333. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in what he wrote to Hudhayfa ibn al-Yamān: “I command you to be tolerant in your affairs, lenient and just to your subjects.”1
334. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in a letter he wrote to the people of Madā'in: “I assigned your affairs to Hudhayfa ibn al-Yamān whose approach I favor and whose righteousness I am hopeful of. I have commanded him to do good to your benevolent ones, to be strict on your evil doers and to be lenient to those with good behavior among you. I ask God for well-being and benevolence and His All-embracing Mercy for you and for myself in this world and the hereafter.”2
335. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Be lenient, for it is the key to righteousness and the character of those who possess intellect.”3
336. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Tolerance and leniency ease off hardships and facilitate difficult means. “4
337. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who exercises leniency, difficulties will become easy for him.”5
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Refraining from Anger
338. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from his instructions to Ibn `Abbās when he appointed him as his administrator in Basra: “Treat people with a broad face, when meeting them, in gatherings and when passing a rule. Beware of anger because it is an augury of Satan.”6
1.. Irshād al-Qulub, p. ۳۲۱, Al-Darajāt al-Rafi`a, p. ۲۸۸: Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۲۸, p. ۸۸, h.۳.
2.. Irshād al-Qulub, p. ۳۲۲, Al-Darajāt al-Rafi`a, p. ۲۸۹. Also cf., al-Ghārāt, vol. ۱, p.۲۱۱.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۶۱۱۴, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۳۳۴, h. ۵۷۰۵, Ibid, p. ۵۲, h. ۱۳۶۳.
4.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۱۷۷۸.
5.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۸۴۰۰, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۵۵, h. ۸۲۱۵.
6.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۷۶, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۳, p. ۴۹۸, h. ۷۰۴.
