Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Ttlib 613
appoint them on the basis of favouritism and preferences, because
that will lead to injustice. Seek those who have experience and are
modest, people from righteous families who have seniority in Islam,
as they are nobler in character and better in background, have less
worldly ambitions and are more farsighted. Then be generous in
giving them salaries, for that will help them to take care of
themselves and make them have no need of what they are handling,
and leave them with no excuse to disobey you or betray you. Check
on their work, and send spies from among the trustworthy and loyal
people to spy on them, for your checking on them secretly would
motivate them to be sincere and kind to the people. If one of them
makes a treacherous move, you will get news of him through your
spies, and that will be proof enough for you; then you will be able to
punish him physically and hold him responsible for his mistakes in
his work, and to bring humiliation upon him and label him as a
betrayer, putting around his neck a necklace of shame."303
Here he is talking about employees who work under the
governors and are in charge of cities and villages, as well as tax
collectors. They shoulder a great responsibility because their work is
directly connected to the people. From this text, the importance of
these workers in the administrative system becomes clear, because
they represent the executive authority. It is essential that their needs
be met, so that they will not covet the wealth or rights of others.304
Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) pointed out the importance of spies or
watchdogs, whose job involves oversight of departments,
administrative bodies and the treasury. They are to be appointed
by the governor and are responsible to him. They should be people
who are sincere, so that their reports will be realistic and true. They
should also be loyal, so that their aim is to serve the state sincerely.
After they submit their reports to the governor, he should
carefully verify what is in these reports and not hasten to pass