Nahjul Balaaghah about Ali’s Contemporaries

Nahjul Balaaghahabout Ali’s Contemporaries

By A.S. Hashim. MD

Nahjul Balaaghah about Ali's Contemporaries

Supplication

الرحيم الرحمن الله بـســـم

In the Name of God,

Lord of Mercy and

Lord of Grace


Nahjul Balaaghah

Nahjul Balaaghah, a highly valued book, consists of:– 254 sermons, – 48 letters, and – 212 sayings of Imam Ali

Nahjul Balaaghah is unique to Imam Ali

None of the Sahaaba was ever able to produce anything like it:

neither in substance

nor in literary eloquence.

No wonder Ali was referred to as:1. Sayyid al-Bulaghaa' (Pinnacle of Literary Expression) and

2. Sayyid al-Fu'qahaa, (Pinnacle of the Jurisprudents)


The 15 References

Nahjul Balaaghah contains 15 references on behalf of his companions and contemporaries

The quotes appear in various sermons, – said at variable occasions and – about different subjects.

The Arabic quotes are from the book of Nahjul Balaaghah, by Dr. Subhi Al-Salih, and so is the numbering of the sermons and pages, 1st Edition, Beirut 1967. The Number of the sermons may differ by a factor of 1 in other volumes of Nahjul BalaaghahThe references are quotes by Abd al-Zahra' al-Husayni in vols. I & IV of his work (see Al-Islam.org, internet)


Time Element

The majority of Ali's sayings and speeches were stated:– During his Khilaafah when in Kufa, – At Different Places– At Different Occasions– Often at Khutba of Jumu’ah


In Sermon 118, Ali in praise of faithful followers

See next slide please– Other sources:

1. Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh;

2. Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I, 121;

3. al-Waqidi, in al-Jamal and;

4. al-Mada'ini in his book, see Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Sharh, II, 259.


In Sermon 118, page 175, Ali in praise of faithful followers

Verily, you are the supporters of Truth and the brethren in faith.

You are the shield on the day of ordeal, and my trustees among the rest of men.

With your support I strike the fleeing ones and anticipate obedience of the forthcoming ones.

Therefore, uphold me without cheating, pure from doubt.

By Allah, I supersede any over all people.

(ح'ق%، ال ع'ل'ى (ص'ار, 'ن اال ,م, (ت 'ن أ ، الد%ين4 في 4خ,و'ان, و'اال

س4، ) 'أ (ب ال 'و(م' ي 'ن, ن (ج, و'ال

Cاس4، الن د,ون' 'ة, 4ط'ان (ب و'ال ، 4ر' (م,د(ب ال 'ض(ر4ب, أ ,م( 4ك ب

، 4ل4 (م,ق(ب ال ط'اع'ة' ج,و ر(' و'أ

م4ن' Cة 4ي ل خ' 'اص'ح'ة 4م,ن ب ,وني 'ع4ين ف'أ ; (ب4 ي Cالر م4ن' 4يم'ة ل س' (غ4ش%، الCاس4 الن ''و(ل'ى ال %ي 4ن إ الله4 ف'و'

! Cاس4 4الن ب


In Sermon 106,, Ali at Siffin

See next slide please– Other Sources:

1. Al-Ghazali, Ihya';

2. al-Harrani, Tuhaf, 126;

3. al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi, II, 49;

4. al-Qali, al-'Amali, 171;

5. Abu Talib al-Makki, Qut, I, 382, 407;

6. Abu Nuàym, Hilyah, I, 74, 75;

7. al-Saduq, al-Khisal, I, 108;

8. al-Qadi al-Qudaì, Dustur, 121;

9. al-Tusi, al-'Amali, * 23.


In Sermon 106, page 154, Ali at Siffin

Through Allah’s Grace you have a status when even your slave maids are honored and your neighbors highly regarded. And even the person (over whom you have no obligation) honors you. But also people highly regard you despite no apprehension of assault from you nor authority over them.

It seems that when pledges to Allah are broken you feel no rage, yet you resent it when pledges of your forefathers are broken.

Lo! Allah's edicts have been coming to you, and proclaimed through you, and back again to you;

yet you have enabled the wrong-doers over you and relinquished your responsibilities to them, and have placed Allah's affairs in their hands. They operate the Islamicly doubtful and tread to their heart’s desires.

By Allah, even if they disperse you under every star Allah would surely collect you for their worst

day for you.

,م( 'ك ل الله4 ام'ة4 'ر' ك من( ,م( 'غ(ت 'ل ب ق'د(,وص'ل, و'ت ، ,م( 4م'اؤ,ك إ 4ه'ا ب م, (ر' ,ك ت Zة' (ز4ل م'ن

' ال م'ن( ,م( ,ع'ظ%م,ك و'ي ، ,م( ,ك ان ج4ير' 4ه'ا ب(د'ه,، ن ع4 ,م( 'ك 'د'ل ي ' و'ال 'يه4، ع'ل ,م( 'ك ل ف'ض(ل'

,م( 'ك ل 'خ'اف, ي ' ال م'ن( ,م( ,ك 'ه'اب و'ي ،bة 4م(ر' إ (ه4 'ي ع'ل ,م( 'ك ل ' و'ال ،Zس'ط(و'ة

Zق,وض'ة) م'ن الله4 ع,ه,ود' و(ن' 'ر' ت و'ق'د( ! 4 ذ4م'م 'ق(ض4 4ن ل ,م( (ت 'ن و'أ ,ون' 'غ(ض'ب ت ' ف'ال

! الله4 م,ور,' أ 'ت( 'ان و'ك 'ف,ون' (ن 'أ ت ,م( 4ك 'ائ آب

,م( (ك 'ي 4ل و'إ ، 'ص(د,ر, ت ,م( (ك و'ع'ن 'ر4د,، ت ,م( (ك 'ي ع'لج4ع,، 'ر( ت

، ,م( 4ك 'ت (ز4ل م'ن م4ن( 'م'ة' الظCل ,م, (ت Cن ف'م'ك,م( 'م(ت ل س(

' و'أ ، ,م( 'ك ز4مCت' أ (ه4م( 'ي 4ل إ ,م( (ت (ق'ي 'ل و'أ

,ون' 'ع(م'ل ي ، (د4يهم( 'ي أ ف4ي الله4 م,ور', أ

في ون' ير, 'س4 و'ي ، ,ه'ات4 ب n4الش ب، ه'و'ات4 Cالش

,ل% ك 'ح(ت' ت ,م( ق,وك Cف'ر 'و( ل الله4، (م, و'اي'و(م ي ر% 4ش' ل الله, ,م, 'ج'م'ع'ك ل 'ب، 'و(ك ك

! 'ه,م( ل


In Sermon 107,, Ali during one of the days of Siffin

See next slide please– Other Sources:

1. Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 14, events of 37 H.;

2. al-Kulayni, Furu` al-Kafi, V, 40;

3. Nasr ibn Muzahim, Siffin, 256.


In Sermon 107, page 155, Ali during one of the days of Siffin

I have seen your dispersal and flight from the lines, surrounded by the lowly and insolent, and the Syrian bedouins

All this and you are the valiant Arabs and summit of distinction, with the high dignity (as the high nose and hump of the camel).

The sigh of my bosom can subside when I see you surrounding them as they surround you, and dislodging them from their position as they dislodged you,

Do it by way of arrows, striking them with spears to such an extent that their forward rows fall upon the rear ones, in confusion, just as the thirsty camels removed from their water-points would be in confusion.

، ,م( 'ك 'ت ج'و(ل (ت, 'ي أ ر' و'ق'د( ، ,م( ص,ف,وف4ك ع'ن( ,م( ك 'از' ي (ح4 و'ان ، الطCغ'ام, (ج,ف'اة, ال ,م, ك 'ح,وز, ت

،4 ام Cالش 'ه(ل4 أ اب, 'ع(ر' و'أ'ه'ام4يم, ل ,م( (ت 'ن ، و'أ ب4 (ع'ر' ال

(ف, '(ن و'اال ، ف4 ر' Cالش 'آف4يخ, و'ي ، '(ع(ظ'م, اال 'ام, ن Cو'الس ، (م,ق'دCم, ال

ص'د(ر4ي و'ح'او4ح' ف'ى ش' 'ق'د( و'ل'ه,م( ون 'ح,وز, ت ة، 'خ'ر' 4أ ب ,م( ,ك (ت 'ي أ ر' 'ن( أع'ن( 'ه,م( ,ون ,ز4يل و'ت ، ,م( وك ح'از, 'م'ا ك

; ,م( ,وك ال 'ز' أ 'م'ا ك م'و'اق4ف4هم(Z ا wح'س Z ج(را و'ش' ، %ص'ال4 بالن

,واله,م( أ 'ب, ك 'ر( ت ، م'اح4 4الر% ب 4 (ه4يم ال 4ل4 (ب 4 'اال ك اه,م( ,خ(ر' أ

ع'ن( م'ى ,ر( ت ود'ة4، (م'ط(ر, ال! م'و'ار4د4ه'ا ع'ن( ,ذ'اد, و'ت 'اض4ه'ا، ي ح4


In Sermon 123,, Ali speech before Siffin

Ali’s address to his followers on the battlefield of Siffin. About supporting the weak and the low-spirited during the fighting– Other sources

Ibn Àbd Rabbih, al-Ìqd, IV, 338;

al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi, V, 53;

al-Mufid, al-Jamal, 190, from al-Waqidi's al-Jamal;

al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 139, 159;

Ibn Miskawayh, Tajarib al-'umam, see Ta'sis al-Shiàh, 415;

al-Tusi, al-'Amali, I, 220.


In Sermon 123, page 180, Ali speech before Siffin

As to the one who feels spirited during the battle but finds a comrade falter.

Let him, by Allah’s favor, ward off the enemies from him just as he would for himself. For Allah had willed to give him the superior capacity.

For sure death is a quick seeker, and neither does the steadfast escape it nor the fleeing can defy it. The honorable death is when killed (in battle).

By Allah, in whose hand lies my life, a thousand strike by the sword are lighter than death in bed (when not in obedience to Allah)

م4ن( Cح'س' أ ,م( (ك م4ن ام(ر4ىء nي' و'أ

%ق'اء4، الل (د' ن ع4 (ش ج'أ 'اط'ة' ب ر' ه4 'ف(س4 ن4ه4 4خ(و'ان إ م4ن( 'ح'د أ م4ن( 'ى أ و'ر'

،Z ال ف'ش'4ه4 'ج(د'ت ن 4ف'ض(ل4 ب 'خ4يه4 أ ع'ن( Cذ,ب' (ي ف'ل

nذ,ب' ي 'م'ا ك (ه4 'ي ع'ل 4ه'ا ب ف,ض%ل' Cتي ال'ه, 'ج'ع'ل ل الله, اء' ش' 'و( ف'ل ه4، 'ف(س4 ن ع'ن(

. 'ه, (ل م4ث b4يث ث ح' bط'ال4ب (م'و(ت' ال C4ن إ

ه, ,ع(ج4ز, ي ' و'ال ، (م,ق4يم, ال ,ه, 'ف,وت 'ي ال ! (ل,. (ق'ت ال (م'و(ت4 ال م' (ر' ك

' أ C4ن إ (ه'ار4ب, الط'ال4ب 4ي ب

' أ (ن4 اب 'ف(س, ن Cذ4ي و'ال(ف4 ي C4الس ب 'ة ب ض'ر( ''ل(ف, ال 'د4ه4، 4ي ب

اش4 (ف4ر' ال ع'ل'ى 'ة م4يت م4ن( 'ه(و'ن, أ.]! الله4] ط'اع'ة4 (ر4 غ'ي ف4ي


In Sermon 125,, Ali, Kharijis and Arbitration

About the Arbitrators: We did not name people the arbitrators but we named the Quran the arbitrator. The Quran is a book, covered, between two flaps, and it does not speak. When these people invited us to name the Quran as the arbitrator between us, we could not be the party turning away from the Book of Allah. – Other sources

Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 37, events of 37 H.; Sibt ibn al-Jawzi, Tadhkirah, 100;al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 157;al-Tabarsi, al-'Ihtijaj, I, 275.


In Sermon 125, page 183, Ali, Kharijis and Arbitration

Be prepared to march to people who had deviated from the Truth and are blind to it. They are entangled in the wrong-doing, and insistent in it. They are spurned from the Holy Book and away from the right path.

But you are far from being trusted, nor honorable enough to take refuge in. Wretched as kindling the fire of fighting.

Woe to you! You have worried me a great deal. One day I call upon you (to jihad) and one day I address you in confidence,

But, neither are you truly enthusiastic at the time of call, nor trustworthy brothers when spoken to in confidence.

4ل'ى إ ير4 (م'س4 4ل ل 'ع4دnوا ت اس( ' ال (ح'ق% ال ع'ن4 ى 'ار' ي ح' ق'و(م

(ج'و(ر4 4ال ب ع4ين' و'م,وز' 'ه, ون (ص4ر, ,ب يع'ن4 ج,ف'اة 4ه4، ب ,ون' 'ع(د4ل ي ' ال

الطCر4يق4 ع'ن4 ,ك,ب ن ، 'اب4 4ت (ك ال4ه'ا، ب ,ع(ل'ق, ي 4يق'ة 'و'ث ب ,م( (ت 'ن أ م'ا

(ه'ا، 'ي 4ل إ 'ص'م, ,ع(ت ي و'اف4ر' ز' ' و'الب4 (ح'ر( ال 'ار4 ن اش, Cح,ش 4ئ(س 'ب ل ! 'ق4يت,! ل 'ق'د( ل ,م( 'ك ل ,ف� أ ,م( (ت 'ن أ

,م( 'اد4يك ,ن أ Z 'و(ما ي ،Z حا 'ر( ب ,م( (ك م4ن ، ,م( 'اج4يك ,ن أ Z 'و(ما و'ي

(د' ن ع4 ص4د(ق أح(رار, ' ف'ال(د' ن ع4 4ق'ة ث 4خ(و'ان, إ ' و'ال %د'اء4، الن

Cج'اء4 الن


In Sermon 131,, Ali about quest of Khilaafah

See next slide please– Other sources

Sibt, Tadhkirah, 120;

al-Qadi al-Nu`man, Daà'im, 531;(3) Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, III,154 (z.'a.r), V, 270 (w.à.a).


In Sermon 131, page 188, Ali about quest of Khilaafah

O' people of the differing minds and divided hearts, whose bodies are present but minds are absent.

I lead you to the Truth, but you run away from it, like goats running away from the roaring lion.

Hard it is for me to uncover for you the secrets of justice, or straighten up the swerving of the Truth.

O' Allah! Thou know that what we did was not to seek power nor to acquire anything from the vanities of the world.

But wanted to restore the signs of Thy religion and to usher goodness into the land, so that the repressed among Thy creatures be safe, and Thy forsaken commands might be established.

4ف'ة,، 'ل ت ,(مخ( ال nف,وس, الن ,ه'ا Cت ي' أ

اه4د'ة, Cالش 'ة,، %ت ت 'ش' (م,ت ال (ق,ل,وب, و'ال(ه,م( ع'ن 'ة, 4ب (غ'ائ و'ال ، ,ه,م( (د'ان ب

' أ، ,ه,م( ع,ق,ول

,م( (ت 'ن و'أ (ح'ق% ال ع'ل'ى ,م( ك ر,' 'ظ(أ أ

(م4ع(ز'ى ال ,ف,ور' ن (ه, ع'ن ون' (ف4ر, 'ن ت ! د4 '(س' اال و'ع(و'ع'ة4 م4ن(

ار' ر' س' ,م( 4ك ب 'ع' 'ط(ل أ 'ن( أ (ه'ات' ه'ياع(و4ج'اج4 ,ق4يم' أ و(

' أ ، (ع'د(ل4 ال(ح'ق%. ال

,ن4 'ك ي 'م( ل Cه, ن' أ 'م, 'ع(ل ت Cك' 4ن إ Cه,مC الل

ف4ي Zة 'اف'س' م,ن Cا م4ن 'ان' ك Cذ4ي الش4يء 4(تم'اس' ال ' و'ال ل(ط'ان، س,

،4 (ح,ط'ام ال ف,ض,ول4 م4ن(م4ن( 4م' (م'ع'ال ال 'ر4د' 4ن ل و'لك4ن(

ف4ي 'ح' 4(ص(ال اال ,ظ(ه4ر' و'ن ، 4ك' د4ين(م'ظ(ل,وم,ون' ال م'ن'

) 'أ ف'ي ، 'د4ك' 4ال ب'ة, (م,ع'طCل ال ,ق'ام' و'ت ، 'اد4ك' ب ع4 م4ن(

ح,د,ود4ك' م4ن(


In Sermon 180, Ali criticizing his followers

See next slide please– Other sources

Al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat, I, 291;

al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 60, events of 38 H.;

Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, I, 188 (t.r.k).


In Sermon 180, page 258, Ali criticizing his followers

I praise Allah for all matters He ordained and actions He decreed, and for my ordeal in you,

O' denomination of people who obeys not when I order and responds not when I call upon you. When at ease you engage in vain talk, but when faced with battle you falter. If people agree on one Imam you taunt each other. If faced with the arduous, you back away from it.

Woe to your enemy! what do you expect from your triumph or the fighting for your rights? For there is either death or disgrace ahead.

By Allah, if my day of death comes. (and it is

sure to come), it will separate me from you; though to your companionship I am bereaved and in you I feel forlorn.

ق'ض'ى م'ا ع'ل'ى الله' 'ح(م'د, أف4ع(ل، م4ن( و'ق'دCر' م(ر،

' أ م4ن(4ك,م ب 4ي 'ئ 4ال (ت اب و'ع'ل'ى

إذ'ا 4ي Cت ال ق'ة, (ف4ر( ال ,ه'ا Cت ي' أ

د'ع'و(ت, و'إذ'ا ,ط4ع(، ت 'م( ل ت, م'ر(' أ

، ,م( خ,ض(ت ,م( (ت م(ه4ل, أ إن( ، ,ج4ب( ت 'م( ل

و'إن4 ، ,م( ت خ,ر( ,م( (ت ح,ور4ب و'إن(إم'ام ع'ل'ى Cاس, الن 'م'ع' ت اج(إل'ى ,م( (ت ب ج4

, أ و'إن( ، ,م( (ت ط'ع'ن,م( 'ص(ت 'ك ن اقCة .م,ش'

! ون' 'ظ4ر, (ت 'ن ت م'ا ,م( (ر4ك 4غ'ي ل 'ا 'ب أ ' الع'ل'ى (ج4ه'اد4 و'ال ,م( 'ص(ر4ك 4ن ب

Cلnالذ و4' أ (م'و(ت' ال ؟ ,م( ح'ق%ك

,م(؟ 'ك لـ 'و(م4ي ي اء' ج' 4ن( 'ئ ل ف'و'الله4

(ني 'ي ب Cق'ن ,ف'ر% 'ي ل ـ %ي 'ن 4ي ت) 'أ 'ي و'ل

ق'ال، ,م( 4ك 'ت ب ل4ص,ح( 'نا و'أ ,م( 'ك (ن 'ي و'ب4ير 'ث ك (ر, غ'ي ,م( 4ك و'ب


In Sermon 71, Ali criticizing people of Iraq

When after Arbitration the Iraqis displayed complacency toward the harassments and continuous attacks of Mu'awiya, Ali delivered this sermon condemning the Iraqis. He referred to their being deceived at Siffin and has likened them to a woman who has five qualities – Other sources

Ibn Da`b, al-'Ikhtisas, 155;

al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 161;

al-Tabarsi, al-'Ihtijaj, I, 254;

al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, II, 236;

Ibn Qutaybah, Ùyun, II, 301;

al-Mufid, al-Majalis, 105;

Sibt, Tadhkirah, 137.


In Sermon 71, page 100, Ali criticizing people of Iraq

O ' people of Iraq! You are like the pregnant woman for sure, who, on completion of her pregnancy delivers a dead baby, whose husband is dead, and period of widowhood is long while only remote relation inherits her.

By Allah, I did not come to you of my own accord. I came to you by force of circumstance. I have come to know that you say Ali speaks lie.

Woe to you! Against whom do I speak lie? Is it against Allah, and I am the first to have believed in Him.

Or against the Prophet, and I am the first who testified to him. Certainly not.

By Allah it was an expression you failed to comprehend, nor were you worthy of it. Woe to you. I am offering prudent wisdom free of cost. Lo! if there is a vessel good enough to hold it.

، اق4 (ع4ر' ال 'ه(ل' أ 'ا ي 'ع(د, ب مCا' أ

، (ح'ام4ل4 ال 'ة4 أ (م'ر( 'ال ك ,م( (ت 'ن أ Cم'ا 4ن ف'إ ، م(ل'ص'ت(

' أ 'مCت( 'ت أ 'مCا ف'ل ح'م'ل'ت(nم,ه'ا، ي

' 'أ ت و'ط'ال' %م,ه'ا، ق'ي و'م'ات'. (ع'د,ه'ا 'ب أ 'ه'ا و'و'ر4ث

,م, ,ك (ت 'ي 'ت أ م'ا و'الله4 م'ا' أ

,م( (ك 'ي 4ل إ (ت, ئ ج' و'لك4ن( ،Z 'ارا 4ي ت اخ(,م( Cك 'ن أ 4ي 'غ'ن 'ل ب 'ق'د( و'ل ،Z و(قا س'

] ع'لي�: ] ,ون' 'ق,ول ، ت (ذ4ب, 'ك ي ! م'ن( ف'ع'ل'ى الله, ,م, 'ك 'ل ق'ات

وCل, ' أ 'ا 'ن ف'أ الله4؟ 'ع'ل'ى أ ؟ (ذ4ب, 'ك أ

! %ه4؟ 4ي 'ب ن ع'ل'ى 'م( أ 4ه4 ب آم'ن' م'ن( ! ص'دCق'ه, م'ن( وCل,

' أ 'ا 'ن ف'أ bة 'ه(ج' ل Cه'ا 4ن ولك و'الله4، C 'ال ك

م4ن( ,وا ,ون 'ك ت 'م( و'ل (ه'ا، ع'ن ,م( (ت ب غ4(ر4 4غ'ي ب Z (ال 'ي ك ام%ه4، (ل, و'ي 4ه'ا، ه(ل

' أ !،bو4ع'اء 'ه, ل 'ان' ك 'و( ل 'م'ن ث

.( ح4ين( 'ع(د' ب ه,' 'أ 'ب ن Cم,ن' 'ع(ل 'ت و'ل


In Sermon 25, Ali after the debacle of Yemen

The speech was delivered when:– Ali received successive news that Mu’awiya's men were

occupying cities and his own officers in Yemen (Ubaydullah ibn Abbas and Sa’id ibn Nimran) came to him in retreat after being overpowered by Busr ibn Abi Arta’. Ali was much perturbed by the slackness of his own men in jihad and their difference with his opinion.

– Other sources:1. Al-Masùdi, Muruj, III, 149; 2. Ibn Àbd Rabbih, al-Ìqd, III, 337;3. Ibn Àsakir, Ta'rikh, I, 305, X, 225;4. al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 383;5. al-Mufid, al-'Irshad,* 163;6. al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat II, 636.


In Sermon 25, page 67, Ali after the debacle of Yemen

I have been informed that Busr has overpowered Yemen.

By Allah, I am afraid these people would shortly snatch the country away: Through their unity on their wrong versus your dispersing from your right. And their obeying their leader’s falsehood, versus disobedience of your Imam in matters of Truth. And their fulfilling their pledge to their master while betraying you. And their appropriate work in their land versus your mischief in your land.

Even if I give you charge of a wooden bowl I fear you would run away with its handle.

O' Allah! I am tired of them and they are of me. I am weary of them and they are of me. Exchange them for me with better ones, and exchange me for them with an inferior one.

O' Allah melt their hearts as salt melts in water.

، 'يمن' ال 'ع' اطCل ق'د4 Z را ,س( ب (ت, 4ئ (ب ن, أ

الق'و(م' هؤ,الء4 nظ,ن'' ال و'الله4 %ي 4ن و'إ4ماع4هم( ت 4اج( ب ,م( (ك م4ن ,ون' ,د'ال ي س'

ع'ن( ,م( ق4ك nف'ر' و'ت ، 4هم( 'اط4ل ب ع'ل'ى,م( 4م'ام'ك إ ,م( 4ك 'ت 4م'ع(ص4ي و'ب ، ,م( ح'ق%ك

4م'ام'ه,م( إ 4ه4م( و'ط'اع'ت الح'ق%، في'ة' '(م'ان اال 4ه4م, د'ائ

' 4أ و'ب ، 'اط4ل4 الب في ، ,م( 4ك 'ت 'ان ي و'خ4 4ه4م( ب ص'اح4 4ل'ى إ

'د4ه4م( 4ال ب في 'ح4هم( 4ص'ال و'ب، ,م( اد4ك و'ف'س'

ق'ع(ب ع'ل'ى ,م( 'ح'د'ك أ (ت, 'م'ن (ت ائ 'و ف'ل4ه4 'ق'ت 4ع4ال ب 'ذ(ه'ب' ي 'ن( أ 'خ'ش4يت, .ل

و'م'لnوني، ,ه,م( (ت 4ل م'ل ق'د( %ي 4ن إ Cه,مC الل(د4لن4ي ب

' ف'أ 4م,وني، ئ و'س' ,ه,م( 4م(ت ئ و'س'ب4ي ,هم( (د4ل 'ب وأ ، (ه,م( م4ن Z (را ي خ' 4ه4م( ب

%ى، م4ن Z ا Cر ش'

,م'اث, ي 'م'ا ك 'ه,م( ,وب ق,ل م4ث( Cه,مC الل(م'اء ال ف4ي (ح, (م4ل ال


In Sermon 27, Ali after the Anbar incident

After the battle of Siffin, Mu'awiya had spread terror in the land, with killing and bloodshed all round.Mu’awiya deputized al-Ghamidi with a force of six thousand to attack Hit, al-Anbar and al-Mada'in. – At al-Anbar a contingent of 500 soldiers was posted as guard

from Ali’s side, but it could not resist the large army (6,000) of Mu'awiya.

– Of the 500 contingent only a hundred men stuck to their position and they did face the invaders stoutly and as far as they could.

– The enemy's force made an overwhelming attack on the 100, killing the leader Hassan al-Bakri along with 30 others.

– When the battle was over the enemy ransacked al-Anbar with impunity and left the city in shambles.


In Sermon 27, page 70, Ali after the Anbar incident

O' the likes of men who are not manly; just dreams of children and wit of secluded women! How I wish I had not seen you nor known you! By Allah, this acquaintance is none but sorrow leaving behind remorse.

May Allah fight you! You filled my heart with seepage and loaded my bosom with rage. You gave me a mouthful of grief, one after another.

You shattered my counsel by disobedience, so much so that Quraish started to say that the son of Abu Talib is brave but does not know the tactics of war.

Lo! Is any of them with more prowess in war or older in it than I am? I rose for it yet within my twenties, and here I am, having crossed my sixty!

Behold! He has unworthy opinion he who is disobeyed!

! ر4ج'ال' ' و'ال ج'ال4 الر% 'اه' ب 'ش( أ 'ا يwات4 ب ر' و'ع,ق,ول, '(ط(ف'ال4 اال ,وم, ل ح,

,م( ك ر'' أ 'م( ل %ي 'ن أ 'و'د4د(ت, ل ، الح4ج'ال4

ـ و'الله4 ـ Zم'ع(ر4ف'ة 'ع(ر4ف(كم( أ 'م( و'ل Z د'ما س' 'ت( 'عق'ب و'أ ،Z 'د'ما ن ت( Cج'ر.

! (ب4ي ق'ل ,م( '(ت م'ال 'ق'د( ل الله, ,م, 'ك 'ل ق'ات ،Z (ظا غ'ي ص'د(ر4ي ,م( (ت ن ح' و'ش' ،Z (حا ق'ي

4 Cه(م'ام الت ,غ'ب' ن 4ي ,م,ون ع(ت Cو'ج'ري4ي

) أ ر' Cع'ل'ي ,م( د(ت 'ف(س' و'أ ،Z (ف'اسا 'ن أ'ت( ق'ال Cى ح'ت 'ن، و'الخذ(ال 'ان4 4الع4ص(ي ب :bج,ل ر' ط'ال4ب 4ي ب

' أ (ن' اب C4ن إ bش) ق,ري. ب4 4الح'ر( ب 'ه, ل (م' ع4ل ' ال (ك4ن( و'ل ،bج'اع ش, ! nد 'ش' أ (ه,م( م4ن bحد' أ و'ه'ل( ,وه,م( 'ب أ لله4

Z م'ق'اما ف4يه'ا 'ق(د'م, و'أ ،Z اسا م4ر' 'ه'ا ل'غ(ت,! 'ل ب و'م'ا ف4يه'ا 'ه'ض(ت, ن 'ق'د( ل %ي؟ م4ن

ف(ت, Cذ'ر ق'د( أناذا وها ، ر4ين' الع4ش(! %ين' ت الس% ع'ل'ى

! ,ط'اع, ي ' ال 'م4ن( ل ي') أ ر' ال و'لك4ن(


In Sermon 29, About the pretext at time of jihad Slide I

After the battle of Nahrawan, Mu'awiya sent Dahhak al-Fihri with a force of 4,000 towards Kufa with orders to:– create disorder in the area, kill and keep busy in

bloodshed and destruction so that – Ali should find no rest or peace of mind.

al-Fihri set off shedding innocent blood and spreading destruction until he reached Tha`labiyyah.

In Tha`labiyyah, al-Fihri attacked a caravan of pilgrims going to Mecca and looted their wealth and belongings.

In Qutqutanah al-Fihri killed the nephew of Abdullah ibn Mas’ood, (the companion), together with his followers.


In Sermon 29, About the pretext at time of jihad Slide II

When Ali learned of this rack and ruin he called his men to battle to put a stop to the terror,

Ali’s people seemed slack, trying to avoid war. – Disgusted with their complacency Ali ascended the pulpit and

delivered the sermon (see next slide):He roused them to shame but also to motivate them to protect their country like valiant men, not to employ lame excuses.

As a result, Hujr ibn Adi al-Kindi with four thousand men overtook the enemy at Tadmur.

At Tadmur a small encounter took place with the enemy and as nighttime settled al-Fihri fled away with nineteen killed on his side

In al-Kindi’s force only two persons fell as martyrs.


In Sermon 29, page 72, About the pretext at time of jihad

O' people whose bodies are together but their hearts are apart. Your sweet speech softens even the stones while your action incites the enemy towards you.

You talk the talk in gatherings, yet when facing aggression you renege, saying to war "turn thou away, turn thou away!".

Disheartening to the person who calls upon you, for the call receives no heed.

Nor will there be solace for the one who deals with you.

Your excuses are amiss, like that of a debtor unwilling to pay.

Neither the meek can ward off oppression nor the Right can be achieved without exertion.

Which house besides this one will you protect? And under which Imam after me

would you go to fight?

'م4ع'ة, ت ,(مج( ال Cاس,، الن nه'ا ي' أ

، أه(و'اؤ,ه,م( 4ف'ة, 'ل ت ,مخ( ال ، ,ه,م( (د'ان أبالص%الب' Cمnالص ,وه4ي ي ,م 'الم,ك ك! '(ع(د'اء' اال ,م, ف4يك ,ط(م4ع, ي ,م( ,ك و'ف4ع(ل

: (ت' 'ي ك 'مج'ال4س4 ال ف4ي ,ون' 'ق,ول ت : ,م( (ت ق,ل 'ال, (ق4ت ال اء' ج' ف'إذ'ا ، (ت' 'ي و'ك

! م'ن( د'ع(و'ة, ت( Cع'ز م'ا 'اد4 ي ح' ح4يد4يم'ن( ق'ل(ب, اح' 'ر' ت اس( ' و'ال ، ,م( د'ع'اك

، ,م( اك ق'اس'ذ4ي د4ف'اع' ، 4يل' ض'ال

' 4أ ب 4يل, 'ع'ال أ(ن4 الدCي

(م' الضCي 'ع, 'من ي ' ال ، الم'ط,ول4! 4يل, الذCل

! Cي' أ (ج4د% 4ال ب ' 4ال إ nح'ق) ال ك, ,د(ر' ي ' و'الو'م'ع' ، 'ع,ون' 'م(ن ت ,م( د'ار4ك 'ع(د' ب د'ار

4ل,ون'؟ ,ق'ات ت 'ع(د4ي ب 4م'ام إ ى%' أ

,م,وه,، ت ر( غ'ر' م'ن( و'الله4 ور, الم'غ(ر, 4 ه(م Cالس' ب ف'از' ,م( 4ك ب ف'از' و'م(ن(

ف'ق'د( ,م( 4ك ب م'ى ر' و'م'ن( ، 'ب4 '(خ(ي اال'ف(و'ق' 4أ ب م'ى 'اص4ل ر' ن


In Sermon 69,, Ali about his followers’ behavior

See next slide please– Other sources:

1. Al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 438, 458;

2. (2) al-Ya`qubi, Ta'rikh, II, 184;

3. (3) al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat;

4. (4) al-Tabari, Ta'rikh,* VI, 3444, 3445, chronicles of the year 39.


In Sermon 69, page 99, Ali about his followers’ behavior

Whenever a Syrian force hovers over you, you hide like a lizard in its hole, or a badger in its den, shutting your doors in hiding.

By Allah, feeble is the person you uphold! And as if he has been hit by a broken arrow he who leads you.

By Allah, numerous you are within the courtyards, but quite few under the banner. With surety I know what can advance you and straighten up your state. But I shall not straighten up your state by marring myself.

May Allah disgrace you and discredit you. Lo! You hardly understand the right as you so understand the wrong, and hardly do you crush the wrong just as you crush the right

م4ن( bر (س4 م'ن ,م( (ك 'ي ع'ل Cط'ل' أ Cما ,ل ك nل, ك 'غ(ل'ق' أ 4 ام Cالش 'ه(ل4 أ ر4 'اس4 م'ن

(ج'ح'ر' و'ان 'ه,، 'اب ب ,م( (ك م4ن ج,ل ر'ج,ح(ر4ه'ا، في Cة4 الضCب (ج4ح'ار' ان

و4ج'ار4ه'ا ف4ي ,ع4 و'الضCب

! ,م,وه, ت 'ص'ر( ن م'ن( و'الله4 4يل, الذCلم4ي' ر, ف'ق'د( ,م( 4ك ب م4ي' ر, و'م'ن(

'اص4ل ن 'ف(و'ق' 4أ .ب

ف4ي b4ير 'ث 'ك ل ـ و'الله4 ـ ,م( Cك 4ن إ ، 'ات4 اي Cالر 'ح(ت' ت b4ل ق'لي ، 'اح'ات4 (ب ال

، ,م( 4ح,ك ,ص(ل ي 4م'ا ب b4م 'ع'ال ل %ي 4ن و'إ ' ال والله4 %ي و'لك4ن ، ,م( و'د'ك

' أ ,ق4يم, و'ي. 'ف(س4ي ن اد4 4ف(س' 'إ ب ,م( 'ح'ك 4ص(ال إ 'رى أ

(ع'س' 'ت و'أ ، ,م( خ,د,ود'ك الله, ع' 'ض(ر' أ !Cح'ق) ال 'ع(ر4ف,ون' ت ' ال ,م( ج,د,ود'ك

' ،و'ال 'اط4ل' (ب ال ,م, 4ك 'م'ع(ر4ف'ت ك,م, 4ك 4بط'ال 'إ ك 'اط4ل' (ب ال (ط4ل,ون' ,ب ت

!Cح'ق) ال


In Sermon 97, Ali about Kufa people

Although Allah gives time to the oppressor, He will not spare him. Allah watches him on the passage and the position of what can suffocate the throats – Other Sources:

Kitab Sulaym ibn Qays, 110; al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, II, 236; Ibn Qutaybah, Ùyun, II, 301; Abu Nuàym, Hilyah, I, 76; al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 161; al-Mufid, al-Majalis, 105; Sibt, Tadhkirah, 137; Ibn Àsakir, Ta'rikh, biographical account of Àli (A); al-Jahiz, al-Bayan, II, 68; al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 142; al-Tusi, al-'Amali,* 62


In Sermon 97, page 144, Ali about Kufa peopleO' you whose bodies are present but minds

are absent, whose hearts are apart. And whose rulers are burdened with them.

Your leader obeys Allah but you disobey him while the leader in Syria disobeys Allah but his followers obey him.

By Allah, I wish Mu'awiya exchanges you with me like Dinar with Dirham, so that he takes from me ten of you and gives me one of them.

O' people of Kufa, I have hampered in you three things and two others: You are deaf despite having ears, dumb despite speaking, and blind despite having eyes. Neither are you true supporters in combat nor dependable in distress.

May your hands be soiled! You are the like of camels whose herdsman has disappeared, if they are collected together from one side they disperse from the other.

'ة, 4ب (غ'ائ ال ، ,ه,م( (د'ان ب' أ اه4دة, Cالش nه'ا ي

' أ4ف'ة, 'ل ت م,خ( ـ( ال ، ,ه,م( ع,ق,ول (ه,م( ع'ن

، اؤ,ه,م( م'ر', أ 4هم( ب 'ل'ى (ت الم,ب ، 'ه(و'اؤ,ه,م( أ

,م( (ت 'ن و'أ الله' ,ط4يع, ي ,م( ,ك ب ص'اح4 4 ام Cالش 'ه(ل4 أ و'ص'اح4ب, 'ه,، 'ع(ص,ون ت

'ه,، ,ط4يع,ون ي و'ه,م( الله' 'ع(ص4ي يف'ني ص'ار' 'ة' م,ع'او4ي Cن' أ و'الله4 'و'د4د(ت, ل'خ'ذ' ف'أ ،4 ه'م 4الد%ر( ب 'ار4 الد%ين ف' ص'ر( ,م( 4ك ب Z ج,ال ر' 4ي 'ع(ط'ان و'أ ,م( (ك م4ن Zة ر' ع'ش' %ي م4ن

! (ه,م( م4ن'ث 'ال 4ث ب ,م( (ك م4ن 4يت, م,ن ,وف'ة4، (ك ال 'ه(ل' 'اأ ي

:bم, ,ك و'ب م'اع، س(' ذ'و,وأ ص,م� (ن4 'ي 'ت و'اثن

' ال (ص'ار، 'ب ذ'و,وأ bو'ع,م(ي 'م، 'ال ذ'و,وك4خ(و'ان, إ ' و'ال %ق'اء4، الل (د' ن ع4 ص4د(ق ار, 'ح(ر' أ

! 'ء4 'ال (ب ال (د' ن ع4 4ق'ة ث ! 4ل4 (ب 4 اال 'اه' ب 'ش( أ 'ا ي ,م( (د4يك 'ي أ 'ت( 'ر4ب ت

! م4ن( ج,م4ع'ت( Cم'ا ,ل ك ,ه'ا ع'ات ر, (ه'ا ع'ن غ'اب' ، آخ'ر' م4ن( ق'ت( Cف'ر' ت 4ب ج'ان


In Sermon 119, Ali on urging people for Jihad

When after the Battle of Siffin, Mu'awiya's forces began to attack various places in Ali's area, Ali asked the Iraqis to check them, but they declined on the plea that they would follow him if he himself came forward. – Thereupon Ali delivered this sermon, and clarified his limitations,

that if he himself went out it would be impossible to run the affairs of the country.

In such circumstances it would be folly to leave the center unguarded.

– But what could be anticipated from the one’s who had transformed the victory at hand in Siffin into disarray and opened the door for these debacles.

Other Sources:

– Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, I, 215 (th.f.l) .


In Sermon 119, page 176, Ali on urging people for Jihad

By Allah, had not I hoped for martyrdom by meeting with the enemy (and my meeting with him has been ordained), I would have secured my mount and got away from you, and would not have sought you so long as North and South differed.

Slanderers, recriminating, treacherous, and deceitful.

The plethora of your numbers won’t do because of the scarcity of your hearts’ unity.

I took you on the clear path ]of salvation[ whereon no one will perish except the one who does it to himself.

He who sticks to it would achieve Heaven and he who deviates from it goes to Hell.

ه'اد'ة' Cالش 4ي ائ ج' ر' ' 'و(ال ل و'الله4 Cح,م ق'د( 'و( و'ل ـ Cع'د,و) ال 4ي 4ق'ائ ل (د' ن ع4 Cم, ث 4ي 'اب ر4ك (ت, ب Cق'ر' ل ـ 4ق'اؤ,ه, ل ل4ي

م'ا ,م( ,ك ,ب 'ط(ل أ ' ف'ال ، ,م( (ك ع'ن خ'ص(ت, ش'. bم'ال و'ش' bوب, ن ج' 'ل'ف' ت اخ(

Cاد4ين' ي ح' ، 4ين' Cاب ع'ي 4ين' ط'عCان . وCاغ4ين' ر'

,م( ع'د'د4ك ة4 (ر' 'ث ك ف4ي 'اء' غ'ن ' ال Cه, 4ن إ . ,م( 4ك ,وب ق,ل '4ماع4 ت اج( Cة4 ق4ل م'ع'

الطCر4يق4 ع'ل'ى ,م( ,ك (ت ح'م'ل 'ق'د( ل C 4ال إ (ه'ا 'ي ع'ل 'ه(ل4ك, ي ' ال Cتي ال (و'اض4ح4 ال

، b4ك ه'الو'م'ن( Cة4، ن (ج' ال 4ل'ى ف'إ 'ق'ام' ت اس( م'ن4

! Cار4 الن 4ل'ى ف'إ Cل ز'


In Sermon 121, Ali in answer about Arbitration

A man from among the companions of Ali stood up and said, "O' Amir al-Mu'minin, you first stopped us from Arbitration and thereafter gave order for it. We do not know which of these two was more appropriate." Ali struck one hand over the other and said (See next slide):– Other Sources:

1. Ibn Àbd Rabbih, al-Ìqd, II, 165; 2. Ibn Talhah, Matalib, I, 100;3. al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 139;4. al-Mufid, al-'Ikhtisas, 153, quoted from Ibn Da'b's work;5. al-Tabarsi, al-'Ihtijaj, I, 273;6. al-Zamakhshari, Rabi`, I, 130;7. al-'Amidi, Ghurar;8. al-Tusi, al-'Amali,


In Sermon 121, page 177, Ali in answer about Arbitration

But with whom and to whom (do I talk). I want my healing from you but you are my disease, like an extractor of thorn with a thorn, for he knows that the other thorn would bend on itself.

O’ Allah, the doctors have despaired of this brutal disease, and tired are those with the rope of this burden.

Where are those, a) who were invited to Islam and they accepted, b) who read the Quran and decided according to it, c) who were exhorted to fight and they leapt towards it, as she-camels leap towards their young?

Unsheathing their swords, marshaled forward in groups and rows. Some having perished and some have survived.

'ن( أ ر4يد,, أ ؟ م'ن( 4ل'ى و'إ 4م'ن( ب و'لك4ن(

'اق4ش4 'ن ك د'ائي، ,م( (ت 'ن و'أ ,م( 4ك ب ,د'او4ي' أ Cن' أ 'م, 'ع(ل ي و'ه,و' 'ة4، و(ك C4الش ب 'ة4 و(ك Cالش

! م'ع'ه'ا (ع'ه'ا ض'لهذ'ا Cاء, 'ط4ب أ م'لCت( ق'د( Cه,مC اللع'ة, Cز( الن 'لCت4 و'ك الدCو4ي%، الدCاء4

4ي% ك Cالر ط'ان4 'ش( 4أ !ب

4ل'ى إ د,ع,وا Cذ4ين' ال (ق'و(م, ال (ن' 'ي أآن' (ق,ر( ال ,وا أ و'ق'ر' 4ل,وه,؟ ف'ق'ب 4 'م ال 4س( اال

'م,وه,؟ ح(ك' ف'أ

Cه,وا ف'و'ل (ج4ه'اد4 ال 4لى إ و'ه4يج,وا,وا 'ب ل و'س' 'د'ه'ا، و(ال

' أ %ق'اح' الل'خ'ذ,وا و'أ 'غ(م'اد'ه'ا، أ ,وف' ي nالس

Z ح(فا ز' Z ح(فا ز' '(ر(ض4 اال اف4 ط(ر'' 4أ ب

! ، ه'ل'ك' bع(ض' ب Z؟ ص'فwا Z و'ص'فwا. 'ج'ا ن bع(ص' و'ب


Be in Allah’s Care

Thank you and May God Bless you.

Dr. A.S. Hashim

Documents

Nahjul Balaaghah about Ali’s Contemporaries