Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha 1481

(About counsellors:) Do not include among those you consult a miser who would keep you back from being generous and caut…

Nahj al-Balagha 1482

The worst minister for you is he who has been a minister for mischievous persons before you, and who joined them in sins…

Nahj al-Balagha 1483

Associate yourself with God-fearing and truthful people; then educate them, so that they should not praise you or please…

Nahj al-Balagha 1484

The virtuous and the vicious should not be in equal position before you because this means dissuasion of the virtuous fr…

Nahj al-Balagha 1485

Do not discontinue the good lives in which the earlier people of this community had been acting, by virtue of which ther…

Nahj al-Balagha 1486

(The different classes of people:) Know that the people consist of classes who prosper only with the help of one another…

Nahj al-Balagha 1487

Now the army is, by the will of Allāh, the fortress of the subjects, the ornament of the ruler, the strength of the reli…

Nahj al-Balagha 1488

These two classes cannot exist without the third class namely the judges, the executives and the secretaries who pass ju…

Nahj al-Balagha 1489

Then is the lowest class of the needy and the destitute support of and help for whom is an obligation, and everyone of t…

Nahj al-Balagha 1490

(1. The Army) Put in command of your forces the man who in your view is the best well-wisher of Allāh, His Prophet and y…

Nahj al-Balagha 1491

Also associate with considerate people from high families, virtuous houses and decent traditions, then people of courage…

Nahj al-Balagha 1492

Strive for their matters as the parents strive for their child. Do not regard anything that you do to strengthen them as…

Nahj al-Balagha 1493

Do not neglect to attend to their small matters, confining yourself to their important matters, because your small favou…

Nahj al-Balagha 1494

That commander of the army should have such a position before you that he renders help to them equitably and spends from…

Nahj al-Balagha 1495

The most pleasant thing for the rulers is the establishment of justice in their areas and the manifestation of the love …

Nahj al-Balagha 1496

Appreciate the performance of every one of them, do not attribute the performance of one to the other, and do not minimi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1497

Refer to Allāh and His Prophet the affairs which worrry you and matters which appear confusing to you, because, addressi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1498

(2. The Chief Judge) For the settlement of disputes among people select him who is the most distinguished of your subjec…

Nahj al-Balagha 1499

Then, very often check his decisions and allow him so much money (as remuneration) that he has no excuse worth hearing (…

Nahj al-Balagha 1500

(3. Executive Officers) Thereafter, look into the affairs of your executives. Give them appointment after tests and do n…