Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt

Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 2|Chapter 53
Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 2, Chapter 53

Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt

وَأَلْزِمِ الْحَقَّ مَنْ لَزِمَهُ مِنَ الْقَرِيبِ وَالْبَعِيدِ، وَكُنْ فِي ذَلِكَ صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً، وَاقِعاً ذَلِكَ مِنْ قَرَابَتِكَ خَاصَّتِكَ حَيْثُ وَقَعَ، وَابْتَغِ عَاقِبَتَهُ بِمَا يَثْقُلُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُ، فَإِنَّ مَغَبَّةَ ذَلِكَ مَحْمُودَةٌ.
Allow rights to whomsoever it is due, whether near you or far from you. In this matter, you should be enduring and watchful even though it may involve your relations and favourites, and keep in view the reward of that which appears burdensome on you because its reward is handsome.