The just sovereign is he who rules his subjects with equity, who guards himself against tyranny and corruption. The oppressive sovereign is a harbinger of misfortune; his dominion cannot last or endure, for the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Dominion may endure alongside unbelief, but it will not endure alongside injustice.”
Historians record that the Magians ruled the world for four thousand years, and that their realm endured only because of the justice they showed their subjects and the balance they maintained. In their creed they deemed oppression and wrongdoing impermissible; through their fairness they cultivated the lands and dealt equitably with the people.
It is also related that Allah—glorified be His remembrance—revealed to David, upon him be peace: “Forbid your people to revile the kings of the non-Arabs, for they have built up the earth and made it a dwelling place for My servants.”
Know, then, that the prosperity or ruin of the world rests with its rulers. When the sovereign is just, the world flourishes and the populace is secure, as it was under Ardashir, Afridun, Bahram Gur, and Khosrow Anushirwan. When the sovereign is tyrannical, the world falls into ruin, as occurred in the times of Zahhak, Afrasyab, Barzadkunah the Errant, and the like—until the people of Islam prevailed, overcame the Persians, expelled them from their lands and from power, and the state of the religion of Islam was strengthened by the blessing of our Prophet Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him.
Be certain that these kings we have named were the possessors of the age and lords of the earth. They attained what they desired of this world, spent their days in pleasure, then departed while their names and reputations remained. We have listed their deeds and traits so that you may realize that people are, in truth, the tales that outlive them: every person is remembered for what he used to do and is credited with the actions he once performed—if good, then good; if evil, then evil.
A person must therefore sow the seed of beneficence and rid himself of blatant faults and destructive sins—especially those who rule—so that a good name and a worthy legacy may survive them, and they will not be remembered with disgrace once they lie in the grave, as the poet said:
Flee from sin and repent, O youth;
If ever you slip, return—and feel remorse.