The Rule of Ruthlessness

nasiraijaz October 3, 2025

0 42 5 minutes read

Systems based on terror collapse the moment their leader reveals any signs of weakness because they require ongoing enforcement

There have been many cruel rulers and tyrants throughout history who met their untimely ends at the hands of their subjects or were murdered

Ali Lashari

Rather than being a set of hard and fast rules, the “Rule of Ruthlessness” refers to an overarching strategic philosophy or approach that places the attainment of an objective ahead of every other aspect of life, including social, moral, and sentimental ones.

In this article, we will examine the “Rule of Ruthlessness” and its key points, as well as its practical uses and major drawbacks. It’s a way of thinking that promotes taking absolutely necessary, unwavering steps to guarantee one’s success, triumph, or survival.

Fundamental Concept: The Goals Should Cover the Methods

The essential principle of the rule is an extreme application of the phrase Machiavellian “the ends justify the means.” Opponents can take advantage of adherents’ hesitancy, mercy, empathy, or justice, according to adherents. Thus, in order to accomplish a goal, one needs to be prepared to:

Put an end to any feelings of sympathy, remorse, allegiance, or love that might influence your decision-making.
To get ahead, you need to take advantage of any advantage you can get your hands on, including other people’s flaws.
Get rid of wasteful processes, ineffective allies, or even old friends without feeling sorry for them; this includes cutting ties if necessary.
Do not hesitate; instead, move swiftly and definitively, regardless of how severe the consequence.

The following “rule” is brought up in many places:

Machiavelli’s Way and the Philosophy of Power

The Prince (1513) is the most famous work of Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance diplomat and political thinker who lived from 1469 to 1527. Instead of following in the moral or philosophical footsteps of his predecessors, his ideology is based on the actual use of political power.

Studying politics should focus on the reality rather than ideals.
Realistically, leaders must face human nature: that individuals are selfish, impulsive, and motivated by desire and fear.
If it ensures the stability of the state, a ruler may resort to cruelty, manipulation, or deceit.
Political necessity takes precedence over moral principles.
The virtue of a leader is their power, cunning, and capacity to influence the course of events.
Fortuna: A component of chance, destiny, or good fortune.
By being well-prepared and taking courageous actions, a great leader may manipulate fate.

To sum up, Machiavelli’s Way is a pragmatic, strategic, and survival-based art of power, where the measure of legitimacy is success.

One distinct philosophy of power was exemplified by Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), the fourth Caliph of Islam, who was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as an example of humility, intelligence, bravery, and justice. This philosophy was based on justice, ethics, spirituality, and service to humanity. By prioritizing honesty, fairness, and accountability over self-interest, his theory of power provides a moral contrast to Machiavellian ideology.

Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA): The Way and Philosophy of Power

Establishing Power through Justice. “Tyranny exists when there is no justice.”
The foundation of genuine leadership, according to Hazrat Ali, is adl, or fairness.
Everyone, regardless of their wealth or religious affiliation, should be treated fairly by their rulers.
Responsibility and Service; Amanah (trust), not privilege, is what makes a leader.
The people and Allah hold a king to account.
While in government, he exhibited humility by living frugally and refusing to indulge in luxury.
Honesty and Reliability; Hazrat Ali emphasized that telling the truth is paramount, regardless of the political cost, in contrast to Machiavelli’s embrace of dishonesty.
“You must be just even if you hate some people.”
Bravery while showing compassion, despite his reputation as a kind and forgiving warrior, Hazrat Ali was known as the “Lion of Allah” in combat.
His view of power was a delicate balancing act between aggression and empathy.
Knowledge, he said, is the ultimate weapon.
Intellect, vision, and consultation (shura) are prominent themes in his sermons collected in Nahj al-Balagha.
Achieving Social Justice and Equality, even when urged to do so by those closest to him, Hazrat Ali firmly rejected favoritism and nepotism.
Everyone benefited from the economy, and the public coffers (Bayt al-Mal) were protected.

Important Points from Philosophy of Power

Authority is a sacred trust; it should not be used for selfish purposes.
There can be no compromise on justice; a ruler must maintain objectivity.
Superior to dominance are modesty and service.
An authority’s credibility is bolstered by its moral integrity.
Leadership is truly a combination of strength and compassion.
For Islamic political ethics, Hazrat Ali’s rule is an exemplar.
In contrast to Machiavelli’s view of power as a means to an end (survival), Hazrat Ali viewed power as a sacred trust to fulfil in order to bring glory to God.
Globally, politicians, academics, and reformers are inspired by his harmony of faith, fairness, and bravery.

Contrasted with more pragmatic or manipulative conceptions of power, Hazrat Ali’s theory of leadership centers on serving others, balancing authority with humility, and promoting justice.

Commercial and Strategic

A brutal strategy in highly competitive business settings could include:

Aggressive purchases that demolish competitive enterprises.
Eliminating whole divisions in order to increase short-term profits for shareholders.
Using strong incentives to lure away important employees from competitors.
Putting profit before worker safety or ethical production.

Warfare & Geopolitics

Carl von Clausewitz and Sun Tzu are only two of many military thinkers who have argued that ruthlessness is an important strategic tool.
Swiftly breaking the enemy’s will through the use of overwhelming force.
A tactic that has been around since Genghis Khan’s time—making an example out of defectors or captured cities in order to discourage further resistance.
Going to full-scale war means destroying civilian infrastructure in an effort to weaken the enemy’s defenses.
Reverse Perspective: Ruthlessness’s Dangers
Cruelty may work in the here and now, but it never ends and usually backfires in the grand scheme of things.
Breaking Trust: Being ruthless causes relationships to deteriorate. Ruthless people are untrustworthy. Allies will be fleeting, driven solely by financial gain or terror, and not by any sense of devotion. A delicate electricity network is therefore established.
The creation of devoted, bitter enemies is a direct result of acting brutally. When you hurt, betray, or crush someone, they will wait for a chance to get even.
Loss of humanity brought about by moral erosion occurs when objectives are consistently put ahead of ethics. Even if they succeed, they will transform into a monster and lose touch with what truly matters in life: meaningful connections, respect, and self-worth.
Short-Term Gains at the Cost of Long-Term Success: If you have a reputation for being brutal, you may never be able to build the kind of relationships and alliances that will keep you successful in the long run. Businesses will stay away from you.
There have been many cruel rulers and tyrants throughout history who met their untimely ends at the hands of their subjects or were murdered. Systems based on terror collapse the moment their leader reveals any signs of weakness because they require ongoing enforcement.

Finishing Thoughts: A Resource, Not a Law

Rather than being an actual code of conduct, the “Rule of Ruthlessness” serves as a cautionary tale. When used strategically, it can provide you a short-term edge in a zero-sum game. At its core, it is a harmful and lonely way of life. A combination of skill, strategic thought, and most importantly, the capacity to instill true trust and loyalty is usually what it takes to build true, long-lasting power and success. The price of ruthlessness is frequently the achiever’s own humanity and legacy, hence it should be utilized with great discretion, if at all.

Read: The forgotten ruthlessness of Canada’s Great War soldiers

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Ali Lashari is Assistant Director (Excavation & Exploration), Directorate of Archaeology & Antiquities Wing, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, Government of Sindh.