عبد الله

From the servant of Allāh, Amīr al-mu’minīn to ‘Abdullāh ibn Qays:

“I have broken off from them, so you should break off from them too.”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Beware of these leaders who pretend to be leaders. I swear by Allah, shoes (people) have never marched behind a man, but that he destroys (them) and (he) is destroyed.”

“Do not swear at the king since he is God's Shade on the Earth. But ask God to improve the king since this will benefit you.”

“If a person brought up in his community commits sins and people do not punish him from his crimes, the first chastisement from Allah upon them is that their sustenance will be reduced.”

One of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s) asked him if they should pray for their brothers who work for the government. The Imam (a.s) asked him if there is any use in what they do for him. When he replied in the negative Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “I disavow myself of them, and so does God.”

Allah says: If a creature of mine who recognizes Me disobeys Me, I will make one who does not recognize Me rule over him.

‘I was in the presence of Abu Abdullah (asws) when Muhammad Bin Abdullah came up and greeted, then went away. Abu Abdullah (asws) sympathised and tears flowed from his (asws) eyes. So I said to him (asws), ‘I saw you (asws) doing something what you never did for anyone before’. He (asws) said; ‘I (asws) sympathised for him because he will be established upon a command which is not for him. I (asws) did not find him in the Book of Ali (asws) from the Caliphs of this community, nor from its kings’.

From the servant of Allāh ‘Alī, Amīr al-mu’minīn to the tax collectors:

372. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said to Jābir ibn ‘Abdillāh al-Anṣārī:

To ‘Abdullāh ibn al-‘Abbās

From the servant of Allāh, ‘Alī Amīr al-mu’minīn to Mu‘āwiyah son of Abū Sufyān :

“Allah will destroy one who takes the command of Muslims and destroys it.”

From the servant of Allāh, ‘Alī, Amīr al-mu’minīn to the Officer-in-charge of garrisons :

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Stay away from governing, it is only for the Imam who has the knowledge of adjudication with justice among the Muslims. It is for a Prophet or Executor of the will of a Prophet.’”

The transgressing is the one who goes out against the Imam, and the hostile is the one who interrupts the road; to them, dead meat (of a non-slaughtered animal) is impermissible.

To ‘Abdullāh ibn al-‘Abbās, his Governor of Baṣrah

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Kings are the worst creatures because they always oppose those who seek their rights.”

To Jarīr ibn ‘Abdillāh al-Bajalī when Amīr al-mu’minīn sent him to Mu‘āwiyah (and there was delay in his return)

To ‘Abdullāh ibn al-‘Abbās (This letter has already been included with a different version)