Imam Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

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Beware! Fear God when dealing with problem of the poor who have none to patronize, who are forlorn, indigent, and helpless and are greatly torn in mind – victims to the vicissitudes of Time.Among them, there are some who do not question their lot in life and who notwithstanding their misery, do not go about begging. For God’s sake, safeguard their rights; for on you rests the responsibility of protection. Assign for their uplift a portion of the state exchequer (Baitul­mal), wherever they may be, whether close at band or far away from you. The rights of the two should be equal in your eye.DoRead More →

Imam Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

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In: Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Meet the oppressed and the lowly periodically in an open conference and conscious of the divine presence there, have a heart-to-heart talk with them, and let none from your guard or civil officers or members of the police or the Intelligence Department be by your side, so that the representative of the poor might state their grievances fearlessly and without reserve, for I have heard the Prophet of God saying that “no nation or society will occupy a high position in which the strong do not discharge their duty to the weak.”Bear with composure any strong language which they may use, and do not getRead More →

Imam Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

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In: Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib

And then do not forget to set apart the best of your time for communion with God, although every moment of yours is for Him only, provided it is spent sincerely in the service of your people. The special time that you give to prayer in the strict religions sense is to be devoted to the performance of the prescribed daily prayers. Keep yourself engaged in these prayers both in the day and in the might, and to gain perfect communion, do not, as far as possible, make your prayers grow tiresome.And when you lead in congregational prayer, do not let your prayer be soRead More →

Imam Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

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In: Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Alongside of the observance of all that I have said above, bear one thing in mind. Never for any length of time keep yourself aloof from the people, for to do so is to keep oneself ignorant of their affairs. It develops in the ruler a wrong perspective and render him unable to distinguish between what is important and what is not, between right and wrong, and between truth and falsehood. The ruler is after all human; and he cannot form a correct view of anything which is out of sight.There is no distinctive sign attached to truth which may enable one to distinguish betweenRead More →

Imam Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

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In: Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib

Bear in mind that you do not throw away the offer of peace which your enemy may himself make. Accept it, for, that will please God. Peace is a source of comfort to the army; it reduces your worries and promotes order in the State. But Beware! Be on your guard when the peace is signed; for, certain types of enemies propose terms of peace just to lull you into a sense of security only to attack you again when you are off your guard. So you should exercise the utmost vigilance on your part, and place no undue faith in their protestations. But, ifRead More →