In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
A man went to the caliph, Mamun, in order to advise and admonish him; however, he was very severe in his speech, so much so that the ruler was visibly affected by his words. When the man left the company of the caliph, he regretted his words and feared punishment from him. When he returned to his home, he found out that the caliph wanted to meet him, and so he returned to him in a state of fear and agitation. Mamun said, “Indeed, Allah has ordered he who is better than you to be gentle in speech with he who is more evil than me.” Allah (the Exalted) said to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) when he sent him to Firaun:
“And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah.” (Koran 20.44)
The man apologized for what he said, and he learned gentleness in speech from Mamun.
Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 146