Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
166

SERMON 166

At the beginning of his
Caliphate.

Fulfilment of rights and
obligations, and advice to fear Allah in all matters.

Allah, the Glorified,
has sent down a guiding Book wherein He has explained virtue and
vice. You should adopt the course of virtue whereby you will have
guidance, and keep aloof from the direction of vice so that you
remain on the right way. (Mind) the obligations (mind) the
obligations. Fulfil them for Allah and they will take you to
Paradise. Surely, Allah has made unlawful the things which are not
unknown and made lawful the things which are without defect. He
has declared paying regard to Muslims as the highest of all
regards. He has placed the rights of Muslims in the same grade (of
importance) as devotion (to Himself and His oneness). Therefore, a
Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand every (other) Muslim is
safe save in the matter of truth. It is not, therefore, lawful to
molest a Muslim except when it is obligatory.

Hasten towards the
most common matter which is peculiar to every one; and that is
death. Certainly, people (who have already gone) are ahead of you
while the hour (Day of Judgement) is driving you from behind.
Remain light, in order that you may overtake them. Your backs are
being awaited for the sake of the fronts. Fear Allah in the matter
of His creatures and His cities because you will be questioned
even about lands and beasts. Obey Allah and do not disobey Him.
When you see virtue adopt it, and when you see vice avoid it.