Advice to a Companion
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following is extracted from Sayyidina ‘Ali ibn Abu Thalib’s ( k.w. ), letter to Sayyidina Malik ibn al-Harits al-Ashtar an-Nakha’i ( r.a. ), taken from Nahj al-Balaghah . “Do not rush to do a thing before its time has arrived, and do not delay it once the right moment is upon you. Do not insist on doing that which is known to be wrong, and do not show reluctance to put right that which you know to be wrong. Carry out each action at the proper time and let everything occupy its proper place. When the people as a whole reach agreement upon a matter, do not impose your own will on them, and do not fail to discharge your responsibilities towards them. For the people will be watching you, and you are answerable for whatever you do to them; the slightest act of negligence or dereliction of duty will bring its own retribution. Keep your anger under control and keep your hands and your tongue in check. Wh...