Creation of Universe

Age of Ignorance, Household of Muhammad, hypocrites

Shaqshaqiya (literally, "roar of the camel"), in which Alī lays out his claim to the caliphate and his superiority over his predecessors

His far-sightedness and his steadfastness in Islam

When Abbas and Abu Sufyan offered to pay allegiance to him for the caliphate after Muhammad''s death

On being advised not to chase Talha and Zubayr for fighting

The hypocrites

About Zubayr at a time for which it was appropriate

Cowardice of his enemies in the Battle of the Camel

Talha and Zubayr

When he gave the standard of the Battle of the Camel to his son Mohammad

When, after his victory in the Battle of the Camel, one of his comrades said, "I wish my brother had been present and he too would have seen what success and victory God had given you"

Condemning the people of Basra

Also in condemnation of the people of Basra

After resuming the land grants made by Uthman

Delivered when the people of Madina swore allegiance to him

About those who sit for dispensation of justice among people but are not fit for it

In disparagement of contradictory views among Muslim jurists

Treachery and hypocrisy of al-Ashath al-Kindi

Death and taking lessons from it

Advice to keep light in this world

About those who accused him of killing Uthman

Keeping aloof from envy, and good behavior towards kin

Exhorting people for jihad

When his men were overpowered by Muawiya''s men

People after Muhammad''s death, the settlement between Muawiya and Amr ibn al-As

The transient nature of this world and importance of the next world

About those who found pretexts at the time of jihad

In connection with Uthman''s killing

Before the Battle of the Camel, he sent Ibn Abbas to Zubayr to advise him back to obedience

Disparagement of the world and categories of people

At the time of setting for the Battle of the Camel

Exhorting people to fight against the people of Syria

After arbitration

Warning the people of Nahrawan of their fate

His steadfastness and precedence in Islam

In disparagement of those in doubt

In disparagement of those who shrink from fighting

In response to the slogan of Kharijites: "Judgment belongs to God alone"

In condemnation of treason

Heart''s desires and hopes

In response to a suggestion of war

When Masqala defected to Syria

The greatness of God and the lowliness of this world

When he decided to march towards Syria

Calamities befalling Kufa

At the time of marching towards Syria

God''s greatness and sublimity

Admixture of right and wrong

When his men were prevented from taking water from the River Euphrates

Reward and punishment in the next world

On the description of the Day of Sacrifice

On the swear of allegiance

When his men showed impatience on his delay in giving them permission to fight in Siffin

Steadiness on the battlefield

Muawiya swallows whatever he gets and craves for what he does not get

Addressing the Kharijites

When he was told that the Kharijites had crossed the bridge of Nahrawan

When he was told that the Kharijites had been totally annihilated

Do not fight the Kharijites after me!

When he was warned of being killed by deceit

Transience of this world

Decline and destruction of this world

Attributes of God

Ways of fighting

On hearing the account of what took place in Saqifah of Bani-Sa''ida

When Mohammad ibn Abi Bakr, governor of Egypt, was overpowered and killed

Admonishing his companions for careless behavior

In the morning of the day he was fatally struck with a sword

In condemnation of the people of Iraq

Praise for Muhammad

When Hasan and Husayn interceded on behalf of Marwan

When the elective committee (or shura) decided to swear allegiance to Uthman

When he learned that the Umayyads blamed him for killing Uthman

Preaching and counseling

Banu Umayyad

One of his supplications

Prophecy of astrologers

Shortcomings of women

Way of preaching and counseling

World and its people

Al-Gharra (literally, "the brilliant"), in which Ali enjoined people to piety

Amr ibn al-As

Perfection of God and counseling

Preparing for the hereafter by following God''s commandments

Faithful and unfaithful believers

Factions of community

Holy Prophet

God''s attributes and some advice

Al-Ashbaah (literally, "the skeletons"), in which Ali talked about the creation of the universe

When people decided to swear allegiance to him after the murder of Uthman

Annihilation of the Kharijites, mischief mongering of the Umayyads, vastness of his own knowledge

God''s praise and eulogy of the prophets

Age of Ignorance and Muhammad''s efforts to disseminate God''s message

In eulogy of Muhammad

Admonishing his companions

Oppression of the Umayyads

Abstinence of the world and vicissitudes of time

Muhammad and his descendants

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام) في بيان قدرة الله وانفراده بالعظمة وأمر البعث

[قدرة اللّه ] كُلُّ شَيْء خَاشِعٌ لَهُ، وَكُلُّ شَيْء قَائِمٌ بِهِ: غِنى كُلِّ فَقِير، وَعِزُّ كُلِّ ذَلِيل، وَقُوَّةُ كُلِّ ضَعِيف، وَمَفْزَعُ كُلِّ مَلْهُوف، مَنْ تَكَلَّمَ سَمِعَ نُطْقَهُ، وَمَنْ سَكَتَ عَلِمَ سِرَّهُ، وَمَنْ عَاشَ فَعَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ، وَمَنْ مَاتَ فَإِلَيْهِ مُنْقَلَبُهُ.

Everything submits to Him and everything exists by Him. He is the satisfaction of every poor, dignity of the low, energy for the weak and shelter for the oppressed. Whoever speaks, He hears his speaking, and whoever keeps quit, He knows his secret. On Him is the livelihood of everyone who lives, and to Him returns whoever dies.

لَمْ تَرَكَ الْعُيُونُ فَتُخْبِرَ عَنْكَ، بَلْ كُنْتَ قَبْلَ الْوَاصِفِينَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، لَمْ تَخُلُقِ الْخَلْقَ لِوَحْشَة، وَلاَ اسْتَعْمَلْتَهُمْ لِمَنْفَعَة، وَلاَ يَسْبِقُكَ مَنْ طلَبْتَ، وَلاَ يُفْلِتُكَ مَنْ أَخَذْتَ، وَلاَ يَنْقُصُ سُلْطَانَكَ مَنْ عَصَاكَ، وَلاَ يَزِيدُ في مُلْكِكَ مَنْ أَطَاعَكَ، وَلاَيَرُدُّ أَمْرَكَ مَنْ سَخِطَ قَضَاءَكَ، وَلاَيَسْتَغْنِي عَنْكَ مَنْ تَوَلَّى عَنْ أَمْرِكَ. كُلُّ سِرٍّ عِنْدَكَ عَلاَنِيَةٌ، وَكُلُّ غَيْب عِنْدَكَ شَهَادَةٌ.

(O Allāh!) The eyes have not seen Thee so as to be aware of Thee, but Thou wert before the describers of Thy creation. Thou didst not create the creation on account of loneliness, nor didst make them work for gain. He whom Thou catchest cannot go farther than Thee, and he whom Thou holdest cannot escape Thee. He who disobeys Thee does not decrease Thy authority, and he who obeys Thee does not add to Thy Might. He who disagrees with Thy judgement cannot turn it, and he who turns away from Thy command cannot do without Thee. Every secret before Thee is open and for Thee every absent is present.

أَنْتَ الاْبَدُ فَلاَ أَمَدَ لَكَ، وَأَنْتَ الْمُنْتَهَى فَلاَ مَحِيصَ عَنْكَ، وَأَنْتَ الْمَوْعِدُ فَلاَ مَنْجَى مِنْكَ إلاَّ إِلَيْكَ، بِيَدِكَ نَاصِيَةُ كُلِّ دَابَّة، وَإِلَيْكَ مَصِيرُ كُلِّ نَسَمَة. سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَعْظَمَ شَأْنَكَ! سُبْحَانَكَ مَا أَعْظَمَ مَا نَرَى مِنْ خَلْقِكَ! وَمَا أصْغَرَ كُلَّ عَظِيمَة فِي جَنْبِ قُدْرَتِكَ! وَمَا أَهْوَلَ مَا نَرَى مِنْ مَلَكُوتِكَ! وَمَا أَحْقَرَ ذلِكَ فِيَما غَابَ عَنَّا مِنْ سُلْطَانِكَ! وَمَا أَسْبَغَ نِعَمَكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا، وَمَا أَصْغَرَهَا فِي نِعَمِ الاْخِرَةِ!

Thou art everlasting; there is no end to Thee. Thou art the highest aim, there is no escape from Thee, Thou art the promised (point of return) from which there is no deliverance except towards Thee. In Thy hand is the forelock of every creature and to Thee is the return of every living being. Glory to Thee! How great is Thy creation that we see, but how small is this greatness by the side of Thy Might. How awe-striking is Thy realm that we notice, but how humble is this against what is hidden from us out of Thy authority. How extensive are Thy bounties in this world, but how small are they against the bounties of the next world.

[ومنها في الملائكة الكرام :] مِنْ مَلاَئِكَة أَسْكَنْتَهُمْ سَمَاوَاتِكَ، وَرَفَعْتَهُمْ عَنْ أَرْضِكَ; هُمْ أَعْلَمُ خَلْقِكَ بِكَ، وَأَخْوَفُهُمْ لَكَ، وَأَقْرَبُهُمْ مِنْكَ; لَمْ يَسْكُنُوا الاْصْلاَبَ، وَلَمْ يُضَمَّنُوا الاْرْحَامَ، وَلَمْ يُخْلَقُوا ﴿مِن مَّاءٍ مَّهِينٍ﴾، وَلَمْ يَتَشَعَّبْهُمْ ﴿رَيْبَ الْمَنُونِ﴾ ;وَإِنَّهُمْ عَلَى مَكَانِهمْ مِنْكَ، وَمَنْزِلَتِهِمْ عِنْدَكَ، وَاسْتِجْمَاعِ أَهْوَائِهِمْ فِيكَ، وَكَثْرَةِ طَاعَتِهِمْ لَكَ، وَقِلَّةِ غَفْلَتِهِمْ عَنْ أَمْرِكَ، لَوْ عَايَنُوا كُنْهَ مَا خَفِيَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْكَ لَحَقَّرُوا أَعْمَالَهُمْ، وَلَزَرَوْا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ، وَلَعَرَفُوا أَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَعْبُدُوكَ حَقَّ عِبَادَتِكَ، وَلَمْ يُطِيعُوكَ حَقَّ طَاعَتِكَ.

[A part of the same sermon about the Angels :] Thou (O Allāh) made angels reside in Thy skies and placed them high above from Thy earth. They have the most knowledge about Thee and Thy whole creation, the most fearing from Thee, and the nearest to Thee. They never stayed in loins nor were retained in wombs. They were not created “from man water (semen)” (Qur’ān, 32:8; 77:20). They were not dispersed by “vicissitudes of time” (Qur’ān, 52:30). They are on their places (distinct) from Thee and in their positions near Thee. Their desires are concentrated in Thee. Their worship for Thee is much. Their neglect from Thy command is little. If they witness what remains hidden about Thee they would regard their deeds as very little they would criticise themselves and would realize that they did not worship Thee according to Thy right for being worshipped and did not obey Thee as Thou hast the right for being obeyed.

[عصيان الخلق :] سُبْحَانَكَ خَالِقاً وَمَعْبُوداً! بِحُسْنِ بَلاَئِكَ عِنْدَ خَلْقِكَ، خَلَقْتَ دَاراً، وَجَعَلْتَ فِيهَا مَأْدُبـَةً ، مَشْرَباً وَمَطْعَماً، وَأَزْوَاجاً وَخَدَماً، وَقُصُوراً، وَأَنْهَاراً، وَزُرُوعاً، وَثِمَاراً. ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْتَ دَاعِياً يَدْعُو إِلَيْهَا، فَلاَ الدَّاعِيَ أَجَابُوا، وَلاَ فِيَما رَغَّبْتَ رَغِبُوا، وَلاَ إِلَى مَا شَوَّقْتَ إِلَيْهِ اشْتَاقُوا. أَقْبَلُوا عَلَى جِيفَة قَدْ افْتَضَحُوا بِأَكْلِهَا، وَاصْطَلَحُوا عَلَى حُبِّهَا، وَمَنْ عَشِقَ شَيْئاً أَعْشَى بَصَرَهُ، وَأَمْرَضَ قَلْبَهُ، فَهُوَ يَنْظُرُ بِعَيْن غَيْرِ صَحِيحَة، وَيَسْمَعُ بَأُذُن غَيْرِ سَمِيعَة، قَدْ خَرَقَتِ الشَّهَوَاتُ عَقْلَهُ، وَأَمَاتَتِ الدُّنْيَا قَلْبَهُ، وَوَلِهَتْ عَلَيْهَا نَفْسُهُ،

[About the bounties and guidance of Allāh, and those who are ungrateful :] Glorified art Thou, the Creator, the Worshipped, on account of Thy good trials of Thy creatures. Thou created a house (the Paradise) and provided in it for feasting, drinks, foods, spouses, servants, places, streams, plantations and fruits. Then Thou sent a messenger to invite towards it, but the people did not respond to the caller, and did not feel persuaded to what Thou persuaded them nor showed eagerness towards what Thou desired them to feel eager. They jumped on the carcass (of this world), earned shame by eating it and became united on loving it. When one loves a thing it blinds him and sickens his heart. Then he sees but with a diseased eye, hears but with unhearing ears. Desires have cut asunder his wit, and the world has made his heart dead, while his mind is all longing for it.

فَهُوَ عَبْدٌ لَهَا، وَلِمَنْ فِي يَدَيْهِ شَيْءٌ مِنْهَا، حَيْثُـمَا زَالَتْ زَالَ إِلَيْهَا، وَحَيْثُما أَقْبَلَتْ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهَا; لاَ يَنْزَجِرُ مِنَ اللهِ بِزَاجِر، وَلاَيَتَّعِظُ مِنْهُ بِوَاعِظ، وَهُوَ يَرَى الْمَأْخُوذِينَ عَلَى الْغِرَّةِ، حَيْثُ لاَ إِقَالَةَ وَلاَ رَجْعَةَ، كَيْفَ نَزَلَ بِهمْ مَا كَانُوا يَجْهَلُونَ، وَجَاءَهُمْ مِنْ فِرَاقِ الدُّنْيَا مَا كَانُوا يَأْمَنُونَ، وَقَدِمُوا مِنَ الاْخِرَةِ عَلَى مَا كَانُوا يُوعَدُونَ. فَغَيْرُ مَوْصُوف مَا نَزَلَ بِهمْ.

Consequently, he is a slave of it and of everyone who has any share in it. Wherever it turns, he turns towards it and wherever it proceeds, he proceeds towards it. He is not desisted by any desister from Allāh, nor takes admonition from any preacher. He sees those who have been caught in neglect whence there is neither rescission nor reversion. Whatever they were ignoring has befallen them, separation from this world, from which they took themselves safe, has come to them, and they have reached that in the next world which they had been promised. Whatever has befallen them cannot be described.

اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَحَسْرَةُ الْفَوْتِ، فَفَتَرَتْ لَهَا أَطْرَافُهُمْ، وَتَغَيَّرَتْ لَهَا أَلْوَانُهُمْ. ثُمَّ ازْدَادَ الْمَوْتُ فِيهِمْ وُلُوجاً، فَحِيلَ بَيْنَ أَحَدِهِمْ وَبَيْنَ مَنْطِقِهِ، وَإِنَّهُ لَبَيْنَ أَهْلِهِ يَنْظُرُ بِبَصَرِهِ، وَيَسْمَعُ بِأُذُنِهِ، عَلَى صِحَّة مِنْ عَقْلِهِ، وَبَقَاء مِنْ لُبِّهِ، يُفَكِّرُ فِيمَ أَفْنَى عُمْرَهُ، وَفِيمَ أَذْهَبَ دَهْرَهُ! وَيَتَذَكَّرُ أَمْوَالاً جَمَعَهَا، أَغْمَضَ فِي مَطَالِبِهَا، وَأَخَذَهَا مِنْ مُصَرَّحَاتِهَا وَمُشْتَبِهَاتِهَا، قَدْ لَزِمَتْهُ تَبِعَاتُ جَمْعِهَا، وَأَشْرَفَ عَلَى فِرَاقِهَا، تَبْقَى لِمَنْ وَرَاءَهُ يَنْعَمُونَ فِيهَا، وَيَتَمَتَّعُونَ بِهَا، فَيَكُونُ الْمَهْنَأُ لِغَيْرِهِ، وَالْعِبءُ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ. وَالْمَرْءُ قَدْ غَلِقَتْ رُهُونُهُ بِهَا، فَهُوَ يَعَضُّ يَدَهُ نَدَامَةً عَلَى مَا أَصْحَرَ لَهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ، وَيَزْهَدُ فِيَما كَانَ يَرْغَبُ فِيهِ أَيَّامَ عُمُرِهِ، وَيَتَمَنَّى أَنَّ الَّذِي كَانَ يَغْبِطُهُ بِهَا وَيَحْسُدُهُ عَلَيْهَا قَدْ حَازَهَا دُونَهُ!

Pangs of death and grief for losing (this world) have surrounded them. Consequently their limbs become languid and their complexion changes. Then death increases its struggle over them. In some one it stands in between him and his power of speaking although he lies among his people, looking with eyes, hearing with his ears, with full wits and intelligence. He then thinks over how he wasted his life and in what (activities) he passed his time. He recalls the wealth he collected when he had blinded himself in seeking it, and acquired it from fair and foul sources. Now the consequences of collecting it have overtaken him. He gets ready to leave it. It would remain for those who are behind him. They would enjoy it and benefit by it. It would be an easy acquisition for others but a burden on his back, and the man cannot get rid of it. He would thereupon bite his hands with teeth out of shame for what was disclosed to him about his affairs at the time of his death. He would dislike what he coveted during the days of his life and would wish that he who envied him on account of it and felt jealous over him for it should have amassed it instead of he himself.

فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْمَوْتُ يُبَالِغُ فِي جَسَدِهِ حَتَّى خَالَطَ لِسَانُهُ سَمْعَهُ، فَصَارَ بَيْنَ أَهْلِهِ لاَ يَنْطِقُ بِلِسَانِهِ، وَلاَ يَسْمَعُ بِسَمْعِهِ: يُرَدِّدُ طَرْفَهُ بِالنَّظَرِ في وجُوهِهِمْ، يَرَى حَرَكَاتِ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ، وَلاَ يَسْمَعُ رَجْعَ كَلاَمِهِمْ. ثُمَّ ازْدَادَ الْمَوْتُ الْتِيَاطاً بِهِ، فَقُبِضَ بَصَرُهُ كَمَا قُبِضَ سَمْعُهُ، وَخَرَجَتِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ، فَصَارَ جِيفَةً بَيْنَ أَهْلِهِ، قَدْ أوْ حَشُوا مِنْ جَانِبِهِ، وَتَبَاعَدُوا مِنْ قُرْبِهِ. لاَ يُسْعِدُ بَاكِياً، وَلاَ يُجِيبُ دَاعِياً. ثُمَّ حَمَلُوهُ إِلَى مَخَطٍّ فِي الاْرْضِ، فَأَسْلَمُوهُ فِيهِ إِلَى عَمَلِهِ، وَانْقَطَعُوا عَنْ زَوْرَتِهِ.

Death would go on affecting his body till his ears too would behave like his tongue (and lose functioning). So he would lie among his people, neither speaking with his tongue nor hearing with his ears. He would be rotating his glance over their faces, watching the movements of their tongues, but not hearing their speaking. Then death would increase its sway over it, and his sight would be taken by death as the ears had been taken and the spirit would depart from his body. He would then become a carcass among his own people. They would feel loneliness from him and get away from near him. He would not join a mourner or respond to a caller. Then they would carry him to a small place in the ground and deliver him in it to (face) his deeds. They abandoned visiting him.

[القيامة :] حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ الْكِتَابُ أَجَلَهُ، وَالاْمْرُ مَقَادِيرَهُ، وَأُلْحِقَ آخِرُ الْخَلْقِ بِأَوَّلِهِ، وَجَاءَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللهِ مَا يُرِيدُهُ مِنْ تَجْدِيدِ خَلْقِهِ، أَمَادَ السَّماءَ وَفَطَرَهَا ، وَأَرَجَّ الاْرْضَ وَأَرْجَفَهَا، وَقَلَعَ جِبَالَها وَنَسَفَهَا، وَدَكَّ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضاً مِنْ هَيْبَةِ جَلاَلَتِهِ وَمَخُوفِ سَطْوَتِهِ، وَأَخْرَجَ مَنْ فِيهَا، فَجَدَّدَهُمْ بَعْدَ إِخْلاَقِهمْ، وَجَمَعَهُمْ بَعْدَ تَفْرِيِقِهِم، ثُمَّ مَيَّزَهُمْ لِمَا يُريدُهُ مَنْ مَسْأَلَتِهِمْ عَنْ خَفَايَا الاْعْمَالِ وَخَبَايَا الاْفْعَالِ، وَجَعَلَهُمْ فَرِيقَيْنِ: أَنْعَمَ عَلَى هؤُلاَءِ وَانْتَقَمَ مِنْ هؤُلاَءِ.

[About the Day of Judgement :] Till whatever is written as ordained approaches its end, the affairs complete their destined limits, the posteriors join the anteriors and whatever Allāh wills takes place in the shape of resurrection of His creation. Then He would convulse the sky and split it. He would quake the earth and shake it. He would root out the mountains and scatter them. They would crush each other out of awe of His Glory and fear of His Dignity. He would take out everyone who is in it. He would refresh them after they had been worn out and collect them after they had been separated. Then He would set them apart for questioning about the hidden deeds and secret acts. He would then divide them into two groups, rewarding one and punishing the other.

فَأَمَّا أَهْلُ الطَّاعَةِ فَأَثَابَهُمْ بِجِوَارِهِ، وَخَلَّدَهُمْ في دَارِهِ، حَيْثُ لاَ يَظْعَنُ النُّزَّالُ، وَلاَ تَتَغَيَّرُ بِهِمُ الْحَالُ، وَلاَ تَنُوبُهُمُ الاْفْزَاعُ، وَلاَ تَنَالُهُمُ الاْسْقَامُ، وَلاَ تَعْرِضُ لَهُمُ الاْخْطَارُ، وَلاَ تُشْخِصُهُمُ الاْسْفَارُ.

As regards the obedient people He would reward them with His nearness and would keep them for ever in His house from where those who settle therein do not move out. Their position would not undergo change, fear would not overtake them, ailments would not befall them, dangers would not affect them and journey would not force them (from place to place).

وَأَمَّا أَهْلُ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَأَنْزَلَهُمْ شَرَّ دَار، وَغَلَّ الاْيْدِيَ إِلَى الاْعْنَاقِ، وَقَرَنَ النَّوَاصِيَ بِالاْقْدَامِ، وَأَلْبَسَهُمْ سَرَابِيلَ الْقَطِرَانِ، وَمُقَطَّعَاتِ النِّيرَانِ، فِي عَذَاب قَدِ اشْتَدَّ حَرُّهُ، وَبَاب قَدْ أُطْبِقَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ، فِي نَار لَهَا كَلَبٌ وَلَجَبٌ، وَلَهَبٌ سَاطِعٌ، وَقَصِيفٌ هَائِلٌ، لاَ يَظْعَنُ مُقِيمُهَا، وَلاَ يُفَادَى أَسِيرُهَا، وَلاَ تُفْصَمُ كُبُولُهَا. لاَ مُدَّةَ لِلدَّارِ فَتَفْنَى، وَلاَ أَجَلَ لِلْقَوْمِ فَيُقْضَى.

As for people of sins, He would settle them in the worst place, would bind their hands with the necks, bind the forelocks with feet and would clothe them in shirts of tar and dresses cut out of flames. They would be in punishment whose heat would be severe, door would be closed on the inmates—in fire which is full of shouts and cries and rising flames and fearful voices. Its inmate does not move out of it, its prisoner cannot be released by ransom and its shackles cannot be cut. There is no fixed age for this house so that it might perish, or period for its life that might pass away.

[ومنها في ذكر النبي صلى الله عليه وآله :] قَدْ حَقَّرَ الدُّنْيَا وَصَغَّرَهَا، وَأَهْوَنَ بَهَا وَهَوَّنَهَا، وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ اللهَ تعالى زَوَاهَا عَنْهُ اخْتِيَاراً، وَبَسَطَهَا لِغَيْرِهِ احْتِقَاراً، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا بِقَلْبِهِ، وَأَمَاتَ ذِكْرَهَا عَنْ نَفْسِهَ، وَأَحَبَّ أَنْ تَغِيبَ زِينَتُهَا عَنْ عَيْنِهِ، لِكَيْلاَ يَتَّخِذَ مِنْهَا رِيَاشاً، أوْ يَرْجُوَفِيهَا مَقَاماً. بَلَّغَ عَنْ رَبِّهِ مُعْذِراً، وَنَصَحَ لاِمَّتِهِ مُنْذِراً، وَدَعاَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ مُبَشِّراً، وَخَوَّفَ مِنَ النَّارِ مُحَذِّراً.

[A part of the same sermon about the Holy Prophet :] He treated this world disdainfully and regarded it low. He held it contemptible and hated it. He realized that Allāh kept it away from him with intention and spread it out for others by way of contempt. Therefore, he remained away from it by his heart, banished its recollection from his mind and wished that its attraction should remain hidden from his eye so that he should not acquire any clothing from it, or hope for staying in it. He conveyed from Allāh the pleas (against committing sins), counselled his people as a warner (against Divine chastisement), called (people) towards Paradise as conveyor of good tidings.

[أهل البيت (عليه السلام)] نَحْنُ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ، وَمَحَطُّ الرِّسَالَةِ، وَمُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ، وَمَعَادِنُ الْعِلْمِ، وَيَنَابِيعُ الْحُكْمِ، نَاصِرُنا وَمُحِبُّنَا يَنْتَظِرُ الرَّحْمَةَ، وَعَدُوُّنا وَمُبْغِضُنَا يَنْتَظِرُ السَّطْوَةَ.

[About the Descendants of the Holy Prophet :] We are the tree of prophethood, staying place of (Divine) Message, descending place of angels, mines of knowledge and the sources of wisdom. Our supporter and lover awaits mercy while our enemy and he who hates us awaits wrath.

Extrait d’un discours où il expose la Puissance de Dieu, de sa Magnificence sans égal et de la Résurrection.

[La Puissance Divine :] Tout est soumis à Dieu sans Lequel rien ne subsiste. II est la richesse de tout pauvre, la force de tout homme humilié, le soutien de tout faible et le refuge de tout persécuté. Il entend la voix de celui qui parle et connaît le secret de celui qui se tait. Les vivants lui doivent leur pain quotidien et les morts retournent chez Lui.

[O Dieu], Les yeux ne T’ont pas vu pour parler de Toi, car Tu as été avant ceux qui songent à Te décrire. Tu n’as pas créé tes créatures pour fuir Ta solitude et Tu ne les as pas utilisées pour en tirer profit. Personne ne saurait devancer Ton appel et personne ne pourrait échapper à Ta prise. Ton autorité ne souffre de diminution quand on Te désobéit et Ton royaume ne subit une augmentation quand on T’obéiî. L’ordre que Tu as établi ne saurait être dérangé par celui qui repousse Tes décrets. Même les rebelles ne peuvent pas se passer de Ta Providence. Tout secret est évident pour Toi. Toi seul connais ce qui se trouve dans l’Au-delà.

Tu es l’éternité qui transcende le temps. Tu es la fin inéluctable, Tu es le lieu commun auquel nul ne saurait échapper sans se trouver devant Toi , Dans Ta main se trouvent les toupets de toute âme dont la destinée tend vers Toi. Gloire à Toi, combien Tu es sublime! Qu’elle est grande Ta création que nous contemplons! Et quelle est petite toute œuvre grandiose des hommes en face de Ta puissance! Fantastique est la magnificence que nous voyons dans Ton royaume. Mais elle n’est rien en comparaison de ce que nous ne voyons pas! Qu’elles sont nombreuses Tes bontés ici-bas, mais qu’elles sont insignifiantes en comparaison de celles que Tu gardes pour le Paradis.

[Les anges :] Tu as fait habiter Tes anges dans Tes cieux, les relevant de Ta terre. Ils Te connaissent beaucoup mieux que Tes autres créatures. Ils Te craignent le plus et sont les plus proches de Toi. Ils ne sont issus ni de reins d'hommes, ni d'utérus de femmes. Ils ne sont pas nés d’une «goutte méprisable». Les malheurs du temps ne les ont pas séparés. Ils conservent leurs places et leurs rangs auprès de Toi. Leurs sentiments concordent en Toi. En plus de leur grande obéissance, ils restent attirés à Toi. Si Tu les mettais au courant de ce qu’ils n’ont pas vu encore de Ta splendeur, ils déprécieraient leurs œuvres, mépriseraient leurs défauts et sauraient qu’ils ne T’ont pas adoré convenablement et qu’ils ne T’ont pas obéi plainement.

[Rebellions des créatures :] Gloire à Toi, Créateur et adoré! Par Ta Prudence, Tu as créé une demeure et invité à un festin: des vivres et des boissons, des couples et des serviteurs, des palais, des fleuves, des plantes, des fruits; puis Tu as envoyé un héraut inviter les gens qui ne l’acceptèrent pas, ne voulurent accomplir Tes désirs et n’aspirèrent pas à ce que Tu leur as offert. Ils se réunirent autour d’une charogne et furent couverts d’opprobre en la mangeant. Ils se sont mis d’accord à l’aimer, car celui qui se passionne pour une chose est frappse de cécité et du mal de cœur. Il regarde d’un œil anormal et entend par une oreille sourde. Les passions percent son intelligence et troublent son âme; et la vie terrestre tue son cœur.

Il devient esclave de ses passions qui s’évanouissent entre ses mains, mais il les suit là où il les trouve. Il ne se laisse pas repousser par les réprimandes et ne tire aucune leçon quand on le prêche. Il voit ceux qui tombent de mort subite, où il n’y a ni faux propos ni retour. Il voit que ces morts subissent ce qu’ils ignoraient, quittent le monde malgré leurs espérances de mener une longue vie... Ce qui leur arrive est indescriptible:

l’agonie de la mort les encercle, ils gémissent d’angoisse, leurs membres refroidissent, leurs couleurs changent, puis la mort les pénètre de plus en plus. Ils deviennent incapables de parler. Entourés de leurs parents, ils voient de leurs yeux et entendent de leurs oreilles; leurs intelligences conservent la lucidité, leurs cœurs continuent de battre. Le mourant médite comment il a gâché les jours de son âge! Il se rappelle les biens qu’il avait accumulés sans s’occupper s’ils sont licites et illicites, se rend compte qu’il en est responsable. Maintenant qu’il est sur le point de s’en séparer définitivement, ces biens seront légués à ses successeurs qui en profitent. De la sorte, ceux-ci en jouissent gratuitement tandis que la charge des biens illicites retombe sur lui. Le voilà qui coupe toute espérance de salut et mord ses doigts de regret quand la mort lui fait voir ce qu’il avait commis. C’est trop tard qu’il se débarrasse des désirs qu’il nourrissait auparavant durant sa vie, et qu’il souhaite que ses biens aient été acquis par ceux qui l’enviaient!

Et la mort continue de consumer son corps jusqu’à ce que son ouïe s’arrête comme sa langue. Il est maintenant entre ses parents, sans proférer de paroles et sans entendre un son. Ses yeux regardent, en roulant, les visages, voient les mouvements des langues mais n’entendent pas l’écho des paroles. Puis la mort s’attache de plus en plus au mourant qui perd la vue comme il avait perdu l’ouïe. L’esprit sort de son corps qui devient un cadavre entre ses parents; ceux-ci s’en éloignent, les uns accablés d’ennui, quelques-uns pleurant, d’autres lui implorant la miséricorde. Puis ils le portent à un trou dans la terre, l’y déposent et cessent de le visiter.

[La Résurrection :] Lorsque le Livre atteindra son terme et les choses leur dernière mesure, que la dernière créature rejoindra la première et que sera donné l’ordre de Dieu pour renouveler sa création, alors I! bouleversera et disloquera le ciel, fera trembler et secouer la terre, extirpera et dispersera les montagnes dont certaines seront effondrées par respect pour Sa Majesté et par crainte de Sa Puissance. Il fera sortir les habitants de la terre, les ressuscitera après les avoir anéantis, les rassemblera après les avoir dispersés et les répartira, pour les interroger sur leurs œuvres et leurs actes cachés, en deux groupes dont l’un sera récompensé et l’autre châtié.

Ceux qui lui avaient obéi seront gratifiés en son voisinage dans la demeure étemelle qu’ils ne quitteront jamais et où ils ne subiront aucun changement, n’auront jamais ni peur, ni maladies. Us y seront à l’abri des dangers et des inquiétudes des voyages.

Quant aux pécheurs, Il leur réservera la pire des demeures: leurs mains seront liées derrières leurs nuques, les touffes de leurs cheveux seront attachées à leurs pieds. Ils seront badigeonnés de goudron et de haillons brûlants, dans un tourment à très hautes températures, derrière une porte qui s’abat sur les damnés, où le feu est trépidant, strident et flamboyant. Celui qui y réside est lié avec des chaînes qui ne peuvent pas être rompues. C’est un séjour ininterrompu où le temps passe sans cesse, ne donnant aucun répit aux damnés.

[L’ascèse du Prophète :] Il a méprisé, négligé et dédaigné la vie ici-bas. Il savait que Dieu lui avait repris volontairement la vie et l’a rendue longue à d’autres par mépris. Pour cela, il n’attacha pas son cœur à la vie et à ses souvenirs, se priva dans ses vêtements des ornements superflus et n’espéra pas la prendre pour demeure. Il répandit parmi les hommes les arguments de Dieu, conseilla et avertît sa nation, prêcha l’existence du Paradis et avertit avec intimidation contre le Feu.

[La famille du Prophète :] Nous sommes l’arbre de la prophétie, le relais de la Mission, le lieu de la descente continuelle des anges, les origines de la science et les sources du gouvernement. Celui qui nous aime et nous soutient attend la miséricorde; notre ennemi qui nous hait attend l’assaut.

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 1, Chapter 109