Letter 56: Instructions to Shuray bin Hani

Instructions to Shuray bin Hani when he was appointed as the commanding officer of the vanguard of his army, which was marching towards Syria. When Amir al-muminin placed Shurayh ibn Hani (al-Madhhiji) at the head of the vanguard preceding towards Syria, he issued this document of instruction to him:

اتَّقِ اللهَ فِي كُلِّ صَبَاح وَمَسَاء،

Fear Allah every morning and evening

وَخَفْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ الدُّنْيَا الْغَرُورَ،

and remain apprehensive about yourself of this deceitful world

وَلاَ تَأْمَنْهَا عَلَى حَال،

and do not regard it safe in any case.

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّكَ إِنْ لَمْ تَرْدَعْ نَفْسَكَ عَنْ كَثِير مِمَّا تُحِبُّ، مَخَافَةَ مَكْرُوهِهِ،

Know that if for fear of some evil you do not refrain yourself from things which you love,

سَمَتْ بِكَ الاْهْوَاءُ إِلَى كَثِير مِنَ الضَّرَرِ.

then passions will fling you into a lot of harm.

فَكُنْ لِنَفْسِكَ مَانِعاً رَادِعاً،

Therefore, be for yourself a refrainer and protector,

وَلِنَزْوَتِكَ عِنْدَ الْحَفِيظَةِ وَاقِماً قَامِعاً.

and for your anger a suppressor and killer.