Text of the Epistle

All praise belongs to Allah. We seek His help and His forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils within ourselves and from our misdeeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He allows to stray, none can guide. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah alone, without partner, and we bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger—upon him be blessings and peace.

To proceed: This is a concise principle affirming that it is obligatory for every individual, in all circumstances, to obey Allah and His Messenger, and that whatever Allah and His Messenger have enjoined—such as obedience to those in authority, offering them sincere counsel, and all other duties—is itself binding.

Allah the Exalted says: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to those entitled to them, and when you judge between people, judge with justice. Excellent indeed is that with which Allah admonishes you. Truly Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” ⦗1⦘ And He also said: