To the officers through whose jurisdiction the army passed

To the officers through whose jurisdiction the army passed

From the servant of Allāh ‘Alī, Amīr al-mu’minīn to all the collectors of revenue and officers of the realm through whose area the army passes.

Now, I have sent an army that will pass by you, if Allāh wills. I have instructed them about what Allāh has made obligatory on them, namely that they should avoid molestation and avert harm. I hold myself clear before…

I am myself within the army. So, refer to me their high-handedness and any hardship which is caused by them and which you cannot avert except through Allāh and through me. I shall then avert it with the help of Allāh, if…