Nahj al-Balagha (Peak of Eloquence)

To Qutham ibn al-‘Abbās, his Governor of Mecca Now, make arrangements for ḥajj by the people, remind them of the days (to be devoted to) Allāh. Sit for giving them audience morning and evening. Explain the law to the seeker, teach the ignorant and discuss with the learned. There should be no intermediary between you and the people except your tongue, and no guard save your own face. Do not prevent any needy person from meeting you, because if the needy is returned unsatisfied from your door in the first instance then even doing it thereafter will not bring you praise. See what has been collected with you of the funds of Allāh (in the public treasury) and spend it over the persons with families, the distressed, the starving and the naked, at your end. Then, send the remaining to us for distribution to those who are on this side. Ask the people of Mecca not to charge rent from lodgers, because Allāh, the Glorified, says that: “alike; for the dweller therein as well as the stranger” (Qur’ān, 22:25). “al-‘ākif” (the dweller) here means he who is living there while “al-bādī” (the stranger) means he who is not among the people of Mecca, comes for ḥajj from outside. May Allāh grant us and you promptitude for seeking His love (by doing good acts); and that is an end to the matter.