The Foundations and Principles of Economic Training of Agents from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balagha

One of the important issues of all systems is the efficiency and optimal performance of its agents, especially in the economic field. Imam Ali PBUH greatly noticed the empowerment and economic education of his agents during his rule. The question is whether it is possible to identify the main components of his economic education system, including the goals, foundations and principles, through studying his narrational legacy and practical life. Analyzing the economic and educational content of Imam Ali's letters to his agents, this article identifies and classifies Imam’s foundations of economic education in the four categories of theology, ontology, anthropology, and axiology, and his educational goals in the three categories of managerial empowerment, trustworthiness, and balanced personality development. According to the results, the principles of Imam Ali’s economic education are extracted from his letters and are as follows: monotheism, resource management, supervision and control, responsibility, upholding rights, seeking justice and fighting against corruption, paying attention to the deprived and simplicity, preference of common interests over self-interests, freedom, moderation, patience and giving opportunities, and giving precedence to action over speech. A correct application of Imam's foundations and principles of education as a guide in educational planning, makes it possible to plan for an efficient and up-to-date method to achieve the goals of economic education in today's society.