Al-Imaam Ali bin Abu Talib (AS)’s sayings on leadership

Al-Imaam Ali bin Abu Talib (AS)’s sayings on leadership

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 in keeping silent as to 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 is 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.”

(The above sayings of Al Imaam Ali were taken from the Shia News web site.)

Al Imaam Husain ibn Ali (HWON) is reported to have said:  O' people, the Messenger of God said: Whoever sees an aggressive tyrant legalizes the forbidden of God, breeches divine laws, opposes the tradition of the Prophet, oppresses the worshippers of God, but does not concede his opposition to God in word or in deed, surely Allah will place that tyrant (in the Hell) where he deserves. (Maktal Khawarazmi, Vol. 1, P. 234) <http://www.aimislam.com/articles/quran--hadith/sayings-of-imam-hussain-a>