A Survey and Evaluation of the Place of Optimal Governance in Nahj ul-Balāgha

The purpose of the present study is to explain the characteristics of optimal policy and governance from the perspective of Imam Ali (s) in Nahj ul-Balāgha. The main research question in this article is: “What status does the optimal governance have from the view of Imam Ali (s)?” Furthermore, this study relies on the hypothesis that the characteristics of a favorable governance according to the idea of Imam Ali (s) are derived from divine commandments, and a series of factors such as transgression and inattention to meritocracy are considered as the features of a tyrannical government (Tāghūt). A favorable government in the idea of Imam Ali (s) is of special importance. The method of the study is descriptive analysis and the results showed that in the view of Imam Ali (s), legitimacy, public participation, transparency (accepting the criticisms and responding to them), responsibility and responsiveness, efficiency, and meritocracy have an effective role in creating a favorable government in society. On the other hand, he introduces transgression, inattention to meritocracy, autocracy, and power seeking as basic obstacles in the way of optimal governance.