Imam Ali's Advice to Malek (Part 4)

Never Tyrannize the Servants of God

I swear by God if I remain wakeful at night by standing on the prick of Sa'adan while my hands and feet have been shackled and pulled over the pricks and brushwood in the desert, I consider this act more favorable than meeting God and His Messenger on the Day of Resurrection while I have tyrannized some of the servants of God or usurped some things of worldly things. How can I do tyranny to one who is growing old fast and moving towards death and has to stay long days under the soil?[1] Do you want me gain victory by doing oppression? Thank God that as long as difference of night and day exists and as long as stars move pursuing each other I will not do such a thing; if public treasury was mine I would distribute equally among the people while it belongs to God. Know that forgiveness of property to one who is not deserving of it is undue and prodigality. …[2]

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 (A.S).

Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi

Notes:

[1] Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 27.

[2] Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 27.

Other links:‌

Imam Ali’s Advice to Malek in Selecting Officials

Criteria of Rightful and Unlawful Leadership (Part 4)