Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

628 Governors at the time of 'Ali ibn Abi Tilib
new workers could learn and gain experience from those who came
before them. This principle was also spoken of by Amir al-
Mu'mineen 'Ali (&): "The best people you can consult are people
of reason and knowledge and people of experience and resolve.349
The best people you can consult are people of experience."350 He
also said, with regard to keeping company with people of knowledge
and experience: "The best people you can accompany are people of
knowledge and f~rbearance."~~' These statements contain principles
that are aimed at preparing the Muslim to be successful in his life,
then building a society characterised by its continual
ad~ancement?~'
2.4.11. A compassionate, paternalistic approach
The governor is a father figure before he is a man of authority;
he treats his employees like he treats his own children. Just as the
father takes on the responsibility of raising his children, so the
governor takes on the responsibility of preparing senior employees of
the state. This is the principle that was adopted by the Japanese, and it
is the principle that we find confirmed in the words of Amir al-
Mu'mineen 'Ali (&) when he advised M Si ihn al-Ashtar to be
kind to his employees and check on their affairs as parents check on
their child?53 The leader must treat his employees as a father treats
his son, taking care of him, overlooking his mistakes, and punishing
him only for the purpose of discipline.
These are some of the administrative principles that were
followed by Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ihn Abi Tab (&).