Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi TJZib 487
2.5.3. Not shouting at the disputants
'Ali ibn Abi T2ib (&) appointed Abu al-Aswad ad-Du'ali as
a judge. Later, 'Ali (&) dismissed him, so he asked: "Why did you
dismiss me when I have never done anything wrong?" He said: "I
saw that you raise your voice against two disputants."5z
2.5.4. Keeping away from things
that may influence the judge's verdict
The judge should strive to keep his own inclinations in check,
whether these are based on relationships with others, financial
factors, hatred or anything else. Ja'dah ibn Hubayrah came to 'Ali ihn
Abi T2ib (&) and said: "0 Amir al-Mu'mineen, two men come to
you, and you are dearer to one of them than his own self, hut the other
would slaughter you if he could - and you pass judgement in favour
of the latter?" 'Ali (&) poked him and said: "If it were a personal
matter, I would have done (what you think), hut my judgement is for
the sake of Allah (&)."53
2.5.5. Consultation
The judge must consult people of knowledge, lest he gave a
wrong verdict. 'Ali (&) was one of the members of the consultative
committee whom the caliphs were keen to consult when faced with
difficult issues. Al-Khass2f said in Adab al-Qedi that if the two
disputants came to him, 'Uthmk ibn 'Af& would tell one of them
to call 'Ali (&), and he would tell the other to call Tabah and az-
Zubayr or some of the Companions of the Messenger of AUah (@J.
When they came to him, he would say to them: "Speak." After they
had spoken, he would turn to the Companions and ask: "What do you
think?" If they said something that he agreed with, he would give the
verdict on that basis and would not discuss the matter further.54