[1] Imam Al-Awzaa’ee: Exemplifying Positive Engagement and Effective Communication with the Rulers

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee [may Allah have mercy upon] wrote to Abu Abaydillaah – a governor of the khalifah- as follows: “I ask Allah [The Mighty and Exalted] to neither deprive you of sound intellect nor religion; make the best for you in what you are in- safeguard what you are acquainted with (i.e. upright deeds) and (safeguard you against) what you hate (i.e. the unpraiseworthy affairs) before being afflicted. And that Allah does not make you unaware of Him due to the fitna of covetousness or excessive work, bless you with recalling the little enjoyment in this world, bring to your attention the close approach of separation from it, makes your time within it influential (in a good way) and shows you compassion when it is taken away from you. Indeed, you are a person about whom I love to obligate myself to mention to him what Allah may bring about of good for him. So, I hope to advise you in private, love that your religious affairs are protected and evil is averted from you by the will of Allah. Idrees – the one who wrote to you – asked if you were able – may Allah have mercy upon you – to….” Then the Imam mentioned the request and finally supplicated for the governor”.

An Excerpt from “Muqaddimah Al-Jarh Wat-Tadeel” By Ibn Abee Haatim Ar-Raazee (rahimahullaah) 2/87-88