ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Ahlul-Bayt; Ethical Role-Models Obligations of the Rulers All over history, rulers, according to their qualifications, have played influential roles in the development and retardation of nations. The ideal, sincere ruler is he who governs his subjects on bases of leniency, justice, and equality.

The absolute ruler, on the other hand, is he who enslaves, humiliates, and exploits the subjects for his own interests: The Prophet (S) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will cry out: where are the unjust rulers and their supporters, including those who provided them an inkpot, those who untied one of their bags, and those who sharpened a pencil for them.

Join all these individuals to those rulers[^1].” The unjust rulers will sooner or later suffer punishments that befit their acts of oppression. History is full of stories showing the bad results of the absolute rulers. Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yousuf ath-Thaqafi is the most hideous example of the unjust rulers. He ruled for twenty years during which he killed 120,000 individuals besides those whom were killed during his campaigns. In his cells, there were fifty thousand men and thirty thousand women etc.

Finally, this dictator was affected by canker and severe frost until he perished. Rights of Subjects against Rulers (A) Justice The absolute authority of the unjust rulers, in most cases, is the result of people’s rebellion against and disobedience to the Lord: The Prophet (S) said: “Allah says: I am Allah. There is no god but I. I have created the kings whose hearts are in My hand.

I will make the hearts of the kings full of mercy towards the people who obey Me, but I will make them full of rancor towards the people who disobey Me. Do not engage yourselves in reviling at the kings. You must repent to Me so that I will make their hearts full of compassion towards you.” (B) Righteousness Because most people try to imitate them, it is obligatory upon rulers to be characterized by righteousness and well behavior so as to act as good examples for their subjects.

Likewise, the rulers’ deviation and misconduct push most people towards deviation. (C) Lenience Rulers are required to govern people with means of lenience and avoid persecution because despotism is the most disreputable manner of the rulers and the most injurious act towards the subjects.