The Supreme Leader’s View of Supervision

The Supreme Leader’s View of Supervision
19/08/2009

The significance of supervision

The significance of supervision
Criteria for supervision

Supervision and the three government branches

Supervision and the executive branch
Supervision and the Majlis
Supervision and the judiciary branch

Supervision over the Leader

Supervision over the Leader
Supervisory mechanisms of the Assembly of Experts

Supervisory duties of the Guardian Council

Supervision of legislation
Supervising elections

Public supervision

Counseling people to do good and advising them against evil: A manifestation of Public supervision
Counseling officials to do good and advising them against evil
Supervisory role of the press
Supervising the press
Divine supervision

The Supreme Leader’s View of Supervision

The significance of supervision

The significance of supervision

It is very important to supervise the organizations in your charge. I insist and stress that you dear friends – as high-ranking officials and senior managers – give a lot of prominence to the issue of supervising the organizations in your charge. When your keen and insightful eyes look over the circle of your responsibilities, you can guarantee the accuracy and progress of the work being done. If you neglect your duties, it is possible that there will be turmoil in exactly the parts you have neglected. Human communities are not like a machine that can be operated by simply pushing a button. Human communities are an assortment of different personal decisions, thoughts, opinions, tendencies, and reasonable and unreasonable passions. When you make a decision and plan to put it into practice in the group you are working with, your decision may be confronted with the wide assortment of these personal wishes, thoughts, tendencies, and decisions. Your decision may be thwarted by these factors. You must remove these obstacles. And it is impossible to achieve this except through supervision.

Criteria for supervision

As far as supervision is concerned, laws and regulations have to be the criterion, not personal tastes and tendencies. You must absolutely avoid personal tastes. You must act in a way that you can justify your actions before Allah the Exalted and His servants. No considerations must obstruct the enforcement of the law.

Ethical issues have to be taken into consideration. In particular, personal issues of individuals must be kept apart from the main issues. For instance, political and partisan issues must not be mixed up with genuine revolutionary or counter-revolutionary positions. This is true of personal likes and dislikes as well. Sometimes you hate or love someone for no good reason. We must take care not to let our personal preferences come into play at any stage.

People must not be accused without having conducted an investigation. Appearances must not lead one to level allegations against someone.

Supervision and the three government branches

Supervision and the executive branch

Although bureaucracy and the executive branch are indispensable, they will turn into a dangerous force if caution is not exercised. This caution is exactly what can enable you to easily and quickly achieve your goals. No goals could be achieved in the absence of your efforts and the executive organizations. However, depending on the make-up of your team and, more importantly, your supervision, this large organization can indefinitely prevent you from achieving your goals. If you supervise it [the executive branch], you will have full control over it. But if you neglect it, you will be controlled by it. No matter how competent you are, you will not be able to deal with it.

I cannot tell you to select your team carefully because it is not possible to decide on a criterion and select a number of colleagues who meet the criterion. Is it possible to do so? After all, even if you do check your colleagues against the criterion, do good people always remain good? Are good people really immune to temptations? Therefore, spending time on supervision can act as a guarantee.

If a successful manager decides to divide his time between different tasks, I think, he should spend half of it on supervising the organization in his charge and the other half on other issues such as thinking, adopting the necessary policies, giving specific orders, holding meetings and so on. By supervision I mean you should have constant presence in these organizations. Follow-up is also part of supervision.

Of course a president’s supervision over his cabinet must not clash with independence of his cabinet members in their affairs. That is because the cabinet members receive a confidence vote from the Majlis and are entrusted with a legal responsibility. Therefore, this supervision applies to cabinet members as well. Their independence has to be respected, but the president must supervise them meticulously.

Supervision and the Majlis

The Majlis's first duty is to pass laws which enable the administration to handle substantive issues in a proper way and to exercise supervision over enforcing those laws through legal channels. Fulfilling this duty requires cooperation and mutual understanding between the administration and the Majlis, and it also requires the Majlis's support for the administration. In fact, the duty of the legislative branch is to make laws and to exercise supervision over government officials' performance. According to our Constitution, the Majlis supervises the administration’s activities. The Majlis can function as a center to fight corruption and deviation from laws in case the administration moves in a wrong direction or, God forbid, there is corruption or misuse of power somewhere in the administration.

In addition to its cooperation with the administration, especially the head of the administration, the Majlis should fulfill its supervisory role. One manifestation of this supervisory role is the Supreme Audit Court. The Supreme Audit Court is a very important means of supervision. The enormous budget of this nation is the only substantial source of the nation’s income, which is allotted to different organizations. It must be clear how this budget is spent. Specifying how the budget has been allocated and determining whether or not government-funded projects have been completed are one of the most important channels of the Majlis’s supervision. This must not be neglected.

There must a law to specify the means of supervision and the relationship between the executive organizations and the organizations under supervision. Problematic relationships are absolutely harmful to you. In principle, it is possible that some problematic and inappropriate relationships could develop among a number of organizations under supervision. This will undoubtedly create problems for supervision, decreasing its effectiveness. The great power that has been given to the Majlis by the law will be useless. Then the Majlis will not be efficient any longer.

Supervision by the Majlis is something indispensable, which could be carried out through such supervisory channels as the Supreme Audit Court and direct parliamentary questioning – that is, questions and warnings used by MPs as a means of supervision. These means of supervision are indispensable and of paramount importance. Nevertheless, they must not be used by one government branch against another.

Cooperation between the two legislative and executive branches can pave the way for the progress of the country, facilitating and accelerating constructive movements. Obviously, this does not mean that the Majlis should neglect its supervisory responsibilities. High-ranking government officials’ commitment, religious faith, efficiency, expertise, and loyalty to the Islamic Republic and the people are the criteria that the Majlis should use for trusting the officials. The Majlis must seriously supervise the officials’ performance according to the law. The health of this relationship must be such that administration officials consider the Majlis as the catalyst for great measures and benefit from its wisdom and insight when doing its difficult duties.

Supervision and the judiciary branch

The judiciary branch must welcome legal supervision. The law is one of the means of supervision. The law is a factor built into the judiciary which provides a very important and efficient means of supervision over the judiciary. The criterion must be the law. Laws must not be violated, and they must be enforced without any exceptions or limitations. The scope of the law must not be narrowed under different pretexts. In any case, the judiciary must welcome all forms of supervision. All supervision, all views, and all fair criticisms must be welcomed. Those who have a clean record – both in financial and non-financial matters – are not afraid of audit. You must allow supervisory mechanisms – that is, the Supreme Audit Court, different supervisory organizations, and the elements that are outside the judiciary branch such as experts at universities and Islamic seminaries as well as jurists – to express their views and criticisms. These factors will strengthen the judiciary and make it experienced. Thankfully, the judiciary has been based on good foundations. The foundations of the judiciary originate from the immaculate roots of the Islamic Republic, and are based on religious teachings. The judiciary is strong and is not afraid of anything. The more legal and supervisory challenges it faces, the better it is for the judiciary, as it will only become more experienced.

Supervision over the Leader

Supervision over the Leader

No one is above supervision. Even the Leader is not above supervision, let alone the organizations linked to the Leader. Therefore, everyone should receive supervision, including those who govern the country. Government by its very nature entails accumulation of power and wealth. That is to say, national wealth and social and political power are entrusted to a few government officials. As a result, they must be supervised. It is necessary to supervise government officials to make sure they resist their temptations and avoid corruption and misuse of public funds. Of course it is not right to classify organizations into those that are overseen by the Leader and those that are not. There is no such thing. According to the Constitution, the Leader oversees the three government branches. This is true of other organizations as well. Overseeing an organization does not mean that the Leader manages that organization. But that does not make a difference: All organizations have to be supervised. Of course public and governmental organizations must not be afraid of audit. Therefore, it is not the case that the organizations linked to the Leader are exempt from supervision.

Supervision should be carried out in a strict manner and you should not at all stand on ceremony in this regard. This is my opinion, and I have said this many times to the members of the Assembly of Experts as well as other people. I welcome supervision, and I am strongly opposed to evading it. Personally, the more supervision I receive, the happier I will be. That is to say, I will not feel irritated if I receive supervision. Therefore, I would happily welcome supervision. Of course if somebody has already exercised supervision over me and has obtained some information, he should give those pieces of information to the Assembly of Experts because they will certainly make use of them.

Supervisory mechanisms of the Assembly of Experts

The duty of the Assembly of Experts is firstly to elect a leader and secondly to exercise supervision over the leader they have chosen to see if he has maintained his competence, knowledge, piety, management skills, acumen, and sincerity. The Assembly of Experts must determine whether the leader meets the standards in terms of these qualities. They should exercise supervision over these matters, and this is the important responsibility of the Assembly of Experts. There is no other organization in the country which has been given the legal responsibility and authority to carry out this great task.

The Assembly of Experts has an investigation board, which is entrusted with the duty of inspecting the affairs related to the Leader. This investigation board does not just meet once a year. They do their job while the Leader is constantly observed by the public. Fortunately, the activities of the Leader are not something secret. That is because the responsibilities of the Leader are predetermined. The investigation board, which reports to the Assembly of Experts, launches inquiries and asks questions. The members of the Assembly of Experts engage in various discussions when they meet. They do not just issue one single statement a year. At their meeting, several discussions are set up and different suggestions are made. Therefore, they do their job. Holding even two sessions a year is no mean feat for that large organization. Previously, the Assembly of Experts used to hold one session a year, but it is a few year now that they have been holding two sessions each year. Likewise, the Assembly of Experts is, in turn, overseen by the public.

Supervisory duties of the Guardian Council

Supervision of legislation

Supervision of legislation must be considered as a law. The kind of supervision exercised by the Guardian Council is based on the law and the Constitution. It is deeply rooted in the Constitution. Of course it exists and it is strongly emphasized in the other laws passed by the Majlis. Supervision that is approved by the parliament is not peculiar to ordinary citizens. It is exercised to prevent dishonest and corrupt people from entering this important center [the parliament]. This kind of supervision is not peculiar to the parliament either. The president receives it as well. This type of supervision is a legal means to prevent the people who are not competent enough from holding important positions – such as presidency, membership of parliament, or other positions over which this supervision is exercised. This type of supervision is an appropriate measure. It is not something negative. Those who find fault with this type of supervision claim that being accepted or rejected by the Guardian Council is based on political tendencies. Of course this not true. The gentlemen serving at the Guardian Council have always denied this allegation.

Supervising elections

Supervising elections is a very important issue, because healthy elections will help form a healthy Majlis. And a healthy Majlis will pass healthy legislation. An executive organization will deviate from its duties if it is not governed by sound, well-defined, healthy laws. The legitimacy of the Islamic Republic is dependant on maintaining its Islamic aspect and observing the laws of the Constitution. This is a duty which has been assigned to the Guardian Council. Therefore, if the Majlis fails to pass laws which are in accordance with Islamic principles, this will no doubt have a negative impact on the administration and also on the management of the country. Therefore, a healthy system is dependant on a healthy Majlis. A healthy and efficient Majlis which is made up of faithful and qualified members will be able to provide proper legal support for the establishment. The Guardian Council is the most reliable organization which was formed in the country as a result of the Islamic Revolution. The Guardian Council is the most important and fundamental organization which guaranteed the existence of a healthy system in the country. The Guardian Council is a reliable council which supervises the elections.

Public supervision

Counseling people to do good and advising them against evil: A manifestation of Public supervision

Supervision is in part related to the general public. This, in the first place, includes counseling people to do good and advising them against evil in social matters. Of course, as far as personal matters are concerned, piety has been greatly emphasized by the Commander of the faithful (a.s.). But as far as social matters are concerned, nothing has been more strongly stressed than “counseling people to do good and advising them against evil”. This is a general duty. Counseling people to do good means inviting people to engage in good deeds. Advising people against evil means to stop people from doing what is evil. This cannot be done through words only. Of course this includes two stages. The first stage concerns what goes on in one’s heart. The first stage complements the second stage – which is in fact inviting people to good through words. For instance, when you invite people to engage in good deeds – helping the needy, donating charity, keeping other’s secrets, kindness, cooperating with others, humility, and patience – with the intention of helping the Islamic system, your invitation is considered an honest request only as long as you believe in what you say deep down in your heart. Or when you advise someone against doing something evil – oppression, encroaching on others’ rights, squandering public resources, making advances to other people's family, backbiting, telling lies, gossiping, plotting against others, acting against the Islamic system, and cooperating with the enemies of Islam – this will be a sincere piece of advice only when you also practice what you preach. If God forbid, you act hypocritically, you will be an example for the dua: “Allah has cursed those who ask people to do good, but refuse to do so themselves.” This means that those who invite people to do good but refuse to do so themselves as well as those who advise people against evil but engage in evil deeds themselves will be cursed by Allah and will face a very dangerous destiny.

If the concept of "counseling people to do good and advising them against evil" and its boundaries are clarified for the people, we will see that this is one of the best and most innovative and efficient ways of social interaction. This is a way of cooperation and a form of public supervision, and helps us promote goodness and prevent the spread of evil.

One of the outcomes of counseling people to do good and advising them against evil is that sins will always be considered as sins in an Islamic community. One of the greatest dangers threatening a society is changing the norms and portraying sins as virtues or virtues as sins.

If asking people to engage in good deeds and advising them against evil turns into a cultural norm in a society, people will always consider sins as sins and not virtues. One of the worst ways of plotting against the people is to act and speak in a way that makes them consider virtues – what is good for our country and what has been recommended in our religion – as sins and sins as virtues. This is a great danger. Therefore, the first advantage of counseling people to do good and advising them against evil is that sins will always be considered sins and virtues will always be considered as virtues. On the other hand, when people get used to committing sins, it will become more difficult for the leader of a society to guide people towards virtues and engaging in good deeds. This means that he will either be unable to do so or it will not be easy for him to do so. Therefore, he will have to pay heavy costs to fulfill that goal. There is a tradition by the Holy Prophet which means: “you should counsel each other to do good and advise each other against evil.” He advises people to help spread this as a cultural norm and to be committed to it. The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) says: "If you do not do so, Allah will make rebels and those who are corrupt and dependant dominant over you."

When people do not invite each other to do good or do not advise each other against engaging in evil deeds, wrongdoing, theft, cheating, and betraying others will become ordinary and the ground will be prepared for wicked people to gain power.

Counseling officials to do good and advising them against evil

Of course, counseling people to do good and advising them against evil can be done within different domains, such as that of government officials which is in fact the most important domain. This means that the people should counsel officials to do good and advise them against evil. The people should ask the officials to perform their duties efficiently. This should not be in the form of a request. Rather, the people should demand this of the officials. This is the most important domain for carrying out this duty. Of course, counseling people to do good and advising them against evil is not limited to this specific domain only. There are various domains for performing this duty.

There are important domains in which one can advise people against evil. For instance, one can advise powerful people against engaging in evil deeds, such as taking advantage of public resources, forming connections in places where the country's affairs are concerned – in imports, in establishing companies, or in using production resources.

Another instance is that of officials in positions of power who take connections into account when doing something. Two businessmen may work and cooperate with each other as friends. That is one thing. But sometimes, a person in a position of power makes connections with a particular person. This is a sin. It is forbidden and haraam. It is the duty of those who become aware of these things to advise those officials against engaging in such deeds, whether they stand below or above that person in rank. This will reduce the possibility of taking advantage of one’s power for those who tend to do so.

Supervisory role of the press

The Islamic Republic is a democratic system. A democratic system – which is established by the people – is not needless of people’s awareness. It needs to increase the awareness of its people and help them develop the ability to analyze. It should also provide an abundance of necessary and useful information and knowledge for its people.

In a democratic system, awareness is as vital as water and oxygen. The Islamic Republic is an example of such a system. The more the degree of people’s awareness, the more the Islamic Republic will benefit. Therefore, the Islamic Republic needs to increase the people’s awareness.

With their presence on different social and political stages, our people should make everyone aware of their duties through their precise supervision and timely interference and guidance. There is no doubt about the fact that the media in general and the press in particular are the link between the people and the officials. Undoubtedly, our press should make efforts to provide the people with knowledge and awareness in an accurate and timely manner. They should help foster the values, ideals, and moral principles of the people.

By increasing people’s awareness, the press can make the people aware of their responsibilities and also help the officials become aware of the heavy duties they shoulder. However, if the opposite happens, the press will make the people and the officials deviate from their duties by creating sensationalism, doubts and discord among the two groups, namely the people and the officials.

I believe that the existence of the press is vital for the Iranian society and any other society seeking to lead a good life. I believe that the press have three general duties: 1- Criticism and supervision 2- Reporting news in a clear and honest manner 3- Helping the exchange of views and ideas in society. I believe that the freedom of press and freedom of speech are obvious rights of the people and the press. There is no doubt about this fact and this is one of principles which has been emphasized in the Constitution. I believe that a society which lacks free press and free and insightful journalists will lose many other things as well. The existence of free press is a sign of progress in a society and will lead to progress. This means that progress and freedom on the part of the people will lead to the existence of free press. On the other hand, the existence of free press will in turn lead to progress of a nation. Of course, I believe that there are other values and realities which have be taken into consideration alongside freedom of press, and those values should not be trampled upon due to the freedom of press. What is important is to be able to enjoy freedom and understand these realities at the same time – that is to have free press and avoid the harmful consequences which may follow. That is how we should act.

Supervising the press

Supervising the press is a duty and a necessity. This is what has been clearly mentioned in the Constitution as well as in the press laws. In the absence of supervision, the press will not be able to satisfy national needs and interests. Some people think that public opinion is a free zone with no borders where they can do whatever they want.

The press will deal a blow to what is sacred to the people and to their faith, feelings, and beliefs if they provide incorrect analyses and engage in slandering and spreading lies and rumors. Therefore, it is necessary to supervise the press so that these things will not happen. This is a duty.

Divine supervision

We should take the hereafter into consideration in all our decisions and in whatever we do. There are some people who take public supervision and the words of other people into account but do not take into account divine supervision and what our future life will be dependant on. At any age, we are on the edge of the border between existence and non-existence. There is divine chastisement across the death border. We should be careful. Our real and eternal life is in the hereafter. This is what we have to keep in mind. We are here living this temporary life in order to prepare ourselves for a decent life in the hereafter. We have to think of the hereafter and Allah’s satisfaction when we appoint and sack people and when we provide consultation for others. We have to keep the hereafter and Allah’s satisfaction in mind when we say something, when we sign something, and when we make decisions in our lives.

There are some people who think that power and wealth are evil in nature, while this is not the case. Power and wealth are the adornments of life. How should we make use of power? Power is not evil if we make good use of it – that is, to serve the interests of the people, to promote spirituality and moral principles, and to bring salvation to the people. But power is evil if it is used to serve personal interests and desires or if it used against other people, as wild animals do. This way, the more the degree of one’s power, the more evil it will be.

Government officials should think of divine supervision at all times. We have to take the day of reckoning seriously. Divine justice will be administered on the day of reckoning. A single moment of negligence or lack of devotion to one’s duty will be recorded in our file. We will be held accountable for these in the hereafter. In the same manner, any difficulties which you undertake in order to fulfill your duties will be recorded in your file. The anxiety which you experience due to your sense of duty, the efforts which you make, and all the pressure which you put on yourself, your family, your eyes and your nerves in order to do something for the sake of God will be taken into account by God. If God forbid, we are negligent, act inconsiderately, are not committed to our duties, or do not care about the interests of the people or the country due to certain personal considerations, Allah will take them all into account and will hold us responsible for what we have done.

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