The Role of the Counsel in Government

Imam Ali (AS) said in a letter that he wrote to Muawiya, ‘…rather counsel is confined to the muhajirun and the ansar [muhajirun – early Muslims who migrated from Mecca to Medina with the Prophet (ed.) ansar – Medinan Muslims who helped the Meccan Muslim migrants settle in Medina (ed.) ]. If they agree on an individual and take him to be their leader, it will be deemed to mean Allahs pleasure.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not desist from speaking the truth, nor from offering your counsel with fairness, for verily I do not regard myself above erring, nor do I consider myself immune from erring in my actions. It is only that Allah makes up for my shortcomings and helps me avoid errors in all these matters wherein He is more powerful than I.

Imam al-Hasan (AS) said, with regards to his treaty with Muawiya, ‘Muawiya b. Abi Sufyan has no right to delegate anybody after him to power. Rather the matter will be for the Muslims to decide in counsel amongst themselves.