Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
26

SERMON 26

Arabia before proclamation of
Prophethood

Allah sent Muhammad
(p.b.u.h.a.h.p.) as a warner (against vice) for all the worlds and
a trustee of His revelation, while you people of Arabia were
following the worst religion and you resided among rough stones
and venomous serpents. You drank dirty water and ate filthy food.
You shed blood of each other and cared not for relationship. Idols
are fixed among you and sins are clinging to you.

Part of the same
sermon on the attentiveness of the people after the death of the
Holy Prophet

I looked and found
that there is no supporter for me except family, so I refrained
from thrusting them unto death. I kept my eyes closed despite
motes in them. I drank despite choking of throat. I exercised
patience despite trouble in breathing and despite having to take
sour colocynth as food.

Part of the same
sermon on the settlement between Muawiyah and Amr ibn al-As

He did not swear
allegiance till he got him to agree that he would pay him its
price. The hand of this purchaser (of allegiance) may not be
successful and the contract of the seller may face disgrace. Now
you should take up arms for war and arrange equipment for it. Its
flames have grown high and its brightness has increased. Clothe
yourself with patience for it is the best to victory.(1)

(1).
Amir al-mu'minin had delivered a sermon before setting off for
Nahrawan. These are three parts from it. In the first part he has
described the condition of Arabia before Proclamation (of
Prophethood); in the second he has referred to circumstances which
forced him to keep quiet and in the third he has described the
conversation and settlement between Muawiyah and Amr ibn al-As.
The position of this mutual settlement was that when Amir
al-mu'minin sent Jarir ibn Abdillah al-Bajali to Muawiyah to
secure his allegiance he detained Jarir under the excuse of giving
a reply, and in the meantime he began exploring how far the people
of Syria would support him. When he succeeded in making them his
supporters by rousing them to avenge Uthman's blood he consulted
his brother Utbah ibn Abi Sufyan. He suggested, "If in this
matter Amr ibn al-As was associated he would solve most of the
difficulties through his sagacity, but he would not be easily
prepared to stabilise your authority unless he got the price he
desired for it. If you are ready for this he would prove the best
counsellor and helper." Muawiyah liked this suggestion, sent
for Amr ibn al-As and discussed with him, and eventually it was
settled that he would avenge Uthman's blood by holding Amir
al-mu'minin liable for it in exchange for the governorship of
Egypt, and by whatever means possible would not let Muawiyah's
authority in Syria suffer. Consequently, both of them fulfilled
the agreement and kept their words fully.