By the grace of Allah I am not like this so do not address...

By the grace of Allah I am not like this so do not address me in the manner tyrrants are addressed, and do not be discreet of me as you do the people of passion and do not associate with me with flattery and do not think I find it heavy if a true thing is said to me, as that who feels disgusted when a truth is said to him or justice is placed before him he would find it more difficult to act upon them!

Do not, so, abstain from saying a truth or pointing out justice since I do not regard myself above erring. Peace Is Prior When Imam’s companions showed impatience on his delay in giving them permission to fight in Siffin Well, as for your saying is all this (delay) is due to a hatred of death!?

Then by Allah I do not care whether I proceed towards death or death advances towards me as for you saying that it may be due to my suspicious about the people of Al-Sham, well, by Allah, I did not put off war even for a day except in the hope that some group may join me, find guidance through me and see my light with their weak eyes. This is dearer to me than killing them in the state of their misguidance although they draw on themselves the burden of their sins.

The Honourable Instruction Given to the army before the encoun-ter with the enemy at Siffin Do not fight them unless they begin the fighting, because, by the grace of Allah, you have a plea that you are in the right and to leave them till they begin fighting will be another plea in your side against them.

If, by the will of Allah, the enemy is defeated then do not kill a run away, do not strike a helpless person, do not finish off a wounded person, and do not excite women by any harm even though they may attack your honour with filthy words and abuse your officers! O’ my Allah! Save the Victor From Excesses When imam decided to fight the enemy at Siffin O’ my Allah!

The God of this earth which Thou has made it an abode for people and a place for the movement of insects and beasts and countless other creatures seen and unseen and The God of strong mountains which Thou hast made as pegs for the earth and a shelter for creatures. If Thou givest us victory over our enemy, save us from excesses and keep us on the straight path of truth. But if Thou givest them victory over us, then grant us martyrdom and save us from misguiding. O’ my Allah!