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Supporting Lowest Class
250. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his letter to Qutham ibn `Abbās: “See into what has been collected with you of the funds of God (in the public treasury) and spend it on those around you from among the people with families, distressed, the starving and the empty-handed. Send the remaining to us for distribution among those who are next to us (throughout the state).”1
251. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his instructions to Mālik al-Ashtar: “Then (fear) God, (fear) God regarding the lowest class, the wretched, the needy, those suffering and the disabled who have no means at their disposal, for in this class there is he who begs and he who is needy (but does not beg). Be heedful for God’s sake of those rights of theirs, which He has entrusted to you. Set aside for them a share of your treasury and a share from the crops of the lands taken over as booty for Islam in every area, for to the farthest away of them belongs the equivalent of what belongs to the nearest. You are bound to observe the right of each of them; therefore be not distracted from them by arrogance, for you will not be excused, if attending to the important affairs, you neglect the small matter and trifling. So avert not your solicitude from them and turn not your face away from them in contempt.”
“Attend to the affairs of those (of the lowest class) who are unable to gain access to you, those upon whom eyes disdain to gaze and whom men regard with scorn. Appoint to attend exclusively to them a person whom you trust from among the God-fearing and humble and let him submit to you their affairs (demands). Then act towards them in a manner that will absolve you before Allah on the day that you meet Him. For among the subjects these are more in need of equity than others; in the case of each of them prepare your excuse with Allah by accomplishing for him his rightful due.”
“Take upon yourself the upkeep of the orphans and aged from among those who have no means at their disposal and do not exert themselves in begging. (All of) This is a heavy burden upon rulers. The truth, all of it, is a heavy burden.”2
1.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۶۷, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۳, p. ۴۹۷, h. ۷۰۲.
2.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۵۳. Also cf., Da`ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۱, h. ۳۶۶.
