and from them is that the ruler of the matter is thirsty for the advice of the scholars and boasts about it when he hears it and is grateful for it. it has been narrated that abu ubaidah and muadh wrote to umar may god be pleased with them as for what follows we have known you and your personal affairs are important to you and you have become in charge of the affairs of this nation its black and its red sitting before you are the noble and the lowly the friend and the enemy and each has his share of justice. so look at how you are in that o umar and we warn you of what i warned the nations before you of a day when faces will be humiliated hearts will be broken and divisions will be cut. the argument for the glory of the king is that his might has subdued them and the creation is submissive to him awaiting his judgment and fearing his punishment. and that he has mentioned to us that a time will come upon the people when the brothers of the public will be the enemies of the secret. so we seek refuge in allah that our book should not be sent down before you other than the one sent down from our hearts. and indeed we have written to you with advice and peace be upon you. so he wrote to them with his reply and he mentioned at the end of what he wrote that you have written to me with advice so promise me from you a letter for i cannot do without you. and peace be upon you both.
ومنها أن يكون والى الأمر متعطشا إلى نصيحة العلماء ومتبجحا بها إذا سمعها وشاكرا عليها فقد روى أن أبا عبيدة ومعاذا كتبا إلى عمر رضى الله عنهم أما بعد فإنا عهدناك وشأن نفسك لك مهم وأصبحت وقد وليت بأمر هذه الأمة أسودها وأحمرها يجلس بين يديك الشريف والوضيع والصديق والعدو ولكل حصته من العدل فانظر كيف أنت عند ذلك يا عمر وانا نحذرك مما حذرت الأمم قبلك يوم تعنو فيه الوجوه وتجب فيه القلوب وتقطع فيه الحجة لعز ملك قهرهم جبروته والخلق داخرون له ينتظرون قضاءه ويخافون عقابه وانه ذكر لنا أنه سياتي على الناس زمان يكون اخوان العلانية أعداء السريرة فانا نعوذ بالله ان ينزل كتابنا من قبلك سوى المنزل الذى نزل من قلوبنا وإنا كتبنا اليك نصيحة والسلام فكاتبهما بجوابه وذكر في آخر ما كتب إنكما كتبتما الى نصيحة فتعهداني منكما بكتاب فإني لا غنى بي عنكما والسلام عليكما