Imam Ali's Advice to Malek (Part 1)
Malek and Characteristics of a Righteous Leader
Malek, appoint one who entertains God's majesty in one's heart and appreciates His esteem, it is appropriate to denigrate greatness of other than Him. … Verily, the meanest states of rulers in the sight of benevolent people is to conjecture them to be loving vanity and pride and presuming them to be self-admirer and loving you to eulogize them. Thank God that I am not a man of this ilk.[1]
If the authority in which you are placed produces pride or vanity in you then look at the greatness of the realm of Allah over you and His might the like of which might you do not even possess over yourself. This will curb your haughtiness, cure you of your high temper and bring back to you your wisdom which had gone away from you.[2]
Sympathy and compassion to people, particularly to deprived classes of society, provide that habituate to your heart to mercy for the subjects and to affection and kindness for them. Do not stand over them like greedy beasts who feel it is enough to devour them, since they are of two kinds, either your brothers in religion or one like you in creation. So, extend to them your forgiveness and pardon to you.
Humble servitude, gratification, content, courage, eloquence, moderation, perseverance and diligence, resistance, hard-working, futurism, resolution, strong will, power to make decision in battle and judgment, sincerity and truthfulness in thought and words and deeds and … are among features of a leader in society while all the munificence had been found in the sacred existence of the Commander of the Believers Imam Ali (AS).[3]
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Note:
[1] Nahjul Balaghah, letter 53.
[2] Nahjul Balaghah, letter 53.
[3] Nahjul Balaghah, letter 53.
Other links:
Imam Ali’s Advice to Malek in Selecting Officials
Freedom in Precept of Imam Ali (A.S)
