Peace, one and all…
When writing to one of his provincial governors, Imam Ali (may God ennoble his countenance) said:
‘Infuse your heart with mercy for the subjects, love for them and kindness towards them. Be not like a ravenous beast of prey above them, seeking to devour them. For they are of two types: either your brother in religion or your like in creation. Mistakes slip from them, defects emerge from them, deliberately or accidentally. So bestow upon them your forgiveness and your pardon, just as you would have God bestow upon you His forgiveness and pardon; for you are above them, and the one who has authority over you is above you, and God is above him who appointed you … and through them He tests you’
(Taken from Nahj al-Balaghah)
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
July 3, 2008 at 10:40 pm
“…and through them He tests you”
as always dearest Abdur, simply beautiful!
July 4, 2008 at 7:42 am
Thank you for this, it’s a lesson I am still in the process of learning, and your post helped.
July 4, 2008 at 9:28 am
Salaams Barbara,
This is a beautiful and profound saying of Imam Ali. May God ennoble his countenance.
July 4, 2008 at 9:29 am
Peace Mereth,
Allah! I know just what you mean!