, and respect, qualities that cannot be commanded but must be earned through genuine service.

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