doctrines of Imām Ali (a.s.) deem destructive and damaging are: violation of people’s rights, unjust bloodshed, mismanagement in handling affairs, selfishness , misappropriation, giving priority to governors, heads of government and their associates over others, neglecting fundamental tasks and issues, dealing with trivial, fruitless and unimportant issues, assigning inefficient people to critical posts and failing to employ competent individuals.
Imām asserts that oppression and injustice under any name and in any form will cause the decline of the state, and if injustice is allowed in a society, it will consequently lead to wars and the state’s authority and its dignity will be marred. This is why he views oppression as the worst of policies and affirms that injustice and tyranny create instability, remove blessings and ruin communities and states.
In his instructions to Mālik al-Ashtar, Imām Ali (a.s.) wrote: “Never commit bloodshed when dealing with opponents and those of other ideologies, as the shedding of unlawful blood will bring Divine revenge, take away blessings and sovereignty will never be set firm by bloodshed, rather it will weaken, enfeeble and ruin its authority.”
He asserted that if a government is inflicted with mismanagement and does not enjoy wise and precise policies, it will start to decline and will consequently topple. The state which provides the best facilities for the ruler and his dominance, and instead of self-sacrifice (ithār), it proceeds with selfishness and the use of facilities for the ruler and his associates (isti'thār) will definitely be bound to decline. Imām said: “The rulers who deal with trivial, baseless, and transient issues instead of proceeding with fundamental tasks, basic policies, and principal planning, will rapidly slide to decline. Those who put aside the great tasks and excellent deeds and deal with mean and petty work will lead the government to its plight.” Pondering on such teachings of the Imām is necessary and beneficial for rulers, officials, and heads of states.
3. Efficient International Policies
In addition to what has been said, Imām followed certain policies and introduced methods of interaction that should be taken into consideration by the rulers when interacting with other states,