RIGHTS OF SUBJECTS

RIGHTS OF SUBJECTS

18- THE RIGHT OF SUBJECTS THROUGH AUTHORITY

Then the right of your subjects through authority is that¹ you should know that you have authority over them due to your power over them, and that they have been made your subjects through their weakness and humility. What do they deserve whose weakness and humility made them your subjects, and made your authority over them effective. They do not disobey you by their own might and power.² They cannot find a supporter against your power except [by God], by His Mercy and Protection, and patience. How proper it is for you to recognize that God has granted you this increased might and power with which you have subdued others. You should be thankful to God. And God will increase His Graces to those who thank Him. And there is no power but in God.

19- THE RIGHT OF SUBJECTS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE

And the right of your subjects through knowledge is that you should know that God established you over them through what He has granted you of knowledge and what He has granted authority over His treasures of wisdom. If you do well³ in what God has given you authority over and treat them the same as the treatment of the treasurer, a sympathetic counselor who respects his master in the affairs of the slaves, the steadfast good-doer who, when he sees one who is needy, takes some of the property that he has control over to give away. Then you will be matured. And will be hopeful and faithful. Otherwise you will be regarded as betraying Him, and unjust to His creatures, and exposing yourself to God's seizing His Graces and Power from you.

20- THE RIGHT OF THE WIFE

And the right of your subject through matrimonial contract⁴ is that you should know that God has made her repose, a comfort and a companion, and a maintainer for you. It is incumbent upon each of you to thank God for the other and realize that the other one is God's blessing for you. It is obligatory to be a good companion for God's Blessing, and to honor her and treat her gently. Yet, your right over her is more incumbent⁵ and she must obey you in every matter that you like or detest- except in acts of disobedience to God. She should enjoy the rights of mercy and intimacy, as she is an object of tranquility. You should care for her through consummation of the lust that must be consummated. And that is surely great. And there is no power but in God.

21- THE RIGHT OF YOUR SLAVE

And the right of your subject through being your slave is that you should know that he is a creature of your Lord and is made of the same flesh and blood.⁶ And you only own him, but you are much too inferior to God and you have not created him.⁷ And you have not created his hearing and sight, nor do you provide his daily sustenance; rather it is God who gives you sufficiency for that. Then He subjugated him to you, entrusted him to you, and provisionally consigned him with you. So protect him there⁸, and treat him well just as well as he has treated you, and feed him with what you eat yourself, and clothe him with what you clothe yourself. And do not burden him with what he cannot withstand. And if you dislike him, you ought to let him go and replace him, but do not torment God's creature. And there is no power but in God.

* By: IMAM SAJJAD Ali ibn al-Hussein (May God Bless Him). Research and Translation by: Dr. Ali Peiravi Ms. Lisa Zaynab Morgan

1. In the other version it continues: "they have been made subjects through their weakness and your strength. Hence it is incumbent upon you to act with justice toward them and to be like a compassionate father toward them. You should forgive them their ignorance and not hurry them to punishment and you should thank God for the power over them which He has given to you."
2. that they do not have
3. In the other version it continues: "in teaching the people, not treating them roughly or annoying them, then God will increase His bounty toward you. But if you withhold your knowledge from people or treat them roughly when they seek knowledge from you, then it will be God's right to deprive you of the knowledge and its splendor and to make you fall from your place in people's heart."
4. your wife
5. In the other version it is followed by: "you must treat her with compassion, since she is your prisoner whom you feed and clothe. If she is ignorant, you should pardon her."
6. as you are
7. God created him
8. in your shelter