John Shaqi

وَإِنْ ظَنَّتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ بِكَ حَيْفاً، فَأَصْحِرْ لَهُمْ بِعُذْرِكَ، وَاعْدِلْ عَنكَ ظُنُونَهُمْ بِإِصْحَارِكَ، فَإِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ رِيَاضَةً مِنْكَ لِنَفْسِكَ، وَرِفْقاً بِرَعِيَّتِكَ، وَ إِعْذَاراً تَبْلُغُ بِهِ حَاجَتَكَ مِنْ تَقْوِيمِهِمْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ.


Translation

If the subjects suspect you of high-handedness, explain to them your position openly and remove their suspicion with your explanation, because this would mean exercise for your soul and consideration to the subjects while this explanation will secure your aim of keeping them firm in truth.


Chapter (Bab)Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt
CollectionNahj al-Balagha

Compiled by al-Sharif al-Radi

Source

License: Free for educational and research use (Thaqalayn Data API)

Provided for research and educational purposes. Original source: Thaqalayn Project. Open License.