In Vali Nasr's book, The Shia Revival, he cites a letter that was written by Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed, during the brief period of his Caliphate in the mid 7th century. He wrote this letter to his governor in Egypt, and it was later compiled along with other letters and sermons of his which together formed the basis of much political wisdom in early Islam, particularly among the Shia.
In his letter, he commends the governor to be a just and righteous ruler, prudent and self-disciplined. He then goes on to say the following:
"...Infuse your heart with mercy, love, and kindness for your subjects. Be not in the face of them a voracious animal, counting them as easy prey, for they are of two kinds: either they are your brothers in religion or your equals in creation. Error catches them unaware, deficiencies overcome them, and evil deeds are committed by them intentionally and by mistake. So grant them your pardon and your forgiveness to the same extent that you hope God will grant you His pardon and His forgiveness...."
Either they are your brothers in religion, or your equals in creation.
How utterly eloquent. And brilliant, because the reality of God is invoked in both options, but the need to agree 'about' God only limited to one.
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