In this article we will continue our discussion regarding The Treatise of Rights by Imam Zayn Al-Abidin (AS). We will discuss the Right of Possessor of Authority. Regarding this, the Imam (AS) has said:

Then the right of the possessor of authority is that you should know that God has established you as a trial for him. God is testing him through the authority He has given him over you. And you should sincerely provide him with your advice. And you should not quarrel with him while he has full dominance over you, for thereby you cause your own destruction and his, too. And you should be humble and courteous for his gifts to attain his satisfaction with you, so that he will not harm your religion.

And you should seek God's help in this regard. Do not oppose his power and do not resist him. Should you do so, you would have disobeyed him and disobeyed yourself: thus exposing yourself to encounter his evil and expose him to destruction by you. Thus you will deserve to be considered to be his assistant acting against yourself and as his partner in what he does to you. And there is no power but in God.

Everyone agrees that for every nation and for every group of people, without a doubt there must be a leader or at least someone who guides the group and someone in order to run their affairs. One of the necessities of having a successful society or a successful community, there must be a mature leader that guides them. Social regulations and laws should be executed under his rule. Social security and peace should be established and chaos should be avoided so that the people can continue their lives and struggle for further development.

This leader that works tiredly to accomplish the goals of his specific group, does he not have any rights?

With all the struggles that this leader may face do they not deserve some sort of support or encouragement?

A great example of a leader is Imam Ali (AS), but unfortunately he was met by people who didn’t know his worth and his rights. After the Battle of Siffeen and After Omar ibn Al As raised the texts of the Quran, the army of Imam Ali (AS) turned against the Imam and forced him to pull back and go for “Tahkim”. Now after this incident the group of Khawarij was formed, this group is known for going against the Imam of their time, which was Imam Ail (AS).

When the “Kharijites” objected to Imam Ali about the issue of “Tahkim” and claimed that the verdict lies but with God, Imam Ali said:

“The statement is right but what (they think) it means is wrong. Yes, it is true that verdict lies but with God, but these people say that (the function of) governance is only for God. The fact is that there is no escape for men from a ruler, whether good or bad. The faithful persons perform (good) acts in his rule while the unfaithful ones enjoy (worldly) benefits in it. During the rule, God would carry everything to end. Tax is collected by the ruler, enemies are fought with, roadways are protected and the right of the weak is taken from the strong till the virtuous enjoys peace and is allowed protection from (the oppression of) the wicked.”

Here we can see that Imam Ali (AS) stresses the importance of a ruler in a society and his importance as well. He points out that a peaceful and strong society is one in which there is a strong rule based upon which security and order is established in the society. Here the Imam stressed the absolute necessity of a ruler in the society.

All of the Imam agree with this fundamental concept. Regarding this Imam AL-Ridha (AS) has said:

“One reason to support this view is that there have been no groups or nations who have been able to continue living without a leader or ruler, since people need a leader for their worldly and heavenly affairs. Therefore, it is not wise for a sage to deprive the people of what they need to continue living. They fight their enemies under his rule. They divide the booties under his supervision. They establish their Friday congregations and other gatherings through him. They seek justice for the weak ones against the oppressors by him.”

The need for a leader is clearly established from these words expressed by Imam Ridha.

Now let’s look at the characteristics of a leader. If we were to split the leaders, some would be considered just leaders while others would be considered oppressive. Each one has certain characteristics. In the Holy Quran it says:

“And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practice regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Anbiya 21:73]

The characteristics and duties expressed in this verse about leaders appointed by God are guiding men by God’s command, receiving divine inspiration to do good deeds, establish regular prayers, practice regular charity in order to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, and finally to constantly serve God, i.e. they must have served God to attain the position of leadership of the society.

Imam Sadiq narrates a very beautiful narration, it states that Imam Husayn told his companions:

“O people! God created the people only in order that they get to recognize Him. When they recognize Him, they worship Him, and when they worship Him they have no need of worshipping other than Him.”

A man said: “O’ May my parents be your ransom! How do we get to recognize God?” Imam Husain said:

“For each era the people should recognize their own leader whose obedience is obligatory for them.”

Thus, we see that the Imam considers getting to know the just leader is the proper way to recognize God.

In the Holy Quran there are many examples of leaders who have changed the lives of many and who have saved their societies from the brink of hell.

Some examples of these leaders include Prophet Joseph and Alexander or Dhul-qarnain. We can clearly tell from their lives and their stories that without them their societies would have never known who God really is.

We read in the Holy Qur’an that when Joseph was released from jail, and his talents became apparent to the ruler of Egypt, he was offered a high position in the government. Joseph who was an honest man and knew economics well thought that he could save the people of Egypt. He asked to be appointed as the treasurer. Consider the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:

“(Joseph) said: "Set me over the store-houses of the land: I will indeed guard them, as one that knows (their importance)." [The Holy Qur’an, Yusuf 12:55]

Joseph ran the affairs of the country and safely led the Egyptian people through the years of famine in such a successful way that the Qur’an considers him one of the best human leaders.

There are many traditions that stress the necessity of respecting a just ruler. We shall mention a few of them here. The Prophet of God said:

“Respect and revere the rulers since they are the Glory of God and His shadow on earth if they are just.”

It has been narrated that Umar asked the Prophet of God : “Please inform me of a ruler to whom everyone bows in respect.” The Prophet said:

“He is God’s shadow on the earth. Whenever he does some good act, there will be a reward for him and you must be grateful to him. Whenever he does an evil act, he is held responsible for it and you must be patient and persevering.”

We see that in this tradition the Prophet of God has stressed that we should be grateful to just rulers. It has been narrated that Imam Kazim advised his followers as follows:

“Do not debase yourselves through disobedience to your rulers. If they are just rulers, ask God for their prosperity and lasting rule. If they are oppressive rulers, ask God to guide them. Your righteousness depends on his righteousness. A just ruler is like a kind father. Like for him what you like for yourselves, and dislike for him what you dislike for yourselves.”

We see that the Imam depicts a just ruler as a kind father. He can direct the society towards progress, development and perfection, just as a kind father raises a good child. The Noble Prophet said:

“God has adorned the heavens with three things: the sun, the moon and the stars. He has also adorned the earth with three things: scholars, rain and just rulers.”

In order for a just leader to be successful and accomplish their goals, they must be equipped with a group of characteristics. Some of these include being informed about governmental affairs, now a leader who has this knowledge is like a lantern that lights up his way out of darkness. Some wise men have said that if a ruler lacks knowledge, he is like an elephant that runs over and destroys everything when it attacks, since it neither has knowledge nor intellect that are the means which hinder oppression.

Other important characteristics include fear and piety, these characteristics are a source of good blessings. When a ruler has piety, his people live in security.

Other good characteristics of a ruler are forgiving and overlooking people’s minor faults as we read in the following verse:

“Let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that God should forgive you?” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Nur 24:22]

Regarding this Imam Ali (AS) has said:

“Forgive your enemy once you have overcome him, so as to be grateful about the blessing of the victory which you have been granted.”