Letters sent by Hazrat Ali to Malik Ashter (Governor of Eqypt) dictating how to govern a state

Hazrat Ali (RAA) advised Malik Ashtar to do everything in a proper way. He told him that whenever you promise a product, deliver on it. The questions and feedback of the people would help to decide what the consumer really want and thus follow a consumer-oriented approach rather than a selfish product-oriented approach.

With the consumer-oriented approach and feedback it will be more beneficial for the State and his reputation and goodwill will be maintained. Hazrat Ali (RAA) also advised against leasing lands permanently to anyone that would lead to monopoly of raw materials that those lands may hold and be a cause of pain for the common man. He also advised not to deceive the common man

He was advised to avoid greedy and covetous persons who would teach him to exploit the community and how to oppress people to get their wealth and also asked to control markets and imports and exports, to curb evils of profiteering, hoarding, black-marketing which would lead to sudden increase in prices.

To be fair, impartial and just in the dealings with all, individually and collectively. Hoarding should be avoided because Holy Prophet had explicitly prohibited such practices. And that trade should go on between the buyers and sellers according to correct measures and weights and on such reasonable terms that neither the consumers nor the suppliers should have to face losses.

Ali (RAA) said that the prosperity of the whole set-up depends upon the traders and industrialists. They act as a medium between the consumers and the suppliers. They collect the requirements of the society and exert to provide goods.

There may be local businessmen carrying on their trade in certain places or those who send their merchandise from one place to another, those who import and export goods, those industrialists and manufacturers as well as industrial labour or men engaged in the handicrafts; they all deserve sympathy, protection and good treatment.

Most of these traders carry and convey these goods from across deserts, seas and over open lands and mountains, their consignments are brought from distant lands, often from places which are not easy to approach and where usually people do not care or do not dare to go. These businessmen are usually peace-loving people, not given to mischievous disturbances and seditious fomentation. Ali (RAA) that Malik Ashtar must look after their interest and protect them whether they are trading in his cities or towns or whether they are travelling over the countries carrying goods from place to place.

Ali (RAA) advised to not develop the trait of over exaggeration, to do no fraud or deception and not use ambiguous meaning in between the lines when making a promise (advertisements/promotions/treaties/contracts). Not to use works in the promotion that may be possibly translated into more than one way or as may have various interpretations and many explanations, but that they should be clear, precise and to the point.

And when once a treaty has been finally concluded, not try to take advantage of any ambiguous word or phrase in it and if any such term has been made which turns out to be against the person post-signing the contract, then that term should be adhered to and not go back on the promise.
These principles are still applicable today but rarely seen!