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The Epistle
In the Name of God, the All-merciful, the Ever-merciful
Be it known to you, O, Maalik that I am sending you as Governor
to a country, which in the past
(1) According to Nahj al-BalĒghah (Al-Shar¢f al-Ra¤i's
compilation of ImĒm “Ali's words, letters, and sermons), the epistle begins with
the following statements:
Document of instruction written by ImĒm “Ali for MĒlik al-Ashtar
al-Nakh“i when he appointed him as the governor of Egypt and the surrounding
areas after the position of Mu¦ammad ibn Abi Bakr, had become precarious:
This is the longest document and contains the greatest number of
beautiful sayings.
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
This is what AllĒh's servant Ali, Am¢r al-Mu“min¢n, has ordered
MĒlik ibn al-°Ērith al-Ashtar in his instrument (of appointment) for him when he
made him Governor of Egypt for the collection of its revenues, fighting against
its enemies, seeking the good of its people and making its cities prosperous.
He has ordered him to fear AllĒh, to prefer obedience to Him,
and to follow what He has commanded in His Book (the Holy Qur'Ēn) out of His
obligatory and elective commands, without following which one cannot achieve
virtue, nor (can one) be evil save by opposing and ignoring them, and to help
AllĒh the Glorified, with his heart, hand and tongue, because AllĒh whose name
is Sublime takes the responsibility of helping him who helps Him, and protecting
him who gives Him support.
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