Letters · Instructions for tax collectors

al-Sharif al-Radi (d. 406 AH) · Thaqalayn library edition, reproduced verbatim

2

Arabic text

فَإِنْ قَالَ قَائِلٌ: لَا، فَلاَ تُرَاجِعْهُ، وَإِنْ أَنْعَمَ لَكَ مُنْعِمٌ فَانْطَلِقْ مَعَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تُخِيفَهُ أَوْ تُوعِدَهُ أَوْ تَعْسِفَهُ أَوْ تُرْهِقَهُ، فَخُذْ مَا أَعْطَاكَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ أَوْ فِضَّةٍ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَهُ مَاشِيَةٌ أَوْ إِبِلٌ فَلاَ تَدْخُلْهَا إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ، فَإِنَّ أَكْثَرَهَا لَهُ، فَإِذَا أَتَيْتَهَا فَلاَ تَدْخُلْ عَلَيْهَا دُخُولَ مُتَسَلِّطٍ عَلَيْهِ وَلَا عَنِيفٍ بِهِ، وَلَا تُنَفِّرَنَّ بَهِيمَةً وَلَا تُفْزِعَنَّهَا، وَلَا تَسُوأَنَّ صَاحِبَهَا فِيهَا،

Translation

If someone among them says “No”, then do not repeat the demand. If someone speaks to you in the affirmative, then go with him without frightening him, threatening him, pressuring him or oppressing him. Take what he gives you such as gold or silver (coins). If he has cattle or camels do not enter upon them save with his permission, because their major part is his. Therefore, when you get there do not enter upon them like one who has full control over them or in a violent manner. Do not scare any animal, do not tease anyone and do not let the owner feel grieved about anyone.

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