An analysis of letter no 53 of
Hazrat Ali(R.A)
A little attention has been paid to make a comparison of Islamic administrative
system to modern administrative system. Islam is not only a religion of certain
set of beliefs but also a complete code of life. Without taking collective scope
of Islam into account, it can’t be differentiated from other religions on sound
grounds. All the religions make a promise for salvation subject to unflinching
faith. But what make Islam different from others are its principles which codify
complete aspects of life ranging from spiritual world to material life.
Currently, I am going to analyze a letter[1]of Hazrat Ali (R.A) which he
dispatched to Malik Ashtar while making him governor of Egypt. The purpose is
only to discuss this letter in the light of modern (western) system without
keeping in view of its spiritual value. Hazrat Ali has laid down all the
principles of administration which promise benefit of mankind irrespective of
religion or race. The reader, in later stage, will be quite amazed to learn that
the modern system of administration of today’s globalized world seems as if it
has been enriched with those principles which were codified almost 1400 years
ago in the Arabian world. The comparative disadvantage of the Arabs with respect
to the Greeks and the Romans further increases amazement of the reader when he
unfolds the secrets of this letter. It is far better than the writings of
Aristotle and Socrates who were limited in their findings in political science.
Even the political thinkers of Enlightenment era like Michevelli and Thomas
Hobbs seem to be immature and one sided in their approach when compared with
this indispensable political writing of Hazrat Ali.
In modern world the best codification of human rights is the UN Declaration on
Human Rights. In this declaration everyone has the right of life, right to be
secured by state, right to get education, right to get health facility and so
on. Unfortunately this declaration has no binding force for states. It is only
of recommendatory nature in international law. Such rights were given in Islam
long before than this declaration. Apart from Hazrat Muhammad’s (PBUH) sermon at
HajjaTulWida, this letter also lays down the same principles. Ali advices to the
Governor,“Develop in your heart the feeling of love for your people and let it
be the source of kindliness and blessing to them. Do not behave with them like a
barbarian, and do not appropriate to yourself that which belongs to them….. Do
not say: “I am your overlord and dictator, and that you should, therefore, bow
to my commands”, as that will corrupt your heart, weaken your faith in religion
and create disorder in the state… Nothing deprives man of divine blessings or
excites divine wrath against him more easily than cruelty”. This is the same
kindness and affection which modern world expects from its leaders. In 1919,
President Wilson 14 points paved way for democracy, liberalism and a government
of public support. The purpose of liberal ideas was to ensure a kind government
that could fulfill the desires of people by giving them importance in their
decisions. In Russian Revolution, the provisional government was put down by
people due to its inability to come up to public expectations. These are the
stories of early 20th century. Before French Revolution, there was no concept of
kindness towards public in real sense. The whole Europe was ruled by ruthless
dictators following the guidelines of Michevelli and Thomas Hobbs etc. But
contrary to harsh concepts of the middle ages in Europe, Islam has compelled
ruler to abide by principle of kindness towards people. Such concept can also be
found in the Greeks and the Romans but Islam has widened its scope with better
clarification. Unfortunately, we find kind rulers in the non-Islamic countries
instead of those countries who claim to be ‘Islamic’. Saddam, Husni Mubarik,
BasharulAsad, Qazzafi and the Arabian Rulers can never be compared with Nelson
Mandaila, Abraham Linchon and Winston Churchill. The latter were very kind to
their subjects. Hazrat Ali advices Malik Ashtar, “Meet the oppressed and the
lowly periodically in an open conference and conscious of the divine presence
there, have a heart-to-heart talk with them, and let none from your armed guard
or civil officers or members of the Police or the Intelligence Department be by
your side, so that the representatives of the poor might state their grievances
fearlessly and without reserve.” This concept of ruler-to-public contact depicts
the eloquence of Imam Ali. The main purpose of this free contact is to make
ruler aware of public opinion. It is the essence of democratic system to make
decisions with public opinion. Although modern democratic system is different
from that of an Islamic system of that time yet it has overlapping ideas.
Islamic ruler is neither a dictator nor an autocrat. Islamic ruler is a man of
character and ability. Islam does not want to assume men of high posts merely on
religious basis. Islam demands professionalism and abilities relevant to that
particular post.
Concepts of independent judiciary and separation of powers are the modern
conceptions in administrative art. It is necessary to realize independent
judiciary for the establishment of a just society. Judiciary should be free from
any pressure from other departments. Judges should not be financially too weak
to be (coveted) or pressurized easily. International court of justice appoints
judges from different national groups to ensure their neutrality. Although
complete neutrality has not been ensured in domestic and international judiciary
yet to some extent modern system claims independence of judicial organs. Imam
Ali stresses on independent judiciary in these words: “Select as your Chief
Justice from the people, one who is by far the best among them. one who will not
decide before knowing full facts and who will be strictly impartial in his
decision, one whom flattery cannot mislead or one who does not exult over his
position. But it is not easy to find such men. Pay him handsomely enough, to let
him live in comfort and in keeping with his position, enough to keep him above
temptations. Give him a position in your court so high none can even dream of
coveting it and so high that neither back-biting nor intrigue can touch him”
Imam Ali has given the concept of competitive exam for the selection of
officers. He says, “Give careful consideration to the selection of other
officers. Confirm them in their appointments after approved apprenticeship and
probation. Never select men for responsible posts either out of any regard for
personal connections or under any influence, for that might lead to injustice
and corruption. Of these, select for higher posts, men of experience, men firm
in faith and belonging to good families.”It means that Islam wants right person
for the right job. Islam does not want to select an officer merely on moral
grounds. A theologian can’t be a good economist and vice versa. So criterion of
appointment demands qualification for that particular job. In today’s modern
world, this rule is being practiced globally. The concept of accountability is
the focal idea of Islam. Islam does not want a corrupt officer go unchecked. It
is a well-established rule of modern world. In our country, NAB and FIA are
doing the same job. In all modern states accountability departments are working
to bear down corrupt officers. Hazrat Ali stresses upon intelligence system to
check corrupt officers. They should be punished if intelligence system reports
their corruption.
Modern administrative system gives importance to common man. In the western
countries, workers are respected and their role is acknowledged. The ILO
(International labor organization) has laid down principles for the rights of
laborers. Socialists have given special attention towards rights of workers.
Workers are common men of society. They didn’t have any status in society until
socialism movements started. Now, modern society knows well about the importance
of common man theoretically in the third world and practically in the West. It
is the duty of state to look after man of street. In the letter under
discussion, Hazrat Ali writes, “It is the common man who is the strength of the
State and Religion. So live in close contact with the masses and be mindful of
their welfare”. The role of common man can’t be ignored. In modern world, the
lower strata of society comprises of those people who are either laborer or
non-executive. State is not meant to protect only the rich and the powerful. It
is prime duty of a state to take such initiatives as may uplift living standard
of general public.
He has made classification of state machinery into army, bureaucrats, judiciary
and revenue collectors. All the organs of state establishment have distinct
functions to perform with proper coordination. He writes, “We have the Army
formed of the soldiers of God. We have our civil officers and their
establishments, our judiciary, our revenue collectors and our public relations
officers”. This classification is very close to modern trends in political
science. Besides office holders, he has also pointed out private business class
and traders. He knows their importance for capital generation. He advices to
state administration, “Treat businessmen and artisans well, and advise others to
do likewise. Some of them live in towns, while some move from place to place
with their wares and tools earning their living by manual labour. Trade and
industry are the real sources of profit to the state and the suppliers of
consumer goods”. In modern world, we are all well aware of the importance of
free trade system for price control in international market. To shatter monopoly
of handful investors, free trade can play a good role to maintain minimum
possible price of goods. Wilson, the champion of liberalism, wished for free
trade system in his fourteen points. He was hopeful that free trade system could
possibly increase interdependence leading to a peaceful globalized society. And
we all know that trade is a matter of war and peace. Hazrat Ali has suggested a
system of trade with minimum state interference. He has given the concept that
traders should be facilitated by state. Traders are persons who help balance
payment system for a state in international market. He not only wants to promote
trade but also prohibits from hoarding. In this sense, he seems to be against
capitalism in which some investors exploit rest of the world. He says, “Prevent
them from hoarding, for the prophet of God had prohibited it. See to it, that
trade is carried on with the utmost ease, that the scales are evenly held and
that prices are so fixed that neither the seller nor the buyer is put to a loss.
If in spite of your warning, anyone should go against your commands and commit
the crime of hoarding, then deal him appropriately with a severe punishment”.
Balance in supply to demand ratio can best settle the price of goods for both
consumer and seller. This is the concept of liberalism movement. All of us know
that modern society does not promote accumulation of resources. In theory of
modern economy, the ideal case is equitable distribution of wealth or resources.
Although big powers hold major chunk of international resources yet rational
economist living in those countries believe in judicious distribution of
resources throughout the world. By curbing hoarding, inflation rate can be
controlled and currency will be strengthened. Purchasing power of currency will
be relatively stable if hoarding is controlled. China believes in the principle
of cooperation in trade and partnership in business to win mutual benefit. The
European states formed the EU for free market and business. They have lifted
trade barriers among themselves. In this way, they are making progress. Common
currency and free trade system has benefitted the weak states like Spain and
Greece. The US has also made NAFTA to promote free trade among the North
American states including Canada, the US and Maxico. Free market is a very good
concept to benefit both consumer and producer. In this way, the best quality of
product can be purchased within affordable price. The very same concept of
benefit for all was introduced by Islamic system such a long time ago.
Probably, the most important part of this letter is stress on fulfillment of
promises made in treaties with other states or groups. Islam pays special
attention to promises whether of individual level or state level. Hazrat Ali
says, “if under the peace treaty you have accepted any obligations, discharge
those obligations scrupulously. It is a trust and must be faithfully upheld and
whenever you have promised anything, keep it with all the strength that you
command, for whatever differences of opinion might exist on other matters, there
is nothing so noble as the fulfillment of a promise.” Treaties are the main
source of international law according to Vienna convention on laws of Treatise
1969. This convention is the most lucid version of universally recognized
agreement among modern states on the rules of treaties. According to the US
constitution, treaties are the supreme law of land. Germany also follows the
pursuit. It means that world has realized the importance of fulfillment of
treaties. It is depicted from the US constitution that the laws derived from
treaties overrides domestic legal system. In interwar period, Hitler backed out
from many treaties made with other states. He is still cursed due to his selfish
behavior in international relations. The charter of the UN is also a
multilateral treaty ratified by a large number of states. All the member states
are obliged to comply with the UN charter. If any state violates her pledged
responsibility defined in the charter, she is supposed to be a defaulter in
international society. In the Middle Ages or before, monarchs would break their
commitments with neighboring states ignoring its negative impact on society.
They would conclude secret agreements which had no reliability whether they
would comply or otherwise. Even in the first half of the 20th century, treaties
were put aside by states due to their state-centric approaches. It is easy to
understand that after a long history of evolution, the modern world has reached
at a logical point that treaties should be abode by in all weathers.
To sum up, Islam is neither catholic nor protestant in its outlook. Islam adopts
moderation. Neither does it divide religious beliefs into water tight
compartments nor does it favor free will. It deals with socio-political blend of
life in such a manner as it becomes difficult to divide it into ‘you-thy
dichotomy’. The evolution of modern administrative system is spanned over
centuries of human history. Man has reached at his present level of rationality
after continuous evaluation of his ideas followed by correction. The modern
administrative concepts are closely linked to the Islamic ideas. It does not
matter whether a country claims to be ‘Islamic’ or not. The most important thing
is that international community is rectifying its loopholes day by day. It is
moving forward. The more it moves ahead, the more it becomes ‘Islamic’. It can
be wisely said that the modern system seems as if it is a ray coming from an
Islamic source. It is no matter whether states are constitutionally Islamic or
not. But they are ‘Islamic’ in their principles. Where there is justice,
equality, fraternity, law and order there is ‘Islamic’ system. Where there is
nepotism, uneven distribution of resources, anarchy, cruelty and compulsive
order the system is ‘non-Islamic’.