Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

624 Governors at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Tiilib
become obstacles preventing individuals from moving forward in the
system or a cause of rights and duties being neglected.334
2.4.6. Appointment to official positions
should be done in accordance with guidelines
and not personal connections
In this regard, Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Mi (may AUah be pleased
with him) confinned his appointment of his governor in Egypt:
"Then look at the situation of your workers, and appoint them after
you test them; do not appoint them on the basis of favouritism or for
personal reasons. It is essential to cany out preliminary tests on a
person whom you plan to employ for some job. The leader has to
keep away from personal reasons when employing or promoting
people to high positions." Then Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) said:
"Then look at the situation of your scribes, and let the best of them be
in charge of your affairs,"335 not the closest of them to your heart or
your family. There is no room for connechons and emotions; the
standard is the truth, in addition to the ability to do the job with
honesty and sincerity.'16
2.4.7. Proper management
Ln the letter of Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) to al-Ash'ath ibn
Qays, this concept (of proper management) becomes clear: "Your
position is not a reward; rather it is a trust placed on your shoulders,
and you are responsible to those above This indicates that
Amir al-Mu'mineen regarded administrative work as a trust, and the
person in a position of responsibility has to render this trust as is and
take care of it. He is responsible before Allah (B) to do it properly,
and he is responsible before his superiors, "those above yon", as an
acknowledgement of the importance of the hierarchical system. This
was an important factor in bringing about the control and