The covenant from Imam Ali to Malik al-Ashtar, appointed governor of Egypt outlines comprehensive guidance on just governance, emphasising fearing God, serving the people with mercy and fairness, and selecting virtuous officials. It stresses the importance of various societal classes, including the military, judiciary, and the needy, and their respective rights and the ruler's responsibilities towards them. The covenant further advises on avoiding oppression, upholding justice, managing finances, dealing with enemies, and maintaining personal piety and humility in leadership. Ultimately, it serves as a holistic manual for ethical and effective statecraft.
These instructions provide a comprehensive ethical framework for governance, emphasising the intertwined nature of religious principles and effective statecraft. The document stresses that a just ruler must be compassionate, self-controlled, and accountable to both God and his people. The selection of competent and trustworthy officials, the equitable treatment of all social classes, fiscal responsibility, the upholding of agreements, and the sanctity of life are presented as essential pillars of a righteous and stable government. The repeated warnings against oppression, injustice, and arrogance serve as powerful reminders of the potential pitfalls of power and the importance of ethical leadership.