in his letter to Malik al-Ashtar when he appointed him governor of Egypt, said, 'Habituate your heart to mercy for the subjects and to affection and kindness for them. Do not stand over them like greedy beasts who seeks to devour them, since they are of two kinds, either your brother in religion or one like you in creation. They will commit slips and encounter mistakes. They may act wrongly, wilfully or by neglect. So extend to them your forgiveness and pardon, in the same way as you would like Allah to extend His forgiveness and pardon to you, because you have authority over them, and your Authority responsible Commander (Imam) has authority over you, while Allah has authority over he who has appointed you.'