The most powerful yet he was a ruler who was wronged the most in history
Three apparently contradictory features coexist in the ruler and Commander of the faithful (a.s.): Imam Ali (a.s.) is a strong, powerful, and a sovereign man and ruler , at the same time, he was wronged; moreover, and at the same time, he is was ultimately victorious during various events. If we want to acquire an accurate understanding of the power and strength of the Commander of the Faithful, we should look to the vast dominions of his government. The large territory which was under the management of the Commander of the Faithful extended as far as present-day Afghanistan to the Mediterranean Sea, and to Egypt. This vast territory was governed by the Commander of the Faithful, and he did so with complete power and solidity. His iron will, his courage, his military might as an art form, his eloquent tongue, and his appealing logic – the Commander of the Faithful’s words and addresses, full of enthusiasm and full of wisdom, have provided instructive lessons for all humans to live by to this day – are signs of his strength. His robust physique, intellect, determination, management, and style of rhetoric were all indications of a strong and powerful individual. At the same time, this strong man was wronged. Signs of oppression against him could be witnessed in the behavior of his enemies and the envious. They could be witnessed in the unfair accusations that were leveled against him by the agents of his enemies, during his lifetime, and in the materialistic behavior of some of his companions – a number of his companions and comrades broke away from him because they pursued their materialistic desires. –These are hints of oppression against that great personality. The burdens that were exerted on him from various sides were so vast that this patient, ocean-like heart of a man was so tolerant that he is said to have complained into a well! He would open up into a well! These instances are all indications of the persecution faced by the Commander of the Faithful. After his demise and martyrdom, his enemies – who had seized the government – would insult him for many years at their podiums. They would insult him throughout that vast country; they would speak harshly of the Commander of the Faithful who was the embodiment of piety, justice, and fair-mindedness. Coincidently, when we take a general look at those events, we see in that prolonged battle, the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) was the final victor. Today, notice where the Commander of the Faithful’s name and personality stands in this vast human panorama and history. He stands at the peak, and there is no trace of his enemies. His Nahjul Balaghah is an instructive lesson for heightened individuals. His tradition is the most important and prominent tradition after that of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH). His form of justice and his great personality were outstanding features in this day and age. His cause defeated that of his enemies: he was the final victor.
http://shiastudies.com/en/10335/two-paradoxical-features-imam-ali/