ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Norms For Selection of the Functionaries The progress of a society very much depends on the organization of the State on proper lines, be it a monarchy or a democracy for that matter. Whether it is Islamic or otherwise. When there is good law and order in a state and respect for the human rights, it is a well-managed welfare state.

All this depends on the wisdom and sagacity of the head of the state and the capability and efficiency of the functionaries of the state. These functionaries provide efficient administration and make the people law-abiding citizens of the state. All these functionaries are appointed to the various provinces of the state at the discretion of the head of the state.

If it is an Islamic state, the functionaries will be responsible for efficient collection of the zakat and jizyah in addition to the other duties like law and order, dispensation of justice to the people etc. This is a fact that the people take inspiration from their administrators. They adopt the way their administrator follows. If the administrator in an Islamic state is pious and follows all the tenets properly, the people too try to emulate him.

If the administrator is selfish, corrupt and ill mannered, the people in that area will also behave in that manner. Therefore, it is imperative that maximum care is exercised to select administrators after proper screening of their dossiers. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) used to judge his functionaries on the basis of their piety, honesty and capability to perform the function assigned to them. He gave key positions only to persons with immaculate honesty, nobility and straightforwardness.

Ibn `Abd al-Barr writes: “`Ali (a.s) appointed only those persons as the governors of provinces who were trustworthy and honest.”[1] He never considered the family background, the tribe to which the person belonged and the recommendations of important persons for appointment as functionaries of the state. He used to instruct these functionaries not to retain [1] Al-Istī`āb, Vol 3, Page 47 any person on the basis of recommendations.

Therefore, he said on one occasion: “Do not accept any recommendation for retaining personnel; only consider that they are trustworthy and honest.”[1] Among the functionaries of the `Ali (a.s) there were some Hashemites as well. Among them were the sons of `Abbas; `Abdullah, `Ubaydullah and Qathm.