For the purpose of
smooth administration of the state, Imam Ali (A.S.) instructed Malik Ashtar to
put people into the following categories:
o Army personnel who
defend the cause of God.
o Secretaries of the state
who issue general or special orders on the direction of caliph/governor.
o Judges and magistrates
who administer justice.
o Officers maintaining law
and order.
o Common men, both Muslims
and non-Muslims, who pay taxes.
o Professionals and
artisans.
o Poor and have-nots.
It is highly significant
to note that this typology is based on two major criteria: faith
(distinguishing Muslims from non-Muslims), and profession or callings.
There is no mention of
tribe, caste and color. It is also not based on wealth or social status of a
person. As usual, the poor and deprived find a place in the above-mentioned
classification.
After categorizing
people into different groups, Imam Ali (A.S.) remarks that all these represent
a closely woven net. They are all dependent upon one another.
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