Imam Al-Sadiq

understood what you have mentioned and asked about. You have claimed that you have been
inflected by the State of al- Ahwaz. So, that has delighted me and grieved me. As for my
delight at your ruling, I have said: May Allah help and strengthen with you a grieved (person)
from the supporters of the Family. And as for my grief, I am afraid that you might mistreat a
support of us, so you will not obtain the mercy of the Holy Being (Allah).
I am going to summarize to you all what you have asked about. If you put them into effect
and do not exceed them, I hope you shall be saved, Allah willing My father told me on the
authority of his grandfathers on the authority of 'Ali b. Abu Talib, peace be on them, on the
authority of the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: 'Whomever
his believing brother asks the advice of him but does not show him sincere advice, Allah
deprives him of his intellect. Know that I am going to advise you. If you put my advice into
effect, you will get rid of what you are afraid of. Know that you are able to accomplish your
rescue and your salvation when you refrain from shedding blood and harming the supporters
of Allah, through treating subjects kindly, with patience and good friendship, with leniency
without weakness and strength without violence. Complying with the moods of your
companion and his messengers who come to you, and treat your subjects according to justice
and inquity, Allah willing.
Beware of slanderers, do not let anyone cleave to you, do not let Allah see you accepting
(their words) absolutely, while you do not do justice to people. So, Allah will be angry with
you and disgrace you. As for him whom you rely on, satisfied with, and entrust with to carry
out your affairs should be experienced, clear- sighted trustee, He should agree with you on
your religion, know your subjects, and try the two parties. So, if you find such a person, then
depend on him.
Be careful not to give even a dirham or take off a garment in the manner that displeases Allah
to a poet, a comedian, and a joker, in this condition you should give the same (sum of many)
to please Allah.
Your prizes, bonuses, and robes of honor should be given to leaders, messengers, grandsons,
postmen, the police, and the collectors of Chomps (fifth). As for the money which you want
to spend in the fields of righteousness, success, generosity, alms, hajj, drinking water, the
garment you use during prayers, and the gift which you offer for Allah, the Great and
Almighty and for his Apostle, my Allah bless him and his family, should be from your most
lawful earn.
Abd Allah, spare no effort to avoid hoarding up gold and silver so as not to be among those
about whom Allah, the Great and Almighty, says: 'And (as for) those who hoard up gold and
silver and do not spend it in Allah's way.'
Do not regard as little those remnants of food. Spend them to full the empty abdomens to