Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
177

SERMON 177

Praise of Allah, transience of
this world, and causes of the decline of Allah's blessings.
(Delivered at the beginning of his caliphate after the killing of
Uthman)

One condition does not
prevent Him from (getting into) another condition, time does not
change Him, place does not locate him and the tongue does not
describe Him. The number of drops of water, of stars in the sky,
or of currents of winds in the air are not unknown to Him, nor the
movements of ants on rocks, or the resting place of grubs in the
dark night. He knows the places where leaves fall, and the secret
movements of the pupils of the eyes.

I stand witness that
there is no god but Allah, Who has no parallel, Who is not
doubted, Whose religion is not denied and Whose creativeness is
not questioned. My witnessing is like that of a man whose
intention is free, whose conscience is clear, whose belief is pure
and whose loads (of good actions) are heavy. I also stand witness
that Muhammad - the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and
his progeny - is His slave and His Messenger, chosen from His
creations, selected for detailing His realities, picked for His
selected honours and chosen for His esteemed messages. Through him
the signs of guidance have been lighted and the gloom of blindness
(misguidance) has been dispelled.

O' people, surely this
world deceives him who longs for it and who is attracted towards
it. It does not behave niggardly with him who aspires for it and
overpowers him who overpowers it. By Allah, no people are deprived
of the lively pleasures of life after enjoying them, except as a
result of sins committed by them, because certainly Allah is not
unjust to His creatures. Even then, when calamities descend upon
people and pleasures depart from them, they turn towards Allah
with true intention and the feeling in their hearts that He will
return them everything that has fled from them and cure all their
ills.

I fear about you lest
you fall into ignorance (that prevailed before the appearance of
the Prophet). In the past there were certain matters in which you
were deflected, and in my view you were not worthy of admiration;
but if your previous position could be returned to you then you
would become virtuous. I can only strive; but if I were to speak I
would (only) say may Allah forgive your past actions.