و من كتاب له عليه السلام إلى أمرائه على الجيوش
من عبد الله علی بن ابیطالب امیر المومنین الى اصحاب المسالح اما بعد فان حقا على الوالی الا یغیره على رعیته فضل ناله و لا طول خص به و ان یزیده ما قسم الله له من نعمه دنوا من عباده و عطفا على اخوانه الا و ان لکم عندی الا احتجز دونکم سرا الا فی حرب و لا اطوی دونکم امرا الا فی حکم و لا اوخر لکم حقا عن محله و لا اقف به دون مقطعه و ان تکونوا عندی فی الحق سوا فاذا فعلت ذلک وجبت لله علیکم النعمه و لی علیکم الطاعه و ان لا تنکصوا عن دعوه و لا تفرطوا فی صلاح و ان تخوضوا الغمرات الى الحق فان انتم لم تستقیموا لی على ذلک لم یکن احد اهون علی ممن اعوج منکم ثم اعظم له العقوبه و لا یجد عندی فیها رخصه فخذوا هذا من امرائکم و اعطوهم من انفسکم ما یصلح الله به امرکم و السلام
A Letter from Imam Ali (a.s)
[A circular to the chiefs of his army.]
This is circular-letter from the creature of Allah, Ali bin Abi Taalib (a) to the chiefs of army and generals of his cantonments.
It is incumbent upon the chiefs of the State that their status and prestige should not make them change their attitude towards the subjects of the State; instead, the favours which the Lord has granted them should draw them nearer to the people and should make them more sympathetic towards them.
My duty towards you is that, except the secrets of war, I do not keep anything pertaining to the affairs of the State hidden from you. Barring religious questions in all other matters concerning your welfare, I should take you in my confidence and seek your advice, I should guard your interests and rights to the best of my ability, I should see that you are well-protected and well-looked after and I should treat all of you equally without any favouritism. If you receive such favourable treatment from me then it is your duty to thank Allah for His Kindness. Your obedience to me is that you follow the orders given, be good and bravely face difficulties to attain the right path. If you cannot maintain this standard of fidelity and do not behave yourself then you will lose the straight path of virtue and nobody will be lower in my eyes than you. I shall then punish you severely.
You should make your subordinate officers promise to act accordingly and should give them the same facilities and privileges as are given to you so that your affairs also run smoothly.