The qualifications of a governor and his responsibilities Then...

The qualifications of a governor and his responsibilities Then, know, O Malik, that I have sent you to an area where there have been governments before you, both just as well as oppressive. People will now watch your dealings as you used to watch the dealings of the rulers before you, and they (people) will criticise you as you criticised them (rulers). Surely, the virtuous are known by the reputation that Allah circulates for them through the tongues of His creatures.

Therefore, the best collection with you should be the collection of good deeds. So, control your passions and check your heart from doing what is not lawful for you, because checking the heart means detaining it just half way between what it likes and dislikes.

ثُمَّ اعْلَمْ يَا مَالكُ، أَنِّي قدْ وَجَّهْتُكَ إِلَى بِلاَد قَدْ جَرَتْ عَلَيْهَا دُوَلٌ قَبْلَكَ، مِنْ عَدْل وَجَوْر، وَأَنَّ النَّاسَ يَنْظُرُونَ مِنْ أُمُورِكَ فِى مِثْلِ مَا كُنْتَ تَنْظُرُ فِيهِ مِنْ أُمُورِ الْوُلاَةِ قَبْلَكَ، وَيَقُولُونَ فِيكَ مَا كُنْتَ تَقُولُ فِيهِمْ،إِنَّمَا يُسْتَدَلُّ عَلَى الصَّالِحِينَ بِمَا يُجْرِي اللهُ لَهُمْ عَلَى أَلْسُنِ عِبَادِهِ.

فَلْيَكُنْ أَحَبَّ الذَّخَائِرِ إِلَيْكَ ذَخِيرَةُ الْعَمَلِ الصَّالِحِ، فَامْلِكْ هَوَاكَ، وَشُحَّ بِنَفْسِكَ عَمَّا لاَ يَحِلُّ لَكَ، فَإِنَّ الشُّحَّ بِالنَّفْسِ الاْنْصَافُ مِنْهَا فَيَما أَحْبَبْتَ وَكَرِهْتَ. Habituate your heart to mercy for the subjects and to affection and kindness for them. Do not stand over them like greedy beasts who feel it is enough to devour them, since they are of two kinds, either your brother in religion or one like you in creation.

They will commit slips and encounter mistakes. They may act wrongly, wilfully or by neglect. So, extend to them your forgiveness and pardon, in the same way as you would like Allah to extend His forgiveness and pardon to you, because you are over them and your responsible Commander (Imam) is over you while Allah is over him who has appointed you. He (Allah) has sought you to manage their affairs and has tried you through them.

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