[ After the conquest of Basra Imam Ali (a) wrote the following letter to the citizens of
Kufa. ]
O' Citizens of Kufa! May the
Merciful Lord reward you on His behalf and on behalf of the Ahlul Bayt (Progeny of the
Holy Prophet) (a) for obeying their orders and coming to their help. May He reward you
more handsomely than He rewards those who obey His commands (because you followed the true
path against very heavy odds and in spite of alluring enticements).
You have done your duty. You heard
the call of your Amir, responded to it; he called you and you obeyed his orders with zeal
and enthusiasm.