Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
198

SERMON 198

Containing advice given by Amir
al-mu'minin to his companions

About Prayer

Pledge yourself with
prayer and remain steady on it; offer prayer as much as possible
and seek nearness (of Allah) through it, because it is, (imposed)
upon the believers as (a) timed ordinance (Qur'an 4:103). Have you
not heard the reply of the people of Hell when they were asked:
What hath brought you into the hell? They shall say: We were not
of those who offered the regular prayers (to Allah)! (Qur'an,
74:42-43). Certainly, prayer drops out sins like the dropping of
leaves (of trees), and removes them as ropes are removed from the
necks of cattle. The Messenger of Allah - the peace and blessing
of Allah he upon him and his descendants - likened it to a hot
bath situated at the door of a person who bathes in it five times
a day. Will then any dirt remain on him?

Its obligation is
recognised by those believers whom neither the adornment of
property nor the coolness of the eyes produced by children can
turn away from it. Allah, the Glorified, says:
Men whom neither
merchandise nor any sale diverteth from the remembrance of Allah
and constancy in prayer and paying the poor-rate; ... (Qur'an.
24:37)

Even after receiving
assurance of Paradise, the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessing
of Allah be upon him and his descendants - used to exert himself
for prayers because of Allah, the Glorified's command.
And enjoin prayer on
thy followers, and adhere thou steadily unto it, ... (Qur'an,
20:132).

Then the Holy Prophet
used to enjoin his followers to prayer and exert himself for it.

About the Islamic Tax
(zakat)

Then, Islamic tax has
been laid down along with prayer as a sacrifice (to be offered) by
the people of Islam. Whoever pays it by way of purifying his
spirit, it serves as a purifier for him and a protection and
shield against fire (of Hell). No one therefore (who pays it)
should feel attached to it afterwards, nor should feel grieved
over it. Whoever pays it without the intention of purifying his
heart expects through it more than its due. He is certainly
ignorant of the sunnah, he is allowed no reward for it, his action
goes to waste and his repentance is excessive.

Fulfilment of Trust

Then, as regards
fulfilment of trust, whoever does not pay attention to it will be
disappointed. It was placed before the strong skies, vast earths
and high mountains but none of them was found to be stronger.
vaster, or higher than it. If anything could be unapproachable
because of height, vastness, power or strength they would have
been unapproachable, but they felt afraid of the evil consequences
(of failure in fulfilling a trust) and noticed what a weaker being
did not realise it, and this was man.
. . . Verily he was
(proved) unjust, ignorant. (Qur'an, 33:72)

Surely, Allah, the
Glorified, the Sublime, nothing is hidden from Him of whatever
people do in their nights or days. He knows all the details, and
His knowledge covers them. Your limbs are a witness, the organs of
your body constitute an army (against yourself), your inner self
serves Him as eyes (to watch your sins), and your loneliness is
open to Him.