Imam Ali's Letter (5) - Nahjul Balagah

[ Ash'ath bin Qays was a hypocrite and time-sever. For sometime he attached himself to
Imam Ali (a) pretending to be his sincere follower. The ulterior motive behind this was to
amass wealth and to grasp power. Imam Ali (a) had appointed him as the Governor of
Azarbaijan. He started collecting and procuring wealth by every means possible. When this
was reported to Imam Ali (a), he wrote the following letter to Ash'ath: On receipt of this letter
he wanted to abscond with the wealth so amassed but good counsels prevailed upon him and
he was persuaded by Hujr bin Adi Kindi to got to Imam Ali (a). When his accounts were
audited he had to surrender 400,000 dirhams. ]

Imam Ali's Letter (4) - Nahjul Balagah

[ A letter to one of the commanders of his army. ]
If our enemies agree to obey us, it will be as I desire, but if they adamantly insist upon
dissension and revolt, then be ready to fight against them with the help of your faithful
followers. Trust those who have proved themselves faithful. Do not trust and do not count
upon the help of those who have proved faithless and disloyal. Remember that the absence of
those who do not join us willingly and sincerely is better than their presence in our ranks, and
their inactivity and lethargy is better than their participation in our activities.

Imam Ali's Letter (3) - Nahjul Balagah

[ Shurayh bin Haarith had been holding an important post during the previous regimes. Imam
Ali (a) had also appointed him as a Qadhi (Chief Judge) of Kufa. It was brought to the notice
of Imam Ali (a) that he had purchased a house for himself in the city (rather a costly and
expensive house, perhaps more expensive and luxurious than his status demanded and that too
rather at a cheaper price).
Imam Ali (a) called him and asked of him: "I am given to understand that you have purchased
this house for eighty dinars and a sales deed has also been completed regularizing it with
signatures of witnesses".

Imam Ali's Letter (2) - Nahjul Balagah

[ After the conquest of Basra Imam Ali (a) wrote the following letter to the citizens of Kufa. ]

Imam Ali's Letter (1) - Nahjul Balagah

[ The following is the letter sent by Imam Ali (a) through Imam Husayn (a) and Ammar Yasir
to the people of Kufa before he proceeded to Basra for the Battle of Jamal. ]