Abdullah Najashi, a notable historical figure, was appointed as the governor of Ahvaz by Mansur Abbasi. He sought guidance and a charter of conduct from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) to bring him closer to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) responded with a letter outlining his directives, parts of which are as follows:
“…Know that your salvation lies in safeguarding the lives of people, refraining from harming the friends of Allah, showing kindness to the people, living with good manners, and being gentle in your position of authority. Be considerate to your friends and those in need of you, fulfill the needs of the people, and treat them with justice.
Never neglect feeding the hungry, and do not consider the reward of such an act insignificant before Allah. My father narrated that the Prophet of Allah said: ‘One does not truly believe in Allah and the Last Day if he sleeps full while his neighbor’s stomach is empty.’
Fear Allah and ensure that you do not instill fear in the hearts of Allah’s servants. My father narrated from his father, from Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him): ‘Whoever looks upon a believer with anger and frightens him, Allah will terrify him on the Day of Judgment when there is no refuge except with Him.’
Whoever fulfills a need of their believing brother, Allah will fulfill many of their own needs, one of which will be entry into Paradise. If someone clothes, feeds, provides transportation for, or facilitates the marriage of a believer, Allah will bless them with heavenly garments, food, rides, and spouses.
Whoever visits their believing brother without any worldly need will be counted as one visiting Allah Himself, and it is upon Allah to honor His visitor.
Do not pursue the faults of the believers, for Allah will do the same to you. The smallest degree of disbelief is for one to hear something about a believing brother, remember it, and later use it to disgrace them.
My father narrated from his forefathers, from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (peace be upon him): ‘Whoever exposes something they saw or heard about a believer and thereby ruins their dignity and reputation, such a person falls under the verse: “Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter.” [1]
In this way, Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) offered Abdullah Najashi profound and practical advice, encapsulating the core principles of how a true Muslim should interact with others and embody good character.
(Adapted from the book “The Life of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)” by the late Dr. Seyyed Jafar Shahidi, with some modifications and additions.)
Footnotes:
[1] (Qur’an, Surah al-Nur, verse 19).