Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

474 Financial and judiciary institutions at the time of 'Ali
as ijmci ' or consensus. They made use of analogy and ma~lahah (that
which serves the interests of the Muslims), which is the aim of
Sharia.
The best evidence for this plan is the words of Maymoon ibn
Mahr2n who said: "If two disputants came to Abu Bakr, he would
look in the Book of Allah (&). If he found there anything that would
decide the matter between them, he would judge in accordance with
it. If there was nothing in the Book, and he knew of any precedent
from the Messenger of Allah (g) concerning that matter, he would
judge in accordance with it. If he could not find anything in the
Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (g), he would call together the
prominent and best of the people and consult them. If they agreed on
something, he would judge in accordance with it. 'Umar did
likewise; if he could not find an answer in the Qur'an and Sunnah, he
would look to see it if there was a similar case that Abu Bakr had
ruled on, otherwise he would call the prominent Muslims; if they
agreed on something, he would judge in accordance with it."''
It was narrated that Ibn Mas'ood said: "Whoever is presented
with a case after today, let him rule in accordance with the Book of
Allah. If there comes to hi a case which is not mentioned in the
Book of Allah, and concerning which there is no verdict from His
Prophet (g,)), let him refer to the verdict of the righteous people. If
there comes to him a case which is not mentioned in the Book of
AUah, and concerning which there is no verdict from His Prophet
(B) or from righteous people, let him try to work it out on the basis
of his knowledge. Let him not say: 'I think, but I am not sure,'
because what is hal2l is clear and what is harh is clear, and in
between there are ambiguous matters, so leave that which makes you
doubt for that which does not make you do~bt."'~
In our discussion on the ultimate reference points in the state
of Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ibn Abi Tab (&), we have discussed