أَمَّا بَعْدُ،
Now,
فَإِنِّي خَرَجْتُ مِنْ حَيِّي هذَا:
I have come out of my city
إِمَّا ظَالِماً، وَإِمَّا مَظْلُوماً،
either as an oppressor or as the oppressed,
وَإِمِّا بَاغِياً، وَإِمَّا مَبْغِيّاً عَلَيْهِ.
either as a rebel or one against whom rebellion has been committed.
وَأنا أُذَكِّرُ اللهِ مَنْ بَلَغَهُ كِتَابِي هذَا لَمَّا نَفَرَ إِلَىَّ،
In any case, to whomsoever this letter of mine reaches, I appeal to him in the name of Allah that he should come to me
فَإِنْ كُنْتُ مُحْسِناً أعَانَنِي،
and if I am in the right he should help me;
وَإِنْ كُنْتُ مُسْيئاً استَعْتَبَنِي.
but if I am in the wrong then he should try to get me to the right according to his view.
