Nahj al-Balāgha

ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) في أمر البيعة

About the sincerity of his own intention and support of the oppressed

لَمْ تَكُنْ بَيْعَتُكُمْ إِيَّايَ فَلْتَةً، وَلَيْسَ أَمْرِي وَأَمْرُكُمْ وَاحِداً، إِنِّي أُرِيدُكُمْ للهِ وَأَنْتُمْ تُرِيدُونَنِي لاِنْفُسِكُمْ. أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، أَعِينُوني عَلى أَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَايْمُ اللهِ لاَنْصِفَنَّ الْمَظْلُومَ، وَلاَقُودَنَّ الظَّالِمَ بِخِزَامَتِهَ حَتَّى أُورِدَهُ مَنْهَلَ الْحَقِّ وَإِنْ كَانَ كَارِهاً.

Your allegiance to me was not without thinking, [1] nor is my and your position the same. I seek you for Allāh’s sake but you seek me for your own benefits. O people! support me despite your heart’s desires. By Allāh, I will take revenge for the oppressed from the oppressor and will put a string in the nose of the oppressor and drag him to the spring of truthfulness even though he may grudge it.