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deserving of this work is the one most timeless guide, emphasizing the moral
capable of conducting affairs and well- strength required to uphold justice and
versed in God's commandments” protect societal harmony.
(Sharīf al-Raḍī, Sermon 172).
This statement underscores the 4.2.1. Integrity, Competence, and Loyalty
necessity of appointing individuals with Imam Ali stressed the importance of
an agent’s loyalty and commitment to
both practical experience and a deep the ruler's vision. Agents must align
understanding of ethical principles. In with the leader’s goals and decisions
his letter to Malik al-Ashtar, Imam Ali while also maintaining their ethical
advises selecting agents who possess integrity. He advised Malik al-Ashtar
sound judgment and the ability to to select honest and reliable agents,
navigate complex challenges, ensuring warning that agents who seek personal
that justice prevails. gain or engage in corruption would
undermine the state’s stability (Sharīf
Moral integrity is another critical al-Raḍī, Letter 53).
quality that protects agents from Agents must also possess foresight
corruption and bias. Imam Ali insists and pragmatic thinking. Imam Ali
that agents must act with honesty and emphasized the need for patience and
fairness, upholding their duties without endurance, arguing that these traits are
succumbing to personal ambition or essential for effective leadership. In
external pressures. These principles Sermon 154, he said, “A wise person
safeguard the trust placed in agents and sees the end of their work and
ensure that their actions align with the understands the challenges of what
broader goals of justice and governance. they wish to accomplish” (Sharīf al-
Loyalty, as described by Imam Ali, Raḍī, Sermon 154).
reflects the agent’s dedication to their
responsibilities and to the ethical 4.2.2. Decision-Making and
principles that govern their role. This Responsibility
loyalty ensures that agents remain One critical ethical requirement for
steadfast in their commitment to serve the agents is their willingness to take
interests of the people, particularly the responsibility for their decisions. Imam
vulnerable while maintaining harmony Ali stressed the importance of
within society. decisiveness in leadership, advising
agents to act with confidence and avoid
By adhering to these ethical hesitation. In Saying 274, He states, “Do
standards, agents fulfill their roles with not turn your knowledge into ignorance
integrity and competence, contributing and uncertainty when you know how to
to a just and equitable governance act and are confident that you will act”
system. Imam Ali’s teachings serve as a (Sharīf al-Raḍī, Aphorism 274).
