Politics and government are the main foundations of the society, and in an Islamic society, it is quite natural that politics and government are based on Islamic principles and goals. In such a political system, the political elites and administrators must have specific Islamic characteristics to be" logically and methodologically able to move towards the assigned goals. From Imam Ali"s (A.s.) perspective, these characteristics can be summarized in three categories.
The first group includes the rational and real characteristics which are indispensable to human societies. The second group includes the ethical and humanistic characteristics which value - based societies believe in. These consist of, first, a belief in the foundations of politics and government which include four principles, second, a belief in ethical and humanistic values which include six important values, third, open - mindedness and tolerance which include five theoretical and strategic characteristics in dealing with others and one"s opponents. The third group is specific to Divine religions and Islam and have their roots in Divine teachings and the political career of Imam Ali (A.s.). These consist of, first, enjoying ethical merits which includes four important merits in the field of social ethics. second, religious outlook towards power which includes two principles regarding motivation for power and ethical principles, third, ascetic outlook towards the world and life including two ways of dealing with the world, and fourth, generous interaction with people including five fundamental strategies regarding the interaction of governors with people.