Core Principle of Governance: Imam Kadhim’s Timeless Standard for Public Accountability
Introduction: Upholding Public Trust Through Exemplary Conduct
Master Sheikh Hossein Ansarian, a respected scholar, recently delivered a discourse highlighting a profound teaching from Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) concerning the unparalleled precision required in upholding Haq al-Nas — the rights of people. His address, “Imam Kadhim’s Unparalleled Precision Regarding People’s Rights,” illuminates a fundamental principle that transcends individual transactions, offering deep insights into the bedrock of public trust and ethical governance.
The Imam’s Demand for Absolute Transparency
The narrative shared by Master Ansarian recounts a notable incident involving Imam Musa al-Kadhim (AS) in a market. Following a brief drizzle that barely dampened the surface of sacks of wheat and barley outside a grocer’s shop, the Imam observed the scene. He posed a pointed question to the grocer: “If a customer wishes to purchase a kilogram of this wheat, will you sell it as is?” The grocer confirmed this intention.
The Imam then inquired, “Will you disclose to the customer that it has been touched by rain?” The grocer’s candid response, “No,” drew a powerful admonition from Imam al-Kadhim (AS): “What will be your reply to God on the Day of Judgment? This kilogram of wheat contains half a mithqal of water. God does not acquire wheat mixed with water.” This exchange underscores an uncompromising standard of honesty, demanding full disclosure even for the most minute imperfections.
Implications for Governance and Public Service
While seemingly a simple market transaction, Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s (AS) insistence on absolute precision and transparency carries profound implications for leadership, governance, and all forms of public service. The concept of Haq al-Nas, central to Islamic jurisprudence, mandates that those in positions of authority—whether in governmental offices, economic institutions, or community leadership—are ultimately stewards of the people’s welfare and resources.
The Imam’s lesson serves as a potent reminder that public accountability requires meticulous honesty, not only in grand policies but in every detail, no matter how small. It emphasizes that leaders and public servants must operate with a level of integrity that ensures no public resource is misrepresented or mishandled, embodying the principle that one cannot offer what is impure or incomplete. Such exactitude fosters trust, ensures justice, and elevates the moral fabric of society.
A Call for Ethical Leadership and Economic Integrity
Master Ansarian’s elucidation of Imam Kadhim’s (AS) teachings reaffirms that true devotion and spiritual rectitude are intrinsically linked to unwavering ethical conduct in all dealings. This principle calls for a comprehensive commitment to transparency and fairness across economic activities, administrative practices, and the equitable distribution of resources. It establishes a benchmark for ethical leadership where integrity is non-negotiable and public trust is paramount, reflecting the path of those who are truly devoted to higher principles of justice and accountability.
Date: Jamadi al-Thani 1398, Tehran/Hosseiniyeh Hamadanis
