Letters · Instructions for Malik al-Ashtar upon his appointment as the governor of Egypt

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

2

Arabic text

وَلَا تَدْفَعَنَّ صُلْحاً دَعَاكَ إِلَيْهِ عَدُوُّ كَ و لِلَّهِ فِيهِ رِضًا، فإِنَّ فِي الصُّلْحِ دَعَةً لِجُنُودِكَ، وَرَاحَةً مِنْ هُمُومِكَ، وأَمْناً لِبِلَادِكَ، وَلَكِنِ الْحَذَرَ كُلَّ الْحَذَرِ مِنْ عَدُوِّكِ بَعْدَ صُلْحِهِ، فَإِنَّ الْعَدُوَّ رُبَّمَا قَارَبَ لِيَتَغَفَّلَ، فَخُذْ بِالْحَزْمِ، وَاتَّهِمْ فِي ذَلِكَ حُسْنَ الظَّنِّ.

Original English translation

Do not reject peace to which your enemy may call you and wherein there is the pleasure of Allāh, because peace brings rest to your army and relief from your worries and safety for your country. But after peace there is great apprehension from the enemy because often the enemy offers peace to benefit by your negligence. Therefore, be cautious and do not act by wishfulness in this matter.

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