Nahj Al-Balagha - Letters

Letters

Nahj al Balagha also contains a collection of 79 letters, including letters to Muawiyah I. The following is a short summary to each letter, relevant quotes have been used out of the original letters.

• Letter 1, Sent to the people of Kufa, before Ali proceeded to Basra for the Battle of Bassorah
• Letter 2, Sent to the people of Kufa after the victory at the Battle of Bassorah.
• Letter 3, to Shuray bin Harith, Chief Judge (Qadi) of Kufa, after Shuray purchased a very expensive house (which did not suit a Qadi's lifestyle).
• Letter 4, A Letter to one of the commanders of his army.
• Letter 5, A letter to Ash'ath ibn Qays.
• Letter 6, To Muawiyah I considering the election in which Ali became Caliph.
• Letter 7, Muawiyah I had been sending Ali letters giving him hypocritical advice and falsely accusing him. Letter 7 was reply to Muawiya's false accusations on Ali.
• Letter 8, Jarir ibn Abdullah Bajali (a companion of Ali) was sent by Ali to Damascus to deliver a letter to Muawiyah I. Some delay occurred in Jarir's return which made Ali worried about his safety. Ali wrote this letter to Jarir, in this letter he told Jarir to force Muawiyah I to reply to Ali's previous letter giving a final answer; Peace (in which case Muawiyah I would have to swear oath of allegiance to Ali) or War.
• Letter 9, Another letter to Muawiyah I, in which Ali told Muawiyah I that he (Muawiyah) had done nothing for Islam while he (Ali) had devoted his whole life to Islam. In it Ali mentions that he has no comparison with Muawiyah; "In Islam there is no rank, no honour, no position and no merit for him as it is for me".
• Letter 10, Ali reminds Muawiyah I that all his wealth is only in this World and would not help in the hereafter; "The possessions, the riches and the luxuries that you have surrounded yourself with, belong to this World …".
• Letter 11, Instructions to his marshal when Ali sent to a battle. In it Ali tell them what to do before and during the battle.
• Letter 12, Instructions to an expedition of 3000 soldiers, who were sent to fight against the Syrians.
• Letter 13, Instructions to two of his commanders, in it he tells his commanders that he has appointed Malik ibn Harith as the Chief of Staff and they must follow his orders.
• Letter 14, At the Battle of Siffin Ali gave instruction in Letter 14 to his soldiers before the battle began.
• Letter 15, This letter has the words in which Ali used to invoke Allah whenever he faced an enemy.
• Letter 16, This letter has the words in which Ali used to advise his followers during a battle.
• Letter 17, A reply to a letter of Muawiyah I, Your claim that your clan is also descended from Abd Manaf ibn Qusai is true but you must remember, as the history of Arabs will convince you, that your ancestor Umayya was not equal to our ancestor, the famous Hashim, neither Harb, another ancestor of yours, was equal to our Abdul Muttalib … nor Abu Sufyan could claim himself equal to Abi Talib … and one coming from a doubtful lineage (pointing to Muawiyah I) cannot claim to be equal to those who come from the noble parentage (meaning himself and the Banu Hashim)
• Letter 18, A letter to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas. Abdullah was appointed as 'acting governor' of Basra, he was accused of ill treating the Banu Tamim clan. Ali wrote this letter to Ibn Abbas, to treat them equally.
• Letter 19, A letter to one of his governors. In it Ali tells about the ways of divine rule. It shows how Ali was training Muslims to behave tolerantly towards other religions, how a minority was to be treated and what should those who hold a different creed, expect of a Muslim ruler.
• Letter 20, By ibn Abbas, Ziyad was appointed commissioner of Basra. He was totally corrupt and was therefore dismissed by Ali. At the time of Ziyad's birth he was branded as illegitimate as no one claimed to be his father. He was known as "His Father's son" (a nickname given to him by Aisha). Later on Muawiyah I, in order to get support from Ziyad, claimed that Ziyad was his half-brother, thus Abu Sufyan's illegal son. Because of this Ziyad became a staunch ally of Muawiyah I. Ali wrote this letter to Ziyad when he was still commissioner of Basra.
• Letter 21, Another letter to Ziyad, in it Ali tells Ziyad the right way of living.
• Letter 22, This letter was an advice to ibn Abbas. Ibn Abbas later reported that except the advice of Mohammad, no other advice had been more beneficial to him.
• Letter 23, Was a letter by Ali, to his family, shortly before he was martyred in Kufa.
• Letter 24, is Ali's will. It was written shortly after the Battle of Siffin.
• Letter 25, Directions to assessors and collectors of Zakat
• Letter 26, has instructions to Zakat collectors.
• Letter 27, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr was the son of the first Caliph, but was raised by Ali. During the caliphate of Ali he was appointed Governor of Egypt. This Letter was sent to Muhammad by Ali, in it Ali instructs Muhammad how to govern in a fair and just way.
• Letter 28, is a famous reply of Ali to Muawiya's letters.
• Letter 29, A letter to the people of Basra.
• Letter 30, A letter to Muawiyah I.
• Letter 31, A letter to one of his son's (either Hasan ibn Ali or Muhammad ibn Hanafiya). In it Ali advises him how to lead a successful life.
• Letter 32, Another letter to Muawiyah I, "You have misguided the whole generation of men around you. Having no faith in the truth of Islam you have led others to go astray. O Muawiya! Fear Allah, do not let the Devil lead you to Hell …"
• Letter 33, A letter to Qutham ibn Abbas, brother of `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas (Ali's Governor of the Hejaz Province).
• Letter 34, A letter to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. Muhammad was appointed Governor of Egypt by Ali, later on Ali replaced him and appointed Malik al-Ashtar as the new Governor. Muhammad felt sad about this, when Ali found out about the sadness of Muhammad, he wrote letter 34 to him.
• Letter 35, When Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr (former Governor of Egypt was killed by the guerrillas of Muawiyah I, Ali wrote this letter to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas (the new Governor).
• letter 36, A letter to his (Ali's) brother, Aqeel ibn Abi Talib.
• Letter 37, A short letter to Muawiyah I. "Allaho Akbar. How hopelessly you are engulfed in your inordinate and sinful desires."
• Letter 38, A letter to the people of Egypt, telling them about Malik al-Ashtar, when he was appointed Governor of Egypt.
• letter 39, A letter to 'Amr ibn al-'As.
• Letter 40, A letter to a commissioner of a province, it is unknown to whom this letter was addressed.
• Letter 41, An unknown Governor of a province ran away with the public treasury. This letter is to the unknown Governor.
• Letter 42, written to Umar ibn Abu Salama Mukhzumi, when Ali replaced him with Nu'man ibn Ajlan Zuraqi for the Governorship of Bahrain.
• Letter 43, A letter to Muskala ibn Hubayra Shaybani who was the Governor of Ardshir Khurra.
• Letter 44, Ziyad was a Governor of Ali, when Muawiyah I came to power in Bilad al-Sham he tried to bribe Ziyad, in order to befriend him. When Ali found out about this he wrote this letter to Ziyad. "… Beware, he wants to make a fool of you, …".
• Letter 45, Uthman ibn Hunayf was appointed Governor of Basra. Once he attended a luxurious dinner given by a rich man of Basra. Ali wrote this letter regarding this matter.
• Letter 46, A letter to one of his Governors.
• Letter 47, contains the words in which Ali advised Husayn ibn Ali and Hasan ibn Ali, shortly after being wounded by Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim, while offering the Fajr Salah (morning prayers).
• Letter 48, A letter to Muawiyah I. "Remember that inequity and falsehood bring disgrace to a man in this World and in the hereafter"
• Letter 49, Another short letter to Muawiyah I.
• Letter 50, A circular to the chiefs of his army.
• Letter 51, A letter to the collectors of taxes and revenues. In it Ali tells the tax collectors that they have a huge responsibility, and they must carry out the duty sincerely and with fairness and justice. "In collection of taxes and revenues do not sell their winter and summer clothings … do not resort to whipping; do not touch their property; be they Muslims or non-Muslims."
• Letter 52, is a highly valuable source to determine the timing of Salah. In it Ali informs the timing of prayers. "Lead the Zohr prayers till the shadow of a wall becomes equal to the height of the wall. The Asr prayers can be performed till the sun is still bright and enough time of the day is left for a person to cover a distance of six miles. The maghrib prayers should be performed when people open their fast and when Hajj pilgrims return from Arafat. And the time for Isha prayers is when the red glow of the evening twilight disappears from the west… The morning prayers are to be performed when there appears enough light of the dawn for a man to recognize the face of his companion."
• Letter 53, Is a very long letter that contains instructions to Malik al-Ashtar, after he was appointed Governor of Egypt. Never say to yourself, "I am their lord, their ruler and all in all over them and that I must be obeyed submissively and humbly".
• Letter 54, A letter to Talhah and Al-Zubayr, "…both of you know very well that I did not approach the people to get the oath of allegiance but they came to me with their desire to make me their Amir (ruler)… And you to were among those who had flocked round me to swear the oath".
• Letter 55, A letter to Muawiya, "I swear, and my oath is such that I have no intention of breaking it, that if fate so arranges as to bring us face to face against each other than I shall not leave the battle field: Until Allah judges between us, and He is the best judge. (surah al-Araf, 7:87)
• Letter 56, Shuray ibn Hani was appointed commanding officer of the vanguard of Ali's army, which was marching towards Syria. Instructions to Hani were sent through this Letter.
• Letter 57, When leaving Medina for Basra, Ali wrote this letter to the people of Kufa. "… I invite in the Name of Allah those to whom this letter reaches, to come and see for themselves whether I am in the right or in the wrong."
• Letter 58, A letter sent by Ali to people of various provinces, giving them the reasons of the Battle of Siffin.
• Letter 59, A letter to Aswad ibn Qatiba, the Governor of Hulwan. In it Ali gives Aswad a great piece of advice, "Keep yourself away from what you consider bad and evil in others".
• Letter 60, A circular-letter sent to those Governors and State officials, through whose territory the armies of Ali were to pass.
• Letter 61, Kumayl ibn Ziyad Nakhai was Governor of Hayit. Once he left his province unguarded, which gave the Syrian guerrillas to attack and loot the people of Hiyat. After this incident Hiyat sent a letter to Ali asking for permission to take revenge on the Syrian province of Kirkisiya. Kumayl was let known that Ali had not given him permission to invade Kikisiya through letter 61.
• Letter 62, When Ali appointed Malik ibn Harith Ashtar the Governor of Egypt, he gave him this letter to be read out to the people of Egypt.
• Letter 63, Abdullah ibn Qays (also known as Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari), was a man with weak faith, who was attracted to wealth and worldly desires even at the cost of religion. When Ali assumed the Caliphate, Abu Musa was in Kufa. When he found out that Talhah, Az Zubayr and Aisha were preparing for the Battle of Bassorah, he decided to act wisely and be friendly to both parties, he started saying, "Though Ali was the lawful Caliph of Muslims, yet it was not correct for him to fight against other Muslims". When Ali found out that through this statement he (Abu Musa) was trying to persuade people not to help him (Ali), Ali replied in Letter 63. "I shall not allow you to sit peacefully at home with a double face, one for each party and I shall expose you to the people."
• Letter 64, A reply to Muawiyah I. In it Ali accuses Muawiyah I of revolting against Islam. "… we are faithful and staunch followers of Islam and you have revolted against it."
• Letter 65, Another letter to Muawiyah I. "It will be great misfortune for Muslims if you become their despotic ruler after me …"
• Letter 66, A letter containing advice given to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas. Later Abdullah stated that except the advice of Muhammad, no other advice had been so useful to him.
• Letter 67, A letter to the Governor of Mecca, Qutham ibn Abbas (the brother of `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas).
• Letter 68, Ali wrote this letter to Salman the Persian, before the start of Ali's caliphate.
• Letter 69, A letter to Harith al-Hamdani.
• Letter 70, A letter to his Governor of Medina, Suhayl ibn Hunayf. The letter was written when some Medinites had left Suhayl and gone over to Muawiyah I. "Do not feel sorry for those who have left you … Their turning of faces away from Allah … and of stealthily walking over to sin and vice…"
• Letter 71, Ali had entrusted Munzir ibn Jarud Abdi to a high-ranking official position. Munzir misused his position, thereupon Ali wrote this letter to him. "I thought you were a worthy son of a worthy father … If all that is reported to me about you is correct, then the very camel you own or even the shoe-strap is superior to you."
• Letter 72, A letter to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas.
• Letter 73, A letter to Muawiyah I. "Beware that Satan has made you incorrigible, it has made you blind to good things as shown by the and deaf to his teachings."
• Letter 74, is a treaty (which Ali worded) between the Yemanites and the Bani Rabia tribe.
• Letter 75, After all Muslims accepted Ali ibn Abi Talib as the rightful caliph, he wrote this letter to Muawiyah I. In it Ali tells Muawiyah I to pay his oath of allegiance to him.
• Letter 76, This letters contains the instructions given to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas, when he was appointed as Ali's representative to Basra.
• Letter 77, Another letter containing instruction to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas, when he was sent to the Kharijites.
• Letter 78, A letter to Abdullah ibn Qays (also known as Abu Musa Ashari).
• Letter 79, This the final letter in the collection. It is an order issued by Ali to his generals when he took over the Caliphate of the Muslims Empire: "Verily previous rulers have come to sad ends because they prevented people from getting their just rights. They got corrupted and could be purchased, when they were tempted by sins and vices; they were led astray and they followed the wicked lead."