IN THE NAME OF GOD

 A Correct Relationship among the people and the suppliers of the government from viewpoint of Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him) 

Amiralmomenan (peace be upon him) announced the goal of his government, as sovereignty of truth and fighting with evil, under any title and in any dress. He announced that he accepted to govern in order to fulfill rights of the Moslems and told to Ibn Abbas:

“For me ruling the society is less valuable than this patchy shoe and than the sneeze of a female goat, except if I am able to revive a right which has been lost and return the right of an oppressed person.”

Therefore, the best relationship which is established between the governor and the citizen is one which would not waste any right and would restore the rights of the oppressed.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) considers the truth in the people’s expressions and dialogues, the greatest thing; while in behavior and deed, and when justice shall be observed, being fair is the most difficult thing. All the people are indebted to each other and do not pay attention to it, while to fulfill their rights, they complain. Such a relationship exists among the higher classes of society with the lower classes which is more serious. Among the ruling class in policy and system and the oppressed class, in other words, the class of the ordinary people, the largest right is consideration of well being of the people by the governors. For example, right of the citizen to the ruler is that he shall observe disciplines and shall try to improve the status of citizens and the right of governor on the citizen is that he shall obey the command of the ruler, if it is for his benefit.

It is only God to whom all the creatures are indebted, but he is indebted to no one. Almighty God is able to perform every work, but for his creatures, He has considered worship and obedience so that they would fulfill His right and will consider for them awards.  God prescribes in holy Quran:

“So, those who join us and make deserved works, God shall pay to them all their awards and even more than what they wish, out of his gratification, and those who does not obey God, shall be in pain and they shall have no one to assist them, but God and shall have no friend except God.”  Sura: Nesa, Verse: 173

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) prescribes about aspects of reciprocal rights of the ruler and the citizens:

“Observation of reciprocal rights of the ruler and the citizen shall create discipline and peace in the society and shall bring passion and respect to the people. The citizen shall have proper status just when the ruler is fair and the ruler shall feel well, merely when the citizens obey him and if their rights are fulfilled, religion shall be rigid and tradition of prophet of God shall be executed and truth, justice, and honesty shall govern and the status shall be improved, government shall be resistible and the enemies shall not be greedy toward Islamic governance.

But, if one of these two, does not observe the rights of the other one, no unity shall occur between them and shall not be sympathetic. In such a condition there will increase inhumanity and dirt in religion and the traditions shall be left. Decrees of religion would not be executed and self-will shall be observed and pains of men shall increase and no shall be worried for observation of truth and execution of evil. Since, sin is much, no one will act for goodness. 

So, the people shall be prosperous if they help each other, and assisting each other and advising each other are compulsory among the people upon order of God.

God has ordered the people to help each other, even if one who helps is a mean person.

Imam (peace be upon him) considers the most servile status of rulers, their being interested in glory and egotism, so the ruler shall treat the citizens humbly, just as Imam (peace be upon him) prescribed Mohammad Ibn Aboubakr:

“Oh! Mohammad! Treat the peasants in a way that all the people will benefit from your act, treat them with pleasure and kindness, observe equality between them, even in looking at them. If you behave so, the cruel people shall not abuse the inferior and the inferior shall not be disappointed of your justice and your honesty.” ¹

The best decrees of Imam Ali (peace be upon him)  to the rulers- considering the rights of the peasants- have been mentioned in chapter: Orders of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to the Rulers. Of course rights of the governors to be fulfilled by the peasants is to obey them and to assist them and to support them and the Islamic government and to advise them by speaking and in deeds, so that religion and country are improved and to make endeavors in prosperity of the country and to assist the governors in this respect. ²

End Notes:

1. Nahjolbalagheh/Letter: 27

2. Nahjolbalagheh/Verse: 216