Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

604 Governors at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Trilib
but he appointed Ziyid in charge of the land tax and the public
treasury. He did not stop there, though; he also ordered Ibn 'Abbis to
listen to and obey ~ i~id?~' This was perfect administrative control.
Ziyid was to obey Ibn 'Abbis governor of Basra, and Ibn 'Abbis
was to obey Ziyid within the framework of his work in the public
treasury and handling the land tax. As for judiciary matters, 'Ali
(4) appointed Abu al-Aswad ad-Du'ali in charge of them."'
In the covenant that Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) drew up for
Milk ibn al-Ashtar, we may note the powers granted to the
governors. We will try to make the picture clearer by mentioning the
following details:
2.3.1. Appointment of govemment ministers
Amir al-Mu'mineen said in the covenant he drew up for M%i
ibn al-Ashtar: "The worst type of government minister is the one who
was a minister for an evil person before him. The one who joined
them in their sin should not be part of your inner circle, for they were
the helpers of sinners and the brothers of wrongdoers. You will find
far better than them to take their places, among those who are as
smart and as competent as they are, who do not have burdens of sin
like theirs, who did not help the wrongdoer in his wrongdoing or the
sinner in his sin. These people will be less of a burden to you and a
better help to you; they will be more compassionate and loving
towards you."
In this text that Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) wrote in the
form of advice, we may observe the following points:
(a)
(b)
Appointment of government ministers is part of the governor's
role.
The conditions according to which the governor must select
his ministers.