Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha 1521

(On the behaviour and action of a Ruler:) Then, do not keep yourself secluded from the people for a long time, because t…

Nahj al-Balagha 1522

Then you can be one of two kinds of men. Either you may be generous in granting rights - and then why this hiding in spi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1523

Further, a governor has favourites and people of easy access to him. They misappropriate things, are high-handed and do …

Nahj al-Balagha 1524

Do not make any land grants to your hangers on or supporters. They should not expect from you the possession of land whi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1525

Allow rights to whomsoever it is due, whether near you or far from you. In this matter, you should be enduring and watch…

Nahj al-Balagha 1526

If the subjects suspect you of high-handedness, explain to them your position openly and remove their suspicion with you…

Nahj al-Balagha 1527

Do not reject peace to which your enemy may call you and wherein there is the pleasure of Allāh, because peace brings re…

Nahj al-Balagha 1528

If you conclude an agreement between yourself and your enemy or enter into a pledge with him then fulfil your agreement …

Nahj al-Balagha 1529

Allāh made His agreement and pledged the sign of security which He has spread over His creatures through His mercy and a…

Nahj al-Balagha 1530

You should avoid shedding blood without justification, because nothing is more inviting of Divine retribution, greater i…

Nahj al-Balagha 1531

You cannot offer any excuse before Allāh or before me for wilful killing because there must be the question of revenge i…

Nahj al-Balagha 1532

You should avoid self-admiration, having reliance in what appears good in yourself and love of exaggerated praise becaus…

Nahj al-Balagha 1533

Avoid showing (the existence of) obligation on your subjects for having done good to them or praising your own actions o…

Nahj al-Balagha 1534

Avoid haste in matters before their time, slowness at their proper time, insistence on them when the propriety of action…

Nahj al-Balagha 1535

Do not appropriate to yourself that in which the people have an equal share, nor be regardless of matters which have com…

Nahj al-Balagha 1536

Have control over (your) sense of prestige, any outburst of anger, the might of your arm and the sharpness of your tongu…

Nahj al-Balagha 1537

It is necessary for you to recall how matters went with those who preceded you, be it a government or a great tradition …

Nahj al-Balagha 1538

I ask Allāh through the extent of His mercy and the greatness of His power of giving a good inclination that He may prom…

Nahj al-Balagha 1539

To Ṭalḥah and az-Zubayr (through ‘Imrān ibn al-Ḥuṣayn al-Khuzā‘ī [1]).

Nahj al-Balagha 1540

Abū Ja‘far al-Iskāfī has mentioned this in his “Kitāb al-maqāmāt” on the excellent qualities (manāqib) of Amīr al-mu’min…