( 40 )
hands of others and in the house of your enemy. Know that the best
looking eye is that whose sight catches virtue and know that the best hearing
ear is that which hears good advice and accepts it.
About the functions of the Imams
O' people secure light from the flame of lamps of the preacher who follows
what he preaches and draw water from the spring which has been cleaned of dirt.
O' creatures of Allah do not rely on your ignorance do not be obedient to
your desires because he who stays at this place is like one who stays on the
brink of a bank undermined by water carrying ruin on his back from one portion
to the other following his opinion which he changes (one after the other). He
wants to make adhere what cannot adhere and to bring together what cannot keep
together. So fear Allah and do not place your complaints before him who cannot
redress your grievance nor undo with his opinion what has been made obligatory
for you.
Certainly there is no obligation on the Imam except what has been devolved on
him from Allah namely to convey warnings to exert in good advice to revive the
sunnah to enforce penalties on those liable to them and to issue shares to the
deserving. So hasten towards knowledge before its vegetation dries up and before
you turn yourselves away from seeking knowledge from those who have it. Desist
others from the unlawful and abstain from it yourself because you have been
commanded to abstain (yourself) before abstaining (others).
* * * * *
|