Instructions to Ibn Abbas upon his appointment as the governor of Basra
Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 2|Chapter 76
Nahj al-Balāgha
Book 2, Chapter 76
Instructions to Ibn Abbas upon his appointment as the governor of Basra
3 hadithsومن وصية له (عليه السلام) لعبد الله بن العباس عند استخلافه إياه على البصرة
Given to ‘Abdullāh ibn al-‘Abbās at the time of his appointment as his Governor of Baṣrah.
سَعِ النَّاسَ بِوَجْهِكَ وَمَجْلِسِكَ وَحُكْمِكَ، وإِيَّاكَ وَالْغَضَبَ فَإِنَّهُ طَيْرَةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ.
Meet people with a broad face, allow them free audience and pass generous orders. Avoid anger because it is a augury of Satan.
وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَا قَرَّبَكَ مِنَ اللهِ يُبَاعِدُكَ مِنْ النَّارِ، وَمَا بَاعَدَكَ مِنَ اللهِ يُقَرِّبُكَ مِنَ النَّارِ.
Remember that whatever takes you near Allāh takes you away from the Fire (of Hell), and whatever takes you away from Allāh takes you near the Fire.