Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Trilib 605
(c)
(d)
What the relationship between the governor and the minister
should be like.
The role of the minister,
As for the number of government ministers, it was not
mentioned by Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali(4).
He referred to them in
the plural, and it seems that their number was connected to how much
help the governor needed, because the role of the minister is to help
the governor in his job. Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) listed the
following conditions for government ministers:
- The appointee should not previously have been a minister
for evil people.
- The governor should select one from among the total
number of ministers to be his deputy and helper in running
things. He should select him based on what 'Ali (&)
said:280 "Then let the one who is more favoured by you be
the one who can utter the word of bitter trnth to you, and
the least helpful to you with regard to things that Allah
disapproves of for His friends, regardless of whether that
pleases you or not."281
- As for their roles, they come under the heading of
assistance, but the specific details are for the governor to
decide, and he may determine the functions of his
ministers according to his needs.
- Contact between the ministers and the governor should he
2.3.2. Formation of consultative committees
This was to be done by seeking the help of scholars and wise
men, who are the decision-makers, and people of experience. The