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government cars, offices, or employees nepotism or using one’s political
for personal gain or political campaigns. position for personal advantage, is a
Such actions, including bribery and significant breach of trust. For
financial misconduct, are clear example, recommending relatives for
violations of trust, which undermine the government jobs or using one's
integrity of parliamentarians and the position to resolve personal matters,
political system. like pressuring the police to release a
Beyond the protection of public relative, is an abuse of power and
resources, trustworthiness is vital undermines the parliamentarian's
because it directly impacts public ethical standing.
confidence in the government. Islamic teachings underscore the
Parliamentarians, elected by the importance of maintaining ethical
people, are tasked with ensuring the conduct in all areas, as illustrated by
proper functioning of the government, Imam Ali’s letters to his governors,
and their ethical behavior is essential in warning them against betraying public
maintaining public trust. Any financial trust (Sharīf al-Raḍī, letter No. 53).
misconduct by representatives can Even seemingly benign actions, such as
severely damage the relationship using an MP's office for a neighbor’s
between citizens and their government, complaint, can be problematic if they
leading to a loss of trust in fall outside the scope of parliamentary
parliamentary institutions (Moḥītī duties. Although these actions may not
Ardakan, 2024, p.55). have immediate negative consequences,
In Islamic teachings, trustworthiness is they raise ethical concerns and must be
one of the highest moral principles, carefully considered.
emphasized by figures such as Amir al- While trustworthiness is a
Mu'minin and Imam Sadiq. The cornerstone of ethical governance, its
Prophet’s sayings and the teachings of application in modern political systems
early Islamic leaders stress that those in is often complicated by competing
positions of authority, including interests. For instance, MPs may face
parliamentarians, are responsible for pressure from lobbyists or party leaders,
maintaining trust in all matters involving which can conflict with their duty to act
public property, dignity, and the people’s in the public's best interest. A deeper
welfare (Ṣadūq, 2006, p. 52). examination of these challenges,
For MPs, trustworthiness extends supported by case studies from different
beyond managing state property. It countries, would provide a more
also involves the ethical use of their nuanced understanding of how
influence. Abuse of power, such as
