Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

Accountability of the Functionaries

The functionaries of the state can be both constructive and destructive in their action and attitude. With their constructive actions, the state develops and prospers. If they adopt a contrary attitude, it would certainly be harmful for the state. The head of a state needs to monitor the activities of the functionaries and should not relax after assigning them to their tasks. However honest and trustworthy the functionaries, they are fallible human beings. They might get attracted to the luster and lucre of wealth and stray from the right path if left to their own scruples for long. They might indulge in bribery, misappropriation and other such destructive activities. Instead of serving the people, they might turn self-serving.

Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) knew the futility of the human nature very well. He did not believe in closing the eyes and ears in trusting people. Besides, some of the functionaries of the previous administration had convinced him of their reliability and were continuing in service, for example: Abū-Mūsa al-Ash`ari, al-Ash`ath ibn Qays and Masqalah ibn Hubayrah. It was necessary that all their activities were monitored and the cash inflows and outflows audited. Therefore, Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) used to keep an eye on every minute thing like the lifestyle of these persons. He praised them for good performance and reprimanded them if he found any oversights, defects or dereliction of duty in their activities. He used to check the account of bayt al-mal regularly. If he received reports of misappropriation by any functionary, he used to lift his eyes towards the sky and say:

“O Allah! You know that I have placed them over Your creatures not to harm them and defy Your Rights.”[1]

He then used to conduct an audit and punish the person according to the seriousness of his misdemeanor. From some he used to recover the misappropriated funds and some he incarcerated as a punishment for their crime. Some of such events are mentioned her in brief.

[1] Al-Istī`āb, Vol 3, Page 48

The governor of al-Basrah, `Uthman ibn Hunayf attended a party. `Ali (a.s) came to know about it and wrote to `Uthman,

“I did not expect that you would accept their invitation from whose doors the beggars and the needy are chased away and the affluent entertained! The morsels that you chew, you must first look at carefully! Leave aside those morsels that give you some suspicion. O Ibn Hunayf! Fear Allah and remain contented with your own bread so that you get relief from the fire of the Hell!”

Some reports of misdemeanor came about al-Ash`ath ibn Qays, who was the governor of Azerbaijan since the times of `Uthman. After the Battle of the Camel, `Ali (a.s) wrote to him, “You are the treasurer of all the funds of Allah that are in your trust until you hand them over to me!” al-Ash`ath understood that he was about to be dismissed. He gathered whatever amounts he could and told some of his friends about `Ali’s letter and that he intended to go under the protection of Mu`awiyah. His friend said that it was not proper for him to leave behind his tribesmen and go to Syria. On the advice of his friends, he gave up his intention of going there. `Ali (a.s) sent Hijr ibn `Adi to him, who somehow brought him to al-Kūfah. When his baggage was rummaged, they recovered 400,000 dirhams in cash. `Ali (a.s) gave him 30,000 dirhams as a compensation for his services and the rest was transferred to the bayt al-mal.

Al-Mundhir ibn al-`Abdi, whom he appointed as the governor of Astkhar did some misappropriation. `Ali (a.s) wrote to him, “I have been informed that you are losing your Hereafter to make this world! You are breaking your link with the Faith and doing favors with your relations! You do not deserve to be in a position of trust or to depend on you for protecting others from misappropriation. Therefore, as soon as you get this letter, come and report to me!” When al-Mundhir came, his accounts were audited. It was found that he was short of 20,000 dirhams. But he denied having that money with him. `Ali (a.s) asked him to make the statement under oath, that he refused. He was sent to the jail. After some time he was released at the instance of Sa`sa`ah ibn Sawhan.

Reports of cheating came about Ziyad ibn Sumayyah, who was on a deputation in place of Ibn `Abbas, at al-Basrah. `Ali (a.s) wrote to him, “If I find that you have misappropriated the funds of Muslims and you have done malpractice in anything big or small, I shall give you such punishment that

will make you empty handed, weak and discredited among people!”

`Ali (a.s) wrote to the governor of Ardshir, Maslamah ibn Hubayrah, “The funds that were earned through the tips of the Muslims’ lances and the hoofs of their horses, for which they had shed their blood and sweat, you are distributing to the Bedouin of your tribe. If this is proved right, you will come down in my estimation! In this fund, the Muslims who are with me here and those who are with you there are equal partners!”

When some persons from Banū-Tamim complained about the harsh treatment of Ibn `Abbas, `Ali (a.s) wrote to him, “May Allah be kind on you! Whatever good or bad that comes from your mouth and the hands about the people, do not hasten in doing that! Remember, we are both equal partners in whatever you do!”

`Ali (a.s) wrote to the governor of Halwan, al-Aswad ibn Qatbah, “When a person in authority has different attitudes towards different persons, then mostly it may not be a just act! Therefore, justice demands that all people must be equal in your consideration! Protect your psyche and protect the people to the best of your ability!”