Brief Introduction
The famous
Arab Christian, jurist, poet and philosopher Abdul Masih Antaaki who died sometime in the beginning of the 20th
Century while discussing this letter writes that it is a far superior and
better code than the one handed down by Moses and Hammurabi, it explains what a
human administration should be like, how it is to be carried out and it
justifies the claims of Muslims that Islam wants to introduce a Divine
administration of the people for the people and by the people and it wants a
ruler to rule not to please himself but to bring happiness to the ruled and no
religion before Islam tried to achieve this end, Ali (a.s) should be
congratulated for having introduced these principles during his rule and for
have written them down for the posterity.
The letter was used in the report
published by UNDP, The UNDP 2002 Arab Human Development Report, and used as
suggestions for Good governance in the Arab world. Meaning it was used as recommendations
given to the Arab States for improving the Governance System.
As a Pakistani, I guess after losing
East Pakistan, wide spread corruption & not to forget people raising tall
claims towards revolution; I guess all of them should openly refer to this
letter of Hazrat Ali (a.s).
Brief introduction to Great Maalik al- Ashtar
Maalik
al-Ashtar was a famous companion of Imam Ali (a.s). He was the head of the Bani
Nakha'i clan. He was a faithful disciple of Imam Ali (a.s). He was a brave
warrior and had acted as a Commander-in-Chief of the armies of Imam Ali (a.s).
His valor had earned him the title of "Fearless Tiger". Imam Ali (a.s)
had specially taught him the principles of administration and jurisprudence. Mu'awiya
had conspired against him and got him killed by his gang of hirelings. His
untimely death deeply grieved Imam Ali (a.s) who, expressing his grief said:
"He was to me what I was to the
Holy Prophet (saww)".
The following instructions in the form of a
letter were written to him by Imam Ali (a.s) who appointed him as the Governor
of Egypt in place of Muhammad bin Abi Bakr:
Selected passages from the text are reproduced below:
Religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you.
Equity is best: A policy which is based on equity will be largely appreciated. Remember that the displeasure of common men, the have-nots and the depressed persons, over-balances the approval of important persons, while the displeasure of a few big people will be excused… if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you.
The rich: are the people who will be the worst drag upon you during your moments of peace and happiness, and the least useful to you during your hours of need and adversity. They hate justice the most. They will keep demanding more and more out of State resources and will seldom be satisfied with what they receive and will never be obliged for the favor shown to them if their demands are justifiably refused.
On judiciary: You must select people of excellent character and high caliber with meritorious records . . . When they realize that they have committed a mistake in judgment, they should not insist on it by trying to justify it . . . They should not be corrupt, covetous or greedy . . . . These appointments must be made . . . without any kind of favoritism being shown or influence being accepted; otherwise tyranny, corruption and misrule will reign . . . Let the judiciary be above every kind of executive pressure or influence, above fear or favor, intrigue or corruption.
Poverty: If a country is prosperous and if its people are well-to-do, then it will happily and willingly bear any burden. The poverty of the people is the actual cause of the devastation and ruination of a country, and the main cause of the poverty of the people is the desire of its ruler and officers to amass wealth and possessions, whether by fair or foul means.
Corruption undermines national well-being: I want to advise you about your businessmen and industrialists. Treat them well . . . They are the sources of wealth to the country . . . One more thing . . . you must keep an eye over their activities as well. You know that they are usually stingy misers, intensely self-centered and selfish, suffering from the obsession of grasping and accumulating wealth. They often hoard their goods to get more profit out of them by creating scarcity and by indulging in black-marketing.
On communicating with people: You must take care not to cut yourself off from the public. Do not place a curtain of false prestige between you and those over whom you rule. Such pretension and shows of pomp and pride are in reality manifestations of an inferiority complex and of vanity. The result of such an attitude is that you remain ignorant of the conditions of your subjects and of the actual cases of the events occurring in the State.
Peace leads to prosperity: If your enemy invites you to a peace treaty . . . never refuse to accept such an offer, because peace will bring rest and comfort to your armies, will relieve you of anxieties and worries, and will bring prosperity and affluence to your people . . . Be very careful never to break your promise with your enemy; never forsake the protection or support that you have offered to him; never go back upon your word, and never violate the terms of the treaty.
Conclusion
Concluding I would state that the summary of Imam
Ali’s famous letter of advice while Caliph, to the Governor of Egypt, Malik
Ashtar, could be regarded as an essential guide in Islamic administration. One can
only pray that the new leaders of Egypt, Tunisia, South Sudan, Libya and
Yemen, Pakistan heed its example.
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