The Rule of Justice: An Interpretation of Governance and Social Order through the Middle East and Africa

A surprising and well-recorded letter of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AD 601-661), a successor of the Prophet Muhammad, addresses to the Governor of Egypt as follows,

You are going to meet two types of people. The first are your brothers in terms of same religion. The second are your brothers in terms of humanity.

This quotation summaries every aspect of humanity. In 7th century Egypt, Islam was still brining new evidence to a wide range of people - pagans, Jews, Christians. This important letter to governor of Egypt clearly spelt out the greeting that governance needed to maintain equality as brothers. The rule of justice is for all equally, irrespective of religious background. When considering the issues relevant to governance, the best governance is to ensure your subjects are all treated equally.