The United Nations has
advised Arab countries to take Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) as an example in
establishing a regime based on justice and democracy and encouraging
knowledge.
The UNDP in its 2002 Arab Human
Development Report, distributed around the
world, listed six sayings of Imam Ali (AS) about ideal governance.
They include consultation
between the ruler and the ruled, speaking out against corruption and other
wrong doings, ensuring justice to all, and achieving domestic development.
The UNDP said most regional
countries are still far behind other nations in democracy, wide political
representation, women's participation, development and knowledge.
Imam Ali bin Abi Talib
(AS)'s sayings:
1. "He
who has appointed himself an Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by
teaching himself before teaching others. His teaching of others must be first
by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by
teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches
and educates others."
2. "Your
concern with developing the land should be greater than your concern for
collecting taxes, for the latter can only be obtained by developing; whereas
he who seeks revenue without development destroys the country and the
people."
3. "Seek
the company of the learned and the wise in search of solving the problems of
your country and the righteousness of your people."
4. "No
good can come out in keeping silent to the government or in speaking out
of ignorance."
5. "The
righteous are men of virtue, whose logic is straightforward, whose dress is
unostentatious, whose path is modest, whose actions are many and who are
undeterred by difficulties."
6. "Choose
the best among your people to administer justice among them. Choose someone
who does not easily give up, who is unruffled by enmities, someone who will
not persist in wrong doings, who will not hesitate to pursue right once he
knows it, someone whose heart knows no greed, who will not be satisfied with
a minimum of explanation without seeking the maximum of understanding, who
will be the most steadfast when doubt is cast, who will be the least
impatient in correcting the opponent, the most patient in pursuing the truth,
the most stern in meting out judgment, someone who is unaffected by flattery
and not swayed by temptation and these are but few."
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