Pearl of Wisdom
in a letter he wrote to al-Ashtar when he made him governor of Egypt, said, '...Then choose for judgment between people the best of your subjects, who are of excellent character and high calibre and for whom no issue or case is hard. They must not lose their temper, disputes should not let him fall astray they should not exceed in their mistakes, and when the truth is made clear to them they should not hesitate to accept it [change their verdict]. They should not lean towards greed. They should not satisfy themselves with the lowest of understanding over the highest, they must be more precautious than anyone else in doubtful and ambiguous matters. They must attach the greatest importance to reasoning, arguments and proofs. They must exhibit the least annoyance at seeing the opponent, be the most patient in scanning details, and most serious in the issuing of a verdict when the matter is clear. The praisings of people should not deceive them. They should not be misled by flattery, but unfortunately such people are few. After you have selected such men to act as your judges, make it a point to go through some of their Judgments and to check their proceedings.'
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] Nahj al-Baldgha, Letter 53
|
|
Opening the Prayer |
 |
|
When you face the qiblah, you should despair of this world, what it contains of creation and what others are occupied with. Empty your heart of every preoccupation which might distract you from Allah. See the immensity of Allah with your innermost being, and remember that you will stand before Him. For Allah has said,
There shall every soul become acquainted with what it sent before, and they shall be brought back to Allah, their true Patron. (10:30)
Stand at the foot of fear and hope. When you recite the takbir, you should belittle what is between the high heavens and the moist earth, which are all below His glory, for when Allah looks into the heart of His bondsman while he is saying the takbir, and sees in his heart something obstructing the truth of his declaring that Allah is great, He says, 'O liar! Do you try to deceive Me?
By My might and My majesty, I will deny you the sweetness of My remembrance, and I will veil you from My nearness and from joy in My intimate communion.'
Know that Allah does not need your service. He is independent of you, your worship and your supplication. He summons you by His favour to show you mercy, to put you far from His punishment, to spread some of the blessings of His kindness over you, to guide you to the path of His pleasure, and to open to you the door of His forgiveness. If Allah had created what He created in the universe many times over, forever without end, it would still be the same to Allah whether they all rejected Him or united with Him. All that He has from the worship of creatures is the display of His generosity and power. Therefore make modesty your cloak and incapacity your shawl. Enter under the throne of the power of Allah, and you will capture the benefits of His lordship, seeking help in Him and asking for His succour.
|
|
