Advice ‘Amir al Mu’minin, to his servant

28. Ali Bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Yunus, from one of his companions, who has said: Abu Abdullah عليه الصلاة والسلام has reported that ‘A slave of Amir-ul-Momineen عليه الصلاة والسلام asked him عليه الصلاة والسلام for some wealth, so he عليه الصلاة والسلام said: ‘When my عليه الصلاة والسلام share comes to me عليه الصلاة والسلام I عليه الصلاة والسلام will distribute it to you’. He said, ‘I am not content’, and he went to Muawiya who gave it to him. So he wrote to Amir-ul-Momineen عليه الصلاة والسلام informing him عليه الصلاة والسلام of what he had received from the wealth. So Amir-ul-Momineen عليه الصلاة والسلام wrote to him: ‘Thereafter, that which is in your hand from the wealth, there used to be an owner for it before you, and it will get transferred to its (next) owner after you, but what is for you from it is what you pave the way for yourself (for the Hereafter). So prefer yourself over the correction of your children, for what you have gathered is for one of the two men - for a man who works in it by the obedience to Allah عز وجل so he is fortunate with what he receives from you, and as for a man who works in it by the disobedience to Allah عز وجل so he is unfortunate by what you have gathered for him, and there is none from these two who is deserving of being preferred over yourself, and do not place a burden upon your back. So be hopeful of the Mercy of Allah عز وجل for what has past, and place your trust in the sustenance from Allah عز وجل for what remains (of your life)’.