320. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his letter to Qutham ibn `Abbās, his agent in Mecca: “There should be no intermediary and envoy between you and the people except your tongue and no guard save your own face. Do not prevent any needy person from meeting you, because if the needy one is returned unsatisfied from your door in the first instance, then doing it thereafter will not bring you any praise.”1
321. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his letter to the tax collectors: “Do not employ doorkeepers for yourself and do not bar anyone from making their requests until they hand it over to you.”2
322. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his letter to the commanders of the troops: “From the servant of God Ali (a.s.) ibn Abi Tālib the Commander of the Faithful to the commanders in charge of the garrisons. The distinction that an officer achieves or the wealth with which he has been exclusively endowed should not make him change his behavior towards his subjects and rather the riches God has bestowed on him should increase him in nearness to his people and kindness over his brethren.”3
323. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his letter to Qays ibn Sa`d: “Cut the distance between you and the people, leave your door open and adhere to the truth.”4
1.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۶۷, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۳, p. ۴۹۷, h. ۷۰۲.
2.. Waq`at Siffin, p. ۱۰۸, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۵, p. ۳۵۵, h. ۷۰.
3.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۵۰, Waq`at Siffin, p. ۱۰۷, al-Amāli by al-Tusi, p. ۲۱۷, h.۳۸۱, al-Mi`yār wa al-Mawāzin, p. ۱۰۳.
4.. Tarikhk al-Ya`qubi, vol. ۲, p. ۲۰۲.
