The Nature of the Institution  Mazālim'; the necessity and foundations of its Establishment in an Islamic government

In the early era of Islamic governments, an establishment called DiwÁn-e MaÛalim was responsible for taking care of people’s complaints about the oppressions and injustice exercised by the governmental men of position and the people in power. Taking into account such characteristics as relationship with the highest governmental official and employing powerful and righteous administrators and judges as well as a group of competent consultants have left us an effective and powerful image of an instance of reclaiming the rights of the oppressed people and of putting an end to oppressions. In this article, in addition to casting light on the nature of this social institution, special mention has been made of the aims of establishing this institution. These aims can be recounted as observing people’s rights and making people satisfied with the government and the system of supervising administrators and ranking officials. It has also sought to provide evidence for the fact that the establishment of this institution has been out of urgent necessity in an Islamic government.