in his letter to Malik al-Ashtar when he appointed him governor of Egypt, said, 'The best commander of the army before you should be he who lends his help to the army equitably and spends from his money on them and on those of their families who remain behind so that all their concerns converge on the one concern for fighting the enemy. Your kindness to them will turn their hearts to you ... Therefore, be broad-minded with regard to their desires, continue praising them and recounting the good deeds of those who have shown such deeds, because the mention of good actions shakes the brave and arouses the weak, if Allah so wills.'