Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
168

SERMON 168

When the people of Jamal set
off for

Basrah Amir al-mu'minin said:

There is no doubt that
Allah sent down the Prophet as a guide with an eloquent Book and a
standing command. No one will be ruined by it except one who ruins
himself. Certainly, only doubtful innovations cause ruin except
those from which Allah may protect. In Allah's authority lies the
safety of your affairs. Therefore, render Him such obedience as is
neither blameworthy nor insincere. By Allah, you must do so,
otherwise Allah will take away from you the power of Islam, and
will never thereafter return it to you till it reverts to others.

Certainly, these
people are in agreement in disliking my authority. I will carry on
till I perceive disunity among you; because if, in spite of the
unsoundness of their view, they succeed, the whole organisation of
the Muslims will be shattered. They are hankering after this world
out of jealousy against him on whom Allah has bestowed it. So they
intend reverting the matters on their backs (pre-Islamic period),
while on us it is obligatory, for your sake, to abide by the Book
of Allah (Qur'an), the Sublime, and the conduct of the Prophet of
Allah, to stand by His rights and the revival of his sunnah.