Sermon 019 – Amír al-mu’minín was delivering a lecture from the pulpit of (the mosque of) Kúfah
Amír al-mu’minín was delivering a lecture from the pulpit of (the mosque of) Kúfah when al-Ash`ath ibn Qays (1) objected and said, “O’ Amír al-mu’minín this thing is not in your favour but against you.” (2) Amír al-mu’minín looked at him with anger and said: How do you know what is for me and […]
Sermon 015 – After resuming the land grants made by `Uthmán ibn `Affán, he said:
By Alláh, even if I had found that by such money women have been married or slave-maids have been purchased I would have resumed it because there is wide scope in dispensation of justice, and he who finds it hard to act justly should find it harder to deal with injustice. Back to list […]
Sermon 031 – When before the commencement of the Battle of Jamal Amír
al-mu’minín sent `Abdulláh ibn `Abbás to az-Zubayr ibn al-`Awwám with the purpose that he should advise him back to obedience, he said to him on that occasion: Do not meet Talhah (ibn `Ubaydilláh). If you meet him you will find him like an unruly bull whose horns are turned towards its ears. He rides […]
Sermon 017 – About those who sit for dispensation of justice among people but are not fit for it.
Among(1) all the people the most detested before Alláh are two persons. One is he who is devoted to his self. So he is deviated from the true path and loves speaking about (foul) innovations and inviting towards wrong path. He is therefore a nuisance for those who are enamoured of him, is himself […]
Sermon 014 – This also is in condemnation of the people of Basrah
Your earth is close to the sea and away from the sky. Your wits have become light and your minds are full of folly. You are the aim of the archer, a morsel for the eater and an easy prey for the hunter.
Sermon 013 – Condemning the people of Basrah(1)
You were the army of a woman and in the command of a quadruped. When it grumbled you responded, and when it was wounded (hamstrung) you fled away. Your character is low and your pledge is broken. Your faith is hypocrisy. Your water is brackish. He who stays with you is laden with sins […]
Sermon 016 – Delivered when allegiance was sworn to him at Medina
The responsibility for what I say is guaranteed and I am answerable for it. He to whom experiences have clearly shown the past exemplary punishments (given by Alláh to peoples) is prevented by piety from falling into doubts. You should know that the same troubles have returned to you which existed when the Prophet […]
Sermon 009 – Cowardice of the people of Jamal
They (1) thunder like clouds and shone like lightning but despite both these things they exhibited cowardice, while we do not thunder till we pounce upon the foe nor do we show flow (of words) until we have not virtually rained. (1). About the people of Jamal (i.e. the enemy in the battle of Jamal) […]
Sermon 010 – About Talhah and az-Zubayr
Beware! Satan (1) has collected his group and assembled his horse-men and foot-soldiers. Surely, with me is my sagacity. I have neither deceived myself nor ever been deceived. By Alláh I shall fill to the brim for them a cistern from which I alone would draw water. They can neither turn away from it […]
Sermon 011 – Delivered in the Battle of Jamal when Amír al-mu’minín gave the standard to his son Muhammad ibn al-hanafiyyah (1)
Mountains (2) may move from their position but you should not move from yours. Grit your teeth. Lend to Alláh your head (in fighting for Alláh, give yourself to Alláh). Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Have your eye on the remotest foe and close your eyes (to their numerical majority). And keep […]