The Necessity Of Government

Imam Ali (AS) said regarding the arbitration, ‘These [people] say, ‘There is no need for government! Indeed there has to be a ruler under whose rule the believer toils and the wicked seeks to make merry.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘No one can straighten people other than a ruler be he pious or wicked.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Muawiya will prevail over you. They asked, ‘Why do you fight [him] then? He replied, ‘People must have a ruler be he pious or wicked.

Imam Ali (AS) said regarding the Haruriyya who say that there is no rule other than Allahs, ‘The rule is Allahs, and there are rulers on earth, but they [retort and] say, ‘There is no government ‘There must be a government for the people under which the believer toils and the wicked and the unbeliever seek to make merry, and in which Allah decrees the final outcome.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The people have to have a ruler over them, be he pious or wicked, under whose rule the believer toils and the wicked seeks to make merry, and in which Allah decrees the final outcome, and under which the booty is collected, the enemy is fought, the roads are made safe, and the weak is protected from the powerful, until the pious rests and the wicked is cast aside.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A wild lion is better than an oppressive ruler, while an oppressive ruler is better than lasting schisms.

Abu al-Bakhtari said, ‘A man entered the mosque and said, ‘There is no rule save Allahs. Then another man said, ‘There is no rule save Allahs. So [Imam] Ali said, ‘There is no rule save Allahs. “Allahs promise is indeed true. And do not let yourself be upset By those who have no conviction.” Quran 30:60 For you do not know what these [men are saying; they are saying, ‘There [should be no government. O People! You are not set straight without a ruler, be he pious or wicked. They replied, ‘We understand about the pious, but what about the wicked? He said, ‘[Under whom the believer toils and the wicked thrives, and Allah decrees the final outcome, your roads become safe, your markets operate, your booty is collected, your enemy is fought, and your weak is protected from the powerful from among you.