Imam Ali’s Letter to Malik Al Ashtar (19)
Malik_al_Ashtar was one of the especial companions of Imam_Ali a.s and one of the powerful leaders of Iraq. He was one of the commanders of the army of Imam ‘Ali (a) who was forethoughtful in politics and strong in battle. He participated in the Battle of Jamal and the Battle of Siffin and eventually he was appointed by Imam ‘Ali (pbuh) as governor_general in Egypt.
However, he was martyred before arriving to Egypt.
The famous treaty of Malik al-Ashtar is a letter that Imam ‘Ali wrote to him while he was in Egypt.
READ ALSO: Imam Ali’s Letter to Malik Al Ashtar (18)
Part 19
Aloofness not Desirable
Alongside the observance of all that I have said, bear one thing in mind. Never, for any length of #time, keep yourself aloof from the people, for to do so is to keep oneself ignorant of their affairs. It develops in the ruler a wrong perspective and renders him unable to distinguish between what is important and what is not, between right and wrong, and between truth and falsehood.
The ruler is after all human, and he cannot form a correct view of anything which is out of sight.
There is no distinctive sign attached to truth which may enable one to distinguish between the different varieties of truth and falsehood. The fact is that you must be one of two things. Either you are just or unjust. If you are just, then you will not keep yourself away from the people, but will listen to them and meet their requirements. But, if you are unjust, the people themselves will keep way from you.
What virtue is there in your keeping aloof? At all events aloofness is not desirable, especially when it is your duty to attend to the needs of the people. Complaints of oppression by your officers or petitions for justice should not prove irksome to you.
READ ALSO: Imam Ali’s Letter to Malik Al Ashtar (16)
Make this clear to yourself that those immediately about and around you, will like to exploit their position to covet what belongs to others and commit acts of injustice. Suppress such a tendency in them.
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