Sermon 99: We praise Allah for what has happened...

About abstinence of the world and vicissitudes of time

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

في التزهيد من الدنيا

We praise Allah for what has happened and seek His succour in our affairs for what is yet to happen, and we beg Him for safety in the faith just as we beg Him for safety in our bodies.

نَحْمَدُهُ عَلَى مَا كَانَ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ مِنْ أَمْرِنا عَلَى مَا يَكُونُ، وَنَسْأَلُهُ الْمُعَافَاةَ في الاْدْيَانِ، كَمَا نَسَأَلُهُ الْمُعَافَاةَ فِي الاْبْدَانِ

O creatures of Allah! I advise you to keep away from this world which is (shortly) to leave you even though you do not like its departure, and which would make your bodies old even though you would like to keep them fresh. Your example and its example is like the travellers who travel some distance and then as though they traverse it quickly or they aimed at a sign and reached it at once. How short is the distance to the aim if one heads towards it and reaches it. And how short is the stage of one who has only a day which he cannot exceed while a swift driver is driving him in this world till he departs from it.

أُوصِيكُمْ عِبادَاللهِ بِالرَّفْضِ لِهذهِ الدُّنْيَا التَّارِكَةِ لَكُمْ وَإِنْ لَمْ تُحِبُّوا تَرْكَهَا، وَالْمُبْلِيَةِ لاَِجْسَامِكُمْ وَإِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ تَجْدِيدَهَا، فَإِنَّمَا مَثَلُكُمْ وَمَثَلُهَا كَسَفْر(1) سَلَكُوا سَبِيلاً فَكَأَنَّهُمْ قَدْ قَطَعُوهُ، وَأَمُّوا(2) عَلَماً فَكَأَنَّهُمْ قَدْ بَلَغُوهُ، وَكَمْ عَسَى الْـمُجْرِي إِلَى الْغَايَةِ(3) أَنْ يَجْرِيَ إِلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَبْلُغَهَا! وَمَا عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ بَقَاءُ مَنْ لَهُ يَوْمٌ لاَ يَعْدُوهُ، وَطَالِبٌ حَثِيثٌ يَحْدُوهُ(1) فِي الدُّنُيَا حَتَّى يُفَارِقَهَا !

So do not hanker after worldly honour and its pride, and do not feel happy over its beauties and bounties nor wail over its damages and misfortunes because its honour and pride will end while its beauty and bounty will perish, and its damages and misfortunes will pass away. Every period in it has an end and every living being in it is to die. Is not there for you a warning in the relics of the predecessors and an eye opener and lesson in your fore-fathers, provided you understand?

فَلاَ تَنَافَسُوا فِي عِزِّ الدُّنْيَا وَفَخْرِهَا، وَلاَ تَعْجَبُوا بَزِينَتِهَا وَنَعِيمِهَا، وَلاَ تَجْزَعُوا مِنْ ضَرَّائِهَا وَبُؤْسِهَا، فَإِنَّ عِزَّهَا وَفَخْرَهَا إِلَى انْقِطَاع، وَزِينَتَهَا وَنَعِيمَهَا إِلَى زَوَال، وَضَرَّاءَهَا وَبُؤْسَهَا إِلَى نَفَاد، وَكُلُّ مُدَّة فِيهَا إِلَى انْتِهَاء، وَكُلُّ حَيٍّ فِيهَا إِلَى فَنَاء. أَوَلَيْسَ لَكُمْ في آثَارِ الاْوَّلِينَ مُزْدَجَرٌ، وَفِي آبَائِكُمُ الْمَاضِينَ تَبْصِرَةٌ وَمُعْتَبَرٌ، إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ !

Do you not see that your predecessors do not come back and the surviving followers do not remain? Do you not observe that the people of the world pass mornings and evenings in different conditions? Thus, (somewhere) the dead is wept for, someone is being condoled, someone is prostrate in distress, someone is enquiring about the sick, someone is passing his last breath, someone is hankering after the world while death is looking for him, someone is forgetful but he is not forgotten (by death), and on the footsteps of the predecessors walk the survivors.

أَوَلَمْ تَرَوْا إِلَى الْمَاضِينَ مِنْكُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُونَ، وَإِلَى الْخَلَفِ الباقِي لاَ يَبْقَوْنَ! أوَلَسْتُمْ تَرَوْنَ أَهْلَ الدُّنْيَا يُمْسُونَ ويُصْبِحُونَ عَلَى أَحْوَال شَتَّى: فَمَيِّتٌ يُبْكَى، وَآخَرُ يُعَزَّى، وَصَرِيعٌ مُبْتَلىً، وَعَائِدٌ يَعُودُ، وَآخَرُ بِنَفْسِهِ يَجُودُ، وَطَالِبٌ لِلدُّنْيَا وَالْمَوْتُ يَطْلُبُهُ، وَغَافِلٌ وَليْسَ بِمَغْفُول عَنْهُ; وَعَلَى أَثَرِ الْمَاضِي مَا يَمْضِي الْبَاقِي !

Beware! At the time of committing evil deeds remember the destroyer of joys, the spoiler of pleasures, and the killer of desires (namely death). Seek assistance of Allah for fulfilment of His obligatory rights, and for (thanking Him) for His countless bounties and obligations.

أَلاَ فَاذْكُرُوا هَادِمَ اللَّذَّاتِ، وَمُنَغِّصَ الشَّهَوَاتِ، وَقَاطِعَ الاْمْنِيَاتِ، عِنْدَ الْمُسَاوَرَةِ لِلاْعْمَالِ الْقَبِيحَةِ، وَاسْتَعِينُوا اللهَ عَلَى أَدَاءِ وَاجِبِ حَقِّهِ، وَمَا لاَ يُحْصَى مِنْ أَعْدَادِ نِعَمِهِ وَإِحْسَانِهِ

Alternative Sources for Sermon 99

(1) Al-Saduq, Ma`ani,184 ;

(2) al-Saduq, Man la yahduruh, I,270 ;

(3) al-Tusi, al-'Amali, II, 50;

(4) al-Tabarsi, Mishkat,107 .

Sermon 100: Praise be to Allah Who spreads His bounty...

About the Holy Prophet and his Descendants

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

في رسول الله وأهل بيته

Praise be to Allah Who spreads His bounty throughout the creation, and extends His hand of generosity among them. We praise Him in all His affairs and seek His assistance for fulfilment of His rights. We stand witness that there is no god except He and that Muhammad (p.b.u.h.a.h.p. ) is His slave and Prophet. He sent him to manifest His commands and speak about His remembrance. Consequently, he fulfilled it with trustworthiness, and he passed away while on the right path.

الْحَمْدُ للهِ النَّاشِرِ فِي الْخَلْقِ فَضْلَهُ، وَالْبَاسِطِ فِيهمْ بِالْجُودِ يَدَهُ، نَحْمَدُهُ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ عَلَى رِعَايَةِ حُقُوقِهِ، وَنَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَإِلهَ غَيْرُهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، أَرْسَلَهُ بِأَمْرِهِ صَادِعاً، وَبِذِكْرِهِ نَاطِقاً، فَأَدَّى أَمِيناً، وَمَضَى رَشِيداً،

He left among us the standard of right. Whoever goes further from it goes out of Faith, whoever lags behind it is ruined. Whoever sticks to it would join (the right). Its guide is short of speech, slow of steps, and quick when he rises. When you have bent your necks before him and pointed towards him with your fingers his death would occur and would take him away.

They would live after him as long as Allah wills, till Allah brings out for you one who would collect you together and fuse you after diffusion. Do not place expectations in one who does not1 come forward and do not lose hope in one who is veiled, because it is possible that one of the two feet of the veiled one may slip while the other may remain sticking, till both return to position and stick.

وَخَلَّفَ فِينَا رايَةَ الْحَقِّ، مَنْ تَقَدَّمَهَا مَرَقَ، وَمَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْهَا زَهَقَ، وَمَنْ لَزِمَهَا لَحِقَ، دَلِيلُهَا مَكِيثُ الْكَلامِ، بَطِيءُ الْقِيَامِ سَرِيعٌ إِذَا قَامَ، فَإِذَا أَنْتُمْ أَلَنْتُمْ لَهُ رِقَابَكُمْ، وَأَشَرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ بِأَصَابِعِكُمْ، جَاءَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَذَهَبَ بِهِ، فَلَبِثْتُمْ بَعْدَهُ مَا شَاءَ اللهُ حَتَّى يُطْلِعِ اللهُ لَكُمْ مَنْ يَجْمَعُكُمْ وَيَضُمُّ نَشْرَكُمْ، فَلا تَطْمَعُوا فِي غَيْرِ مُقْبِل، وَلاَ تَيْأَسُوا مِنْ مُدْبِر، فَإِنَّ الْمُدْبِرَ عَسَى أَنْ تَزِلَّ بِهِ إِحْدَى قَائِمَتَيْهِ، وَتَثْبُتَ الاْخْرى، فَتَرْجِعَا حَتَّى تَثْبُتَا جَمِيعاً

Beware! The example of the descendants (Ali) of Muhammad - peace and blessing of Allah be upon him and his descendants - is like that of stars in the sky. When one star sets another one rises. So you are in a position that Allah's blessings on you have been perfected and He has shown you what you used to wish for.

أَلاَ إِنَّ مَثَلَ آلِ مُحَمَّد (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)، كَمَثَلِ نُجُومِ السَّماَءِ: إِذَا خَوَى نَجْمٌ طَلَعَ نَجْمٌ، فَكَأَنَّكُمْ قَدْ تَكَامَلَتْ مِنَ اللهِ فِيكُمُ الصَّنَائِعُ، وَأَتَاكُم مَا كُنْتُمْ تَأْمُلُونَ

Alternative Sources for Sermon 100

See `Abd al-Zahra', II, 198-199.

Notes

1. The implication is that if for the time being your expectations are not being fulfilled, you should not be disappointed. It is possible matters may improve, the impediments in the way of improvement may be removed and matters may be settled as you wish.

Sermon 101: Praise be to God, the First

About the vicissitudes of time

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

وهي من خطبته التي تشتمل على ذكر الملاحم

Praise to Allah, Who is the First before every first and the Last after every last. His Firstness necessitates that there is no (other) first before Him and His Lastness necessitates that there is no other last after Him. I do stand witness that there is no god but Allah both openly as well as secretly, with heart as well as with tongue.

الْحَمْدُ للهِ الاْوَّلِ قَبْلَ كُلِّ أَوِّل، وَالاْخِرِ بَعْدَ كُلِّ آخِر، بِأَوَّلِيَّتِهِ وَجَبَ أَنْ لاَ أَوَّلَ لَهُ، وَبِآخِرِيَّتِهِ وَجَبَ أَنْ لاَ آخِرَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ شَهَادَةً يُوَافِقُ فِيهَا السِّرُّ الاْعْلاَنَ، وَالْقَلْبُ اللِّسَانَ

O people, do not commit the crime of opposing me, do not be seduced into disobeying me and do not wink at each other with eyes when you hear me. By Allah, Who germinates the seed and blows the wind, whatever I convey to you is from the Prophet. Neither the conveyor (of Allah's message, i.e. the Prophet) lied nor the hearer misunderstood.

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِي، وَلاَ يَسْتَهْوِيَنَّكُمْ عِصْيَاني، وَلاَ تَتَرَامَوْا بِالاْبْصَارِ عِنْدَ مَا تَسْمَعُونَهُ مِنِّي

فَوَالَّذِي فَلَقَ الْحَبَّةَ، وَبَرَأَ النَّسَمَةَ، إِنَّ الَّذِي أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِهِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ (صلى الله عليه وآله)، مَا كَذَبَ الْمُبَلِّغُ، وَلاَ جَهِلَ السَّامِعُ،

Well, it is as though I see a misguided man1 who is shouting in Syria (ash-Sham) and has put his banners in the outskirts of Kufah. When his mouth would be fully opened, his recalcitrance would become intense and his steps on earth would become heavy (and tyrannical) then the disorder (so created) would cut the people with its teeth and war would rage with (all) its waves, days would become severe and night full of toil.

So when the crops grows and stands on stalks, its foam shoots forth and its lightning shines, the banners of misguiding rebellion would fire up and shoot forth like darkening night and surging sea. This and how many other storms would rend Kufah and gales would sweep over it, and shortly heads would clash with heads, the standing crop would be harvested and the harvest would be smashed.

لَكَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى ضِلِّيل قَدْ نَعَقَ بِالشَّامِ،وَفَحَصَ بِرَايَاتِهَ فِي ضَوَاحِي كُوفَانَ. فإِذَا فَغَرَتْ فَاغِرَتُهُ، وَاشْتَدَّتْ شَكِيمَتُهُ، وَثَقُلَتْ فِي الاْرْضِ وَطْأَتُهُ، عَضَّتِ الْفِتْنَةُ أَبْنَاءَهَا بِأَنْيَابِهَا، وَمَاجَتِ الْحَرْبُ بِأَمْوَاجِهَا، وَبَدَا مِنَ الاْيَّامِ كُلُوحُهَا، وَمِنَ اللَّيَالِي كُدُوحُهَا. فَإِذَا يَنَعَ زَرْعُهُ، وَقَامَ عَلَى يَنْعِهِ، وَهَدَرَتْ شَقَاشِقُهُ، وَبَرَقَتْ بَوَارِقُهُ، عُقِدَتْ رَايَاتُ الْفِتَنِ الْمُعْضِلَةِ، وَأَقْبَلْنَ َالْلَيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ، وَالْبَحْرِ الْمُلْتَطِمِ. هذا، وَكَمْ يَخْرِقُ الْكُوفَةَ مِنْ قَاصِف، وَيَمُرُّ عَليْهَا مِنْ عَاصِف !وَعَنْ قَلِيل تَلْتَفُّ الْقُرُونُ بِالْقُرُونِ، وَيُحْصَدُ الْقَائِمُ، وَيُحْطَمُ الْـمَحْصُودُ

Alternative Sources for Sermon 101

(1) Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 48;

(2) Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, (b.j.r);

(3) al-Saduq, al-'Amali;

(4) al-'Amidi, Ghurar,329 ;

(5) al-Karajiki, Ma`dan,226 ;

(6) al-Bayhaqi, al-Mahasin, 41;

(7) al-Jahiz, al-Hayawan, II, 90.

Notes

1. Some people have taken this to refer to Mu`awiyah and others to `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.

Sermon 102: On that day Allah will collect...

On the Day of Judgement

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

تجري هذا المجرى

وفيها ذكر يوم القيامة وأحوال الناس المقبلة

On that day Allah will collect on it the anteriors and the posteriors, to stand in obedience for exaction of accounts and for award of recompense for deeds. Sweat would flow upto their mouths like reins while the earth would be trembling under them. In the best condition among them would be he who has found a resting place for both his feet and an open place for his breath.

وَذلِكَ يَوْمٌ يَجْمَعُ اللهُ فِيهِ الاْوَّلِينَ والاْخِرِينَ لِنِقَاشِ الْحِسَابِ وَجَزَاءِ الاْعْمَالِ، خُضُوعاً، قِياماً، قَدْ أَلْجَمَهُمُ الْعَرَقُ وَرَجَفَتْ بِهِمُ الاْرْضُ فَأَحْسَنُهُمْ حَالاً مَنْ وَجَدَ لِقَدَمَيْهِ مَوْضِعاً، وَلِنَفْسِهِ مُتَّسَعاً

A part of the same sermon about future troubles (fitan)

منها:في حال مقبلة على الناس

The troubles are like a dark night. Horses would not stand for (facing) them nor would their banners turn back. They would approach in full reins and ready with saddles. Their leader would be driving them and the rider would be exerting (them). The trouble-mongers are a people whose attacks are severe. Those who would fight them for the sake of Allah would be a people who are low in the estimation of the proud, unknown in the earth but well known on the sky. Woe to you O Basrah, when an army of Allah's infliction would face upon you without (raising) dust of cries. Your inhabitants would then face bloody death and dire hunger.

فِتَنٌ كَقِطَعِ الْلَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ لاَ تَقُومُ لَهَا قَائِمَةٌ، وَلاَ تُرَدُّ لَهَا رَايَةٌ، تَأْتِيكُمْ مَزْمُومَةً مَرْحُولَةً يَحْفِزُهَا قَائِدُهَا وَيَجْهَدُهَا رَاكِبُهَا، أَهْلُهَا قَوْمٌ شَدِيدٌ كَلَبُهُمْ، قَلِيلٌ سَلَبُهُمْ يُجَاهِدُهُمْ فِي اللهِ قَوْمٌ أَذِلَّةٌ عِنْدَ الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ، فِي الاْرْضِ مَجْهُولُونَ، وَفِي السَّماءِ مَعْرُوفُونَ. فَوَيْلٌ لَكِ يَا بَصْرَةُ عِنْدَ ذلِكَ، مِنْ جَيْشٍ مِنْ نِقَمِ الله! لاَ رَهَجَ لَهُ، وَلاَ حَسَّ، وَسَيُبْتَلَى أَهْلُكِ بِالْمَوْتِ الاْحْمَرِ، وَالْجُوعِ الاْغْبَرِ

Alternative Sources for Sermon 102

(1) Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I,153 ;

(2) al-Harrani, Tuhaf,131 ;

(3) al-Kulayni, Furu` al-Kafi, IV, 31;

(4) al-Mufid, al-Majalis, 95;

(5) al-Tusi, al-'Amali, I ,197 .

Sermon 103: O people, look at the world

About abstemiousness and fear of Allah

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

في التزهيد في الدنيا

O people! Look at the world like those who abstain from it, and turn away from it. By Allah, it would shortly turn out its inhabitants and cause grief to the happy and the safe. That which turns and goes away from it never returns and that which is likely to come about is not known or anticipated. Its joy is mingled with grief. Herein men's firmness inclines towards weakness and languidness. The majority of what pleases you here should not mislead you because that which would help you would be little.

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، انْظُرُوا إِلى الدُّنْيَا نَظَرَ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِيهَا، الصَّادِفِينَ عَنْهَا؛ فَإِنَّهَا وَاللهِ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ تُزِيلُ الثَّاوِيَ السَّاكِنَ، وَتَفْجَعُ الْمُتْرَفَ الاْمِنَ، لاَ يَرْجِعُ مَا تَوَلَّى مَنْهَا فَأَدْبَرَ، وَلاَ يُدْرَى مَا هُوَ آتٍ مِنْهَا فَيُنْتَظَرَ. سُرُورُهَا مَشُوبٌ بِالْحُزْنِ، وَجَلَدُالرِّجَالِ فَيهَا إِلَى الضَّعْفِ وَالْوَهْنِ فَلا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ كَثْرَةُ مَا يُعْجِبُكُمْ فِيهَا لِقِلَّةِ مَا يَصْحَبُكُمْ مِنْهَا

Allah may shower His mercy on him who ponders and takes lesson thereby, and when he takes lesson he achieves enlightenment. Whatever is present in this world would shortly not exist, while whatever is to exist in the next world is already in existence. Every countable thing would pass away. Every anticipation should be taken to be coming up and every thing that is to come up should be taken as just near.

رَحِمَ اللهُ امْرَأً تَفَكَّرَ فَاعْتَبَرَ، واعْتَبَرَ فَأَبْصَرَ، فَكَأَنَّ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ مِنَ الدٌّنْيَا عَنْ قَلِيل لَمْ يَكُنْ، وَكَأَنَّ مَا هُوَ كَائِنٌ مِنَ الاْخِرَةِ عَمَّا قَلَيل لَمْ يَزَلْ، وَكُلُّ مَعْدُود مُنْقَض، وَكُلُّ مُتَوَقَّع آت، وَكُلُّ آت قَرِيبٌ دَان

A part of the same sermon on the attributes of a learned person

منها: في صفة العالم

Learned is he who knows his worth. It is enough for a man to remain ignorant if he knows not his worth. Certainly, the most hated man with Allah is he whom Allah has left for his own self. He goes astray from the right path, and moves without a guide. If he is called to the plantation of this world he is active, but if he is called to the plantation of the next world he is slow. As though what he is active for is obligatory upon him whereas in whatever he is slow was not required of him.

الْعَالِمُ مَنْ عَرَفَ قَدْرَهُ، وَكَفَى بِالْمَرءِ جَهْلاً أَلاَّ يَعْرِفَ قَدْرَهُ; وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَبْغَضَ الرِّجَالِ إِلَى اللهِ لَعَبْدٌ وَكَّلَهُ اللهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ، جَائِرٌ عَنْ قَصْدِ السَّبِيلِ، سَائِرٌ بَغَيْرِ دَلِيل، إِنْ دُعِيَ إِلَى حَرْثِ الدُّنْيَا عَمِلَ، أوْ إِلَى حَرْثِ الاْخِرَةِ كَسِلَ! كَأَنَّ مَا عَمِلَ لَهُ وَاجِبٌ عَلَيْهِ، وَكَأَنَّ مَا وَنَى فِيهِ سَاِقطٌ عَنْهُ !

A part of the same sermon concerning future times

منها: في آخر الزمان

There would be a time wherein only a sleeping (inactive) believer would be safe (such that) if he is present he is not recognised but if he is absent he is not sought after. These are the lamps of guidance and banners of night journeys. They do not spread calumnies nor divulge secrets, nor slander. They are those for whom Allah opens the doors of His mercy and keeps off from them the hardships of His chastisement.

وَذلِكَ زَمَانٌ لاَ يَنْجُو فِيهِ إِلاَّ كُلُّ مٌؤْمِنٍ نُوَمَةٍ إِنْ شَهِدَ لَمْ يُعْرَفْ، وَإِنْ غَابَ لَمْ يُفْتَقَدْ، أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى، وَأَعْلاَمُ السُّرَى لَيْسُوا بِالْمَسَايِيحِ وَلاَ الْمَذَايِيعِ الْبُذُرِ أُولَئِكَ يَفْتَحُ اللهُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِهِ، وَيَكْشِفُ عَنْهُمْ ضَرَّاءَ نِقْمَتِهِ

O people! A time will come to you when Islam would be capsized as a pot is capsized with all its contents. O people, Allah has protected you from that He might be hard on you but He has not spared you from being put on trial. Allah the Sublimest of all speakers has said:

Verily in this are signs and We do only try (the people). (Qur'an, 23:30)

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، سَيَأْتي عَلَيْكُمْ زَمَانٌ يُكْفَأُ فِيهِ الاْسْلاَمُ، كَمَا يُكْفَأُ الاْنَاءُ بِمَا فِيهِ. أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَعَاذَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْ يَجُورَ عَلَيْكُمْ، وَلَمْ يُعِذْكُمْ مِنْ أَنْ يَبْتَلِيكُمْ، وَقَدْ قَالِ جَلَّ مِنْ قَائِل: (إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاَيَات وَإِنْ كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ).

as-Sayyid ar-Radi says: As regards Amir al-mu'minin's words "kullu mu'minin nuwamah" (every sleeping believer), he implies thereby one who is talked of little and causes no evil. And the word "al-masayih" is the plural of "misyah". He is one who spreads trouble among people through evils and calumnies. And the word "al-madhayi" is the plural of "midhya". He is one who on hearing of an evil about some one spreads it and shouts about it. And "al-budhur" is the plural of "badhur". He is one who excels in foolishness and speaks rubbish.

قال السيد الشريف: أما قوله (عليه السلام): «كلّ مؤمِن نُوَمَة» فإنما أَراد به: الخامل الذكر القليل الشر. والمساييح: جمع مِسياح، وهو: الذي يسيح بين الناس بالفساد والنمائم. والمذاييع: جمع مِذْياع، وهو: الذي إذا سمع لغيره بفاحشة أذاعها، ونوّه بها. والبُذُرُ: جمع بَذُور وهو: الذي يكثر سفهه ويلغو منطقه

Alternative Sources for Sermon 103

(1) Al-Kulayni, Rawdah,139 ;

(2) al-Harrani, Tuhaf,143 ;

(3) al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi, II,225 ;

(4) Ibn Qutaybah, `Uyun, II,352 ;

(5) al-Zamakhshari, Rabi`, I,219 ;

(6) Ibn Talhah, Matalib, I,202 ;

(7) al-Qadi al-Quda`i, Dustur, 48;

(8) al-Khuza`i, al-Fitan, see(9)

(9) Ibn Tawus, al-Malahim, 27;

(10) Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, V, 131.

Sermon 104: God Almighty sent Muhammad

About the condition of the people before the proclamation of prophethood and the Prophet's performance in spreading his message

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

Certainly Allah Almighty sent Muhammad (S) as Prophet while no one among the Arabs read the Book nor claimed prophethood or revelation. He had to fight those who disobeyed him in company with those who followed him, leading them towards their salvation and hastening with them lest death overtook them. When any weary person sighed or a distressed one stopped he stood at him till he got him his aim, except the worst in whom there was not virtue at all. Eventually he showed them their goal and carried them to their places (of deliverance). Consequently, their affairs moved on and their hand-mill began to rotate (i.e. position gained strength), their spears got straightened.

أمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنَّ اللهَ سُبْحَانَهُ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً(صلى الله عليه وآله)، وَلَيْسَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ يَقْرَأُ كِتَاباً، وَلاَ يَدَّعِي نُبُوَّةً وَلاَ وَحْياً، فَقَاتَلَ بِمَنْ أطَاعَهُ مَنْ عَصَاهُ، يَسُوقُهُم إِلَى مَنْجَاتِهِمْ، وَيُبَادِرُ بِهِمُ السَّاعَةَ أَنْ تَنْزِلَ بِهِمْ، يَحْسَرُ الْحَسَيرُ، وَيَقِفُ الْكَسِيرُ فَيُقِيمُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يُلْحِقَهُ غَايَتَهُ، إِلاَّ هَالِكاً لاَ خَيْرَ فِيهِ، حَتَّى أَرَاهُمْ مَنْجَاتَهُمْ وَبَوَّأَهُمْ مَحَلَّتَهُمْ، فَاسْتَدَارَتْ رَحَاهُمْ، وَاسْتَقَامَتْ قَنَاتُهُمْ

By Allah, I was among their rear-guard till they turned back on their sides and were flocked in their rope. I never showed weakness or lack of courage, nor did I betray or become languid. By Allah, I shall split the wrong till I extract right from its flanks.

وَايْمُ اللهِ، لَقَدْ كُنْتُ مِنْ سَاقَتِهَا حَتَّى تَوَلَّتْ بِحَذَافِيرِهَا، وَاسْتَوْسَقَتْ فِي قِيَادِهَا، مَا ضَعُفْتُ، وَلاَ جَبُنْتُ، وَلاَ خُنْتُ، وَلاَ وَهَنْتُ، وَايْمُ اللهِ، لاَبْقُرَنَّ الْبَاطِلَ حَتَّى أُخْرِجَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ خَاصِرَتِهِ !

As-Sayyid ar-Radi says: I have quoted a selected part of this sermon before, but since I have found in the narration that this part differs from the previous one, more or less, I deemed it necessary to quote it again here.

قال السيد الشريف الرضي: وقد تقدم مختار هذه الخطبة، إلاّ أنني وجدتها في هذه الرواية على خلاف ما سبق من زيادة ونقصان، فأوجبت الحال إثباتها ثانية

Alternative Sources for Sermon 104

(1) Al-Mufid, al-'Irshad,154 ;

(2) al-Nasa'i, al-Khasa'is, 70.

Sermon 105: Then Allah sent Muhammad

In eulogy of the Holy Prophet

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

في بعض صفات الرسول الكريم وتهديد بني أمية وعظة الناس

Then Allah sent Muhammad (S) as a witness, giver of good tidings and warner, the best in the universe as a child and the most chaste as a grown up man, the purest of the purified in conduct, the most generous of those who are approached for generosity.

حَتَّى بَعَثَ اللهُ مُحَمَّداً(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم)، شَهِيداً، وَبَشِيراً، وَنَذِيراً، خَيْرَ الْبَرِيَّةِ طِفْلاً، وَأَنْجَبَهَا كَهْلاً، أَطْهَرَ الْمُطَهَّرِينَ شِيمَةً، وَأَجْوَدَ الْمُسْتَمْطَرِينَ دِيمَةً

About the Ummayads

بنو أمية

This world did not appear sweet to you in its pleasures and you did not secure milk from its udders except after having met it when its nose-rein was trailing and its leather girth was loose. For certain people its unlawful items were like bent branches (laden with fruit) while its lawful items were far away, not available.

By Allah, you would find it like a long shade upto a fixed time. So the earth is with you without let or hindrance and your hands in it are extended while the hands of the leaders are held away from you. Your swords are hanging over them while their swords are held away from you.

فَمَا احْلَوْلَتْ الدُّنْيَا لَكُمْ فِي لَذَّتِهَا، وَلاَ تَمَكَّنْتُمْ مِنْ رَضَاعِ أَخْلاَفِهَا إِلاَّ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا صَادَفْتُمُوهَا جَائِلاً خِطَامُهَا قَلِقاً وَضِينُهَا، قَدْ صَارَ حَرَامُهَا عِنْدَ أَقْوَامٍ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السِّدْر الْـمَخْضُودِ وَحَلاَلُهَا بَعِيداً غَيْرَ مَوْجُودٍ، وَصَادَفْتُمُوهَا، وَاللهِ، ظِلاًّ مَمْدُوداً إِلَى أَجَلٍ مَعْدُودٍ، فَالاْرْضُ لَكُمْ شَاغِرَةٌ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ فِيهَا مَبْسُوطَةٌ، وَأَيْدِي الْقَادَةِ عَنْكُمْ مَكْفُوفَةٌ، وَسُيُوفُكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ مَسَلَّطَةٌ، وَسُيُوفُهُمْ عَنْكُمْ مَقْبُوضَةٌ

Beware that for every blood (that is shed) there is an avenger and for every right there is a claimant. The avenger for our blood is like the judge for his own claim, and it is Allah who is such that if one seeks Him, then He does not disappoint him, and one who runs away from Him cannot escape Him. I swear by Allah, O Banu Umayyah, shortly you will see it (i.e. your possession) in the hands of others and in the house of your enemy. Know that the best looking eye is that whose sight catches virtue and know that the best hearing ear is that which hears good advice and accepts it.

أَلاَ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ دَم ثَائِراً، وَلَكُلِّ حَقٍّ طَالِباً، وَإِنَّ الثَّائِرَ فِي دِمَائِنَا كَالْحَاكِمِ في حَقِّ نَفْسِهِ، وَهُوَ اللهُ الَّذِي لاَ يُعْجِزُهُ مَنْ طَلَبَ، وَلاَ يَفُوتُهُ مَنْ هَرَبَ. فَأُقْسِمُ بِاللهِ، يَا بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ، عَمَّا قَلِيل لَتَعْرِفُنَّهَا فِي أَيْدِي غَيْرِكُمْ وَفِي دَارِ عَدُوِّكُمْ! أَلاَ إِنَّ أبْصَرَ الاْبْصَارِ مَا نَفَذَ فِي الْخَيْرِ طَرْفُهُ! أَلاَ إِنَّ أَسْمَعَ الاْسْمَاعِ مَا وَعَى التَّذْكِيرَ وَقَبِلَهُ !

Exhortation (About the functions of the Imams)

وعظ الناس

O people! Secure light from the flame of lamps of the preacher who follows what he preaches and draw water from the spring which has been cleaned of dirt.

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، اسْتَصْبِحُوا مِنْ شُعْلَةِ مِصْبَاح وَاعِظ مُتَّعِظ، وَامْتَاحُوا مِنْ صَفْوِ عَيْن قَدْ رُوِّقَتْ مِنَ الْكَدَرِ

O creatures of Allah, do not rely on your ignorance, do not be obedient to your desires, because he who stays at this place is like one who stays on the brink of a bank undermined by water carrying ruin on his back from one portion to the other following his opinion which he changes (one after the other). He wants to make adhere what cannot adhere and to bring together what cannot keep together. So fear Allah and do not place your complaints before him who cannot redress your grievance, nor undo with his opinion what has been made obligatory for you.

عِبَادَ اللهِ، لاَ تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى جَهَالَتِكُمْ، وَلاَ تَنْقَادُوا لاِهْوَائِكُمْ، فَإِنَّ النَّازِلَ بِهذَا الْمَنْزِلِ نَازِلٌ بِشَفَا جُرُف هَار، يَنْقُلُ الرَّدَى عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ مِنْ مَوْضِع إِلَى مَوْضَع، لِرَأْي يُحْدِثُهُ بَعْدَ رَأْي، يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُلْصِقَ مَا لاَ يَلْتَصِقُ، وَيُقَرِّبَ مَا لاَ يَتَقَارَبُ! فَاللهَ اللهَ أَنْ تَشْكُوا إِلَى مَنْ لاَ يُشْكِي شَجْوَكُمْ، وَلاَ يَنْقُضُ بِرَأْيِهِ مَا قَدْ أَبْرَمَ لَكُمْ

Certainly, there is no obligation on the Imam except what has been devolved on him from Allah, namely to convey warnings, to exert in good advice, to revive the sunnah, to enforce penalties on those liable to them and to issue shares to the deserving. So hasten towards knowledge before its vegetation dries up and before you turn yourselves away from seeking knowledge from those who have it. Desist others from the unlawful and abstain from it yourself, because you have been commanded to abstain (yourself) before abstaining (others).

إِنَّهُ لَيسَ عَلَى الاْمَامِ إِلاَّ مَا حُمِّلَ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِ: الاْبْلاَغُ فَي الْمَوْعِظَةِ، وَالاجْتِهَادُ فِي النَّصِيحَةِ، وَالاْحْيَاءُ لِلسُّنَّةِ، وَإِقَامَةُ الْحُدُودِ عَلَى مُسْتَحِقِّيهَا، وَإِصْدَارُ السُّهْمَانِ عَلَى أَهْلِهَا. فَبَادِرُوا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ قَبْلِ تَصْوِيحِ نَبْتِهِ، وَمِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُشْغَلُوا بَأَنْفُسِكُمْ عَنْ مُسْتَثَارِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ عِنْدِ أَهْلِهِ، وَانْهَوْا عَنْ المُنْكَرِ وَتَنَاهَوْا عَنْهُ، فَإِنَّمَا أُمِرْتُمْ بالنَّهْي بَعْدَ التَّنَاهِي !

Alternative Sources for Sermon 105

(1) Al-Mufid, al-'Irshad,160 ;

(2) `Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, Tafsir, I,384 .

Sermon 106: Praise belong to Allah, who established Islam...

About Islam

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

وفيها يبيّن فضل الاسلام ويذكر الرسول الكريم ثمّ يلوم أصحابه

Praise belong to Allah, who established Islam and made it easy for those who approach it and gave strength to its columns against any one who tries to overpower it. So Allah made it (a source of) peace for him who clings to it, safety for him who enters it, argument for him who speaks about it, witness for him who fights with its help, light for him who seeks light from it, understanding for him who provides it, sagacity for him who exerts, a sign (of guidance) for him who perceives, sight for him who resolves, lesson for him who seeks advice, salvation for him who testifies, confidence for him who trusts, pleasure for him who entrusts, and shield for him who endures.

الْحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي شَرَعَ الاْسْلاَمَ فَسَهَّلَ شَرَائِعَهُ لِمَنْ وَرَدَهُ، وَأَعَزَّ أَرْكَانَهُ عَلَى مَنْ غَالَبَهُ، فَجَعَلَهُ أَمْناً لِمَنْ عَلِقَهُ، وَسِلْماً لِمَنْ دَخَلَهُ، وَبُرْهَاناً لِمَنْ تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ، وَشَاهِداً لِمَنْ خَاصَمَ بِهِ، وَنُوراً لِمَنِ اسْتَضَاءَ بِهِ، وَفَهْماً لِمَنْ عَقَلَ، وَلُبّاً لَمِنْ تَدَبَّرَ، وَآيَةً لِمَنْ تَوَسَّمَ، وَتَبْصِرَةً لِمَنْ عَزَمَ، وَعِبْرَةً لِمَنِ اتَّعَظَ، وَنَجَاةً لِمَنْ صَدَّقَ، وَثِقَةً لِمَنْ تَوَكَّلَ، وَرَاحَةً لِمَنْ فَوَّضَ، وَجُنَّةً لِمَنْ صَبَرَ

It is the brightest of all paths, the clearest of all passages. It has dignified minarets, bright highways, burning laps, prestigious field of activity, and high objective. It has a collection of race horses. It is approached eagerly. Its riders are honourable. Testimony (of Allah, Prophet etc.) is its way, good deeds are its minarets, death is its extremity, this world is its race-course, the Day of Judgement is its horses and Paradise is its point of approach.

فَهُوَ أبْلَجُ الْمَنَاهجِ وَ اوضِحُ الْوَلاَئِجِ مُشْرَفُ الْمَنَارِ مُشْرِقُ الْجَوَادِّ مُضِيءُ الْمَصَابِيحِ، كَرَيمُ الْمِضْمارِ رَفِيعُ الْغَايَةِ، جَامِعُ الْحَلْبَةِ مُتَنَافِسُ السُّبْقَةِ، شَرِيفُ الْفُرْسَانِ. التَّصْدِيقُ مِنْهَاجُهُ، وَالصَّالِحَاتُ مَنَارُهُ، وَالْمَوْتُ غَايَتُهُ، وَالدُّنْيَا مِضْمارُهُ، وَالْقِيَامَةُ حَلْبَتُهُ، وَالْجَنَّةُ سُبْقَتُهُ

A part of the same sermon about the Holy Prophet

منها: في ذكر النبي (صلى الله عليه وآله)

The Prophet lighted flames for the seeker and put bright signs for the impeded. So he is Thy trustworthy trustee, Thy witness on the Day of Judgement, Thy deputy as a blessing and Thy messenger of truth as mercy. My God, distribute to him a share from Thy Justice and award him multiples of good by Thy bounty. My God, heighten his construction over the constructions of others, honour him when he comes to Thee, dignify his position before Thee, give him honourable position, and award him glory and distinction, and bring us out (on the Day of Judgement) among his party, neither ashamed, nor repentant, nor deviators, nor pledge-breakers, nor strayers, nor misleaders nor seduced.

حَتَّى أَوْرَى قَبَساً لِقَابِس، وَأَنَارَ عَلَماً لِحَابِس، فَهُوَ أَمِينُكَ الْمَأْمُونُ، وَشَهِيدُكَ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ، وَبَعِيثُكَ نِعْمةً، وَرَسُولُكَ بِالْحقِّ رَحْمَةً

اللَّهُمَّ اقْسِمْ لَهُ مَقْسَماً مِنْ عَدْلِكَ، وَاجْزِهِ مُضَعَّفَاتِ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ. اللَّهُمَّ أَعْلِ عَلَى بَنَاءِ الْبَانِينَ بَنَاءَهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ لَدَيْكَ نُزُلَهُ، وَشَرِّفْ عِنْدَكَ مَنْزِلَهُ، وَآتِهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ، وَأَعْطِهِ السَّنَاءَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَاحْشُرْنَا فِي زُمْرَتِهِ غَيْرَ خَزَايَا، وَلاَ نَادِمِينَ، وَلاَ نَاكِبِينَ، وَلاَ نَاكِثِينَ، وَلاَ ضَالِّينَ، وَلاَ مَفْتُونِينَ

As-Sayyid ar-Radi says: This sermon had already appeared earlier but we have repeated it here because of the difference between the two versions.

قال الشريف: وقد مضى هذا الكلام فيما تقدم، إلاّ أنّنا كرّرناه هاهنا لما في الروايتين من الاختلاف

A part of the same sermon addressed to his followers

منها: في خطاب أصحابه

By bounty of Allah over you, you have acquired a position where even your slave maids are honoured, your neighbours are treated well. Even he over whom you enjoy no distinction or obligation honours you. Even those people fear you who had no apprehension of attack from you or any authority over you. You now see pledges to Allah being broken but do not feel enraged although you fret and frown on the breaking of the traditions of your forefathers. Allah's matters have been coming to you, and going from and again coming back to you; but you have made over your place to wrong-doers and thrown towards them your responsibilities, and have placed Allah's affairs in their hands. They act in doubts and tread in (fulfilment of) desires. By Allah, even if they disperse you under every star Allah would surely collect you on the day that would be worst for them.

وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُمْ منْ كَرَامَةِ اللهِ لَكُمْ مَنْزِلَةً تُكْرَمُ بِهَا إِمَاؤُكُمْ، وَتُوصَلُ بِهَا جِيرَانُكُمْ، وَيُعَظِّمُكُمْ مَنْ لاَ فَضْلَ لَكُمْ عَلَيهِ، وَلاَ يَدَلَكُمْ عِنْدَهُ، وَيَهَابُكُمْ مَنْ لاَ يَخَافُ لَكُمْ سَطْوَةً، وَلاَ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِمْرَةٌ، وَقَدْ تَرَوْنَ عُهُودَ اللهِ مَنْقُوضَةً فَلاَ تَغْضَبُونَ! وَأَنْتُمْ لِنَقْضِ ذِمَمِ آبَائِكُمْ تَأْنَفُونَ! وَكَانَتْ أَمُورُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ تَرِدُ، وَعَنْكُمْ تَصْدُرُ، وَإِلَيْكُمْ تَرْجِعُ، فَمَكَّنْتُمُ الظَّلَمَةَ مِنْ مَنْزِلَتِكُمْ، وَأَلْقَيْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَزِمَّتَكُمْ، وَأَسْلَمْتُمْ أُمُورَ اللهِ فِي أَيْدِيهمْ، يَعْمَلُونَ بِالشُّبُهَاتِ، وَيَسِيرُونَ في الشَّهَوَاتِ، وَايْمُ اللهِ، لَوْ فَرَّقُوكُمْ تَحْتَ كُلِّ كَوْكَب، لَجَمَعَكُمُ اللهُ لِشَرِّ يَوْم لَهُمْ !

Alternative Sources for Sermon 106

(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 Nu`aym, Hilyah, I, 74, 75;

(7) al-Saduq, al-Khisal, I,108 ;

(8) al-Qadi al-Quda`i, Dustur,121 ;

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