(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By: President PAAGH Siraj Narsi)
We live in an age of increasing polarization where political, ideological, and religious narratives divide societies into rigid camps of “us” and “them.” These narratives thrive, unfortunately, because they are endlessly repeated—amplified by social media where misinformation is accepted as truths without verification, where echo chambers reinforce existing biases. Even some wellmeaning people circulate these ideas and narratives with little pause for reflection, historical
context, or critical inquiry. One visible consequence of this practice is the persistence of Islamophobia in the west, a fear rooted less in facts than in the lack of knowledge and ignorance of Islamic history and its ethical and intellectual traditions.
History, however, offers powerful counter-narratives grounded in our shared humanity. By overlooking the historical depths of Islamic thought, we miss the universal truths that could bridge the gap between faiths. We can find such universal truths in the legacy of Ali ibn Abi Talib—the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the fourth Caliph of Islam, and the first Imam in the Shia tradition. As Muslims around the world celebrate Youm-e-Ali on 13 Rajab
(January 2), his birthday, this moment invites a renewed look at a dimension of his legacy that remains profoundly relevant today: his model of governance rooted in justice, accountability, and human dignity.
While Imam Ali was a religious figure, his approach to leadership and governance was rooted in a universal humanism that transcends religion and theology. At a time when fear and exclusion often dominate the headlines, looking back at Ali’s philosophy offers us a refreshing blueprint for a society built on inclusion, equity and social justice. In an era of division and exclusion, Ali’s governance philosophy offers a refreshing model for inclusion, harmony and equity. His core
mandate was captured in a famous letter to Malik al-Ashtar, his appointed governor of Egypt: “Among your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who are your brothers in faith, and those who are your equals in humanity”. This single line shatters the idea of “extremism” and “exclusion.” In Ali’s eyes, a leader’s duty isn’t just to those who pray like them or belong to the “tribe”, it is a duty to every human soul. This revolutionary stance is why the United Nations has cited this letter as a historical model for fair governance. Imam Ali’s instructions to his governor in the 7th century align remarkably with 21st-century ideals of transparency, meritocracy, and human rights.
The Power of Empathy over Authority
Ali warned his governor not to behave like a dictator over his citizens. He argued that a leader’s heart must be filled with mercy, love, and kindness. In modern terms, this is empathetic leadership—the idea that authority is a responsibility to serve, not a license to rule.
Protecting the Vulnerable
Ali emphasized that the true test of a government is how it treats those who have no voice—the poor, the disabled, and the elderly. He advised to set aside a portion of the treasury specifically for them and to meet with them face-to-face, without guards or soldiers present, so they could speak their minds without fear. This approach corresponds to the social welfare aspect of modern governance ideas.
Economic Justice and Anti-Corruption
Ali believed that the development of the land (and people) was more vital than the collection of taxes. If the people are struggling, he argued, the state should lower taxes to help them recover. He also warned against “nepotism,” telling Malik to never give special favors to his own relatives or friends at the expense of the public. This is akin to compassionate and transparent governance in today’s context.
Choosing the Judiciary (The Judges)
Ali believed that the legal system was the backbone of society. He told Malik to pick people who cannot be bought or intimidated, whom flattery cannot influence and who do not get flustered by the presence of powerful litigants. If they realize they’ve made a wrong judgment, they must have the courage to correct it immediately. They don’t settle for “surface” facts but they should be deep thinkers to investigate the root of a dispute. This speaks to the judicial integrity and merit in modern times.
Choosing Civil Servants (The Bureaucracy)
Ali warned against choosing staff based on personal intuition or because they seem polite and friendly. He suggested to look at their past performance and reputation among the people they served previously. He emphasized that there should be “test” period; a trial run to see how they handle responsibility. Ali also advocated for paying government officials well. His logic was that if they were financially secure, they would have fewer excuses to take bribes or dip into public
funds. As can be seen, Ali preached meritocracy and integrity as we know it today.
The Military and Security
Ali viewed the army not as a tool of oppression, but as a protection for the people. He advised Malik to choose leaders based on character, not rank; to look for those who are patient, don’t get angry easily. He argued that the strength of the state doesn’t come from the elites, but from the common people, the grass roots who make up the majority. This is yet another prevailing norm of contemporary democracies.
The Circle of Governance
Ali described the state as an interconnected web. If one part fails, the whole system collapses.
- The Taxpayers cannot thrive without the protection of the Army.
- The Army cannot survive without the revenue from the Taxpayers.
- Neither can function without Judges and Civil Servants to maintain order and provide services.
- And none of them can prosper without the Traders and Craftsmen who keep the economy moving.
Who would argue that this isn’t the government concept as we know it in our times?
A Final Thought on “The Common Man”
Ali ended his advice by telling Malik to spend more time listening to the common people than the elites. He argued that the elites are often the first to complain, the most demanding in times of peace, and the least helpful in times of crisis. It is the ordinary citizens—the workers and the families—who are the true strength of a nation. This is yet another universal truth as relevant today as in Ali’s 7th century model. It is striking that Ali’s core principles of Governance in the 7th century have strong parallels with 21st century ideals. He advised that the policy making should be based on consultation with the wise people in the society, should be evidence based, no nepotism or preference for kin and friends, instead govern with meritocracy, transparency and accountability. He emphasized strongly in equal rights for non-Muslims, which aligns with modern human rights ideals today. As one can see, Ali provides a masterclass in governance principles, justice and institutional integrity. In that, he gave Malik a roadmap for how to build a government that people could actually trust. In the face of rising Islamophobia, it’s easy to get lost in stereotypes. However, the history of Islam—through figures like Ali—actually contains some of the earliest arguments for pluralism, justice, equal rights and equity. Ali’s governance wasn’t about enforcing a religion; it was about enforcing justice and fairness. He believed that a state could survive “disbelief” (lack of faith), but it could never survive injustice. When we read his words today, we don’t see an “ancient” or “foreign” ideology. We see a mirror of our own highest aspirations: a world where every person, regardless of their background, cast, creed and faith, is treated with dignity, where the law applies to the powerful and the weak equally, and where leadership is defined by service and integrity.
By rediscovering the shared values of equity and humanism preached by Imam Ali (and other leaders of Islam from that era), we can begin to dismantle the ignorance that fuels exclusion and phobias that divide us. Ali’s message to us is simple: justice is the only bridge strong enough to hold us all together. This is as true today as it was 1400 hundred years ago, as it is a universal truth.
About the writer:
Siraj Narsi is a Business Finance professional, a Rotarian and an active community volunteer. He sits on the executive and advisory boards ofseveral non-profit organizations. He is also a filmmaker and writer. Before moving to North America, he was a faculty member at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.
