Were it not for the obedience (to you), then we would have might and protection.

Were it not for the obedience (to you), then we would have might and protection. If you removed him from us, we would be grateful to you; otherwise, we would make you know. Her speech depressed Mu’awiya, and he said to her: “You are threatening me with your people. I have decided to carry you on a coarse saddle (of a camel) and to return you to him, that he may carry out his judgment on you.” She bowed her head and wept.

She became broken-hearted, so she said: ‘Allah blessed a body that a grave contained, so justice has been buried in it. He allied the truth and he wanted nothing other than it. So he has been coupled with the truth and faith.’ -Who is that? -Ali bin Abi Talib. -What did he do to you so that he has become so to you? -I came to him regarding a man he had appointed (as a governor) over our alms. There was between him and me that which was between the thin and the fat.

So I came to Ali (a.s) to complain to him of what the man had done. I found him standing and praying. When he looked at me, he ended his prayer. Then he said to me with mercy and kindness: “Do you have a need?” I told him about the story. He wept, and then he said: “O Allah, You are the witness against me and them that I have not commanded them to wrong Your creatures nor have I commanded them to leave Your right.” Then he took out of his pocket a piece like the edge of a sheath.

He wrote on it: “In the name of Allah, the Most gracious, the Most merciful. Clear proof indeed has come to you from your Lord; therefore, give full measure and weight and do not diminish to men their things, and do not make mischief in the land. What remains with Allah is better for you if you are believers, and I am not a keeper over you. When you read my letter, then keep our work that is in your hands until the one who will take it from you come to you.

With Greetings.” I took the letter from him. By Allah, he did not stamp it with clay nor did he tie it with a belt. Mu’awiya was astonished at such a kind of justice. So he said: “Write to him to treat her with justice and fairness.” However, she said: -For me in particular or for my people in general? -What is the relationship between you and other than you? -Therefore, by Allah, that is lewdness and meanness if it is not exclusive justice. Otherwise, I am just like the rest of my people.

-How far! Ali bin Abi Talib, who listened to your complaints, had boldness.