Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

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Sermon
167

SERMON 167

After swearing of allegiance to
Amir al-mu'minin, some people from among the companions of the
Prophet said to him, "You should punish the people who
assaulted Uthman," whereupon he said:

O' my brothers! I am
not ignorant of what you know, but how do I have the power for it
while those who assaulted him are in the height of their power.
They have superiority over us, not we over them. They are now in
the position that even your slaves have risen with them and
Bedouin Arabs too have joined them. They are now among you and are
harming you as they like. Do you see any way to be able to do what
you aim at?

This demand is
certainly that of the pre-Islamic (al-jahiliyyah) period and these
people have support behind them. When the matter is taken up,
people will have different views about it. One group will think as
you do, but another will not think as you think, and there will be
still another group who will be neither this way nor that way. Be
patient till people quieten down and hearts settle in their places
so that rights can be achieved for people easily. Rest assured
from me, and see what is given to you by me. Do not do anything
which shatters your power, weakens your strength and engenders
feebleness and disgrace. I shall control this affair as far as
possible, but if I find it necessary the last treatment will, of
course, be branding with a hot iron (through fighting).