The man went to her relatives and explained the situation...

The man went to her relatives and explained the situation, and due to their pressure and insistence, the woman reluctantly returned the money. A year later, the other man came and said: “Give me back the hundred dinars that we left with you”. The woman replied: “Some time ago, your companion came and claimed that you had died, so I was forced to return the money to him”. The man insisted on getting the money, and the matter reached the judge.

The judge said to the woman: “You are responsible for the trust and must repay the money”. The woman said: “Do not judge between us; send us to Imam Ali (AS) so that he may decide”. The judge agreed. When they appeared before Amir al-Muminin (AS), the Imam (AS) realized that the two men had conspired and devised a trick.

He said to the man: “When you deposited the money, did you not agree that you both must come together to collect it, and if one came alone, the money would not be returned?” The man replied: “Yes”. Then the Imam, seeing through their deception, said: “Your money is here with us. If you wish to receive it, go and bring your friend with you, and I will give you both your money”. The deceitful man left in shame.

[8] Trusteeship and Leadership From the Islamic perspective, a position of leadership or management is a trust that is entrusted to the manager, who must carefully safeguard this position and perform his duties as a trustee. The Qur’an states: “Indeed, God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due” .

[9] Although the term trust ( amanah ) in this verse has a general meaning that includes all kinds of trusts, Imam al-Sadiq (AS) interpreted it as referring toImamate, the comprehensive leadership of the Muslim community. He said: “God commanded the preceding Imam to hand over the Imamate, which is the trust and governance of the community, to the Imam after him” .

[10] Leadership and management, being manifestations of divine authority and guidance, are among the most special forms of trusteeship. Leaders and governors must first believe deeply that their position is a trust from God and the people. In Nahj al-Balagha, the rights of the people and their honorable position in relation to the ruler are emphasized, and the ruler’s true role as the trustee and guardian of the people’s rights is clearly defined.

The concept of trusteeship in Imam Ali’s (AS) view differs from materialistic understandings.