Ma`rifat

This paper is a reflection on the Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (as)'s words regarding the characteristics of the true believers and Shiites. Some of the other signs of the true believers are avoiding cruelty even against the enemies, avoiding sin despite friendship, and avoiding undue discrimination toward others. According to the Islamic teachings, the duty of the parents is observing justice and fairness, and avoiding undue discrimination and injustice toward the children; and, on a larger scale, the duty of government is serving all people in society equally. This is because the love of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) has been emphasized by the holy Quran and successive traditions; a love that has been considered in the Quran as a reward of the Messengerhood, and not exclusive to Shiites, but, both Sunni and even Hindu idolaters, are interested in Imam Hussain (as) for example. So, at a lower level, the believers' love towards the Ahl al-Bayt (as) must be applied to the friends and other believers, and even in the form of fairness toward the enemies. This paper explains justice and fairness in the characteristics of the true Shiites in detail.