Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
40

SERMON 40

When Amir al-mu'minin heard the
cry of Kharijites that "Verdict is only that of Allah"
he said:

The sentence is right
but what (they think) it means, is wrong. It is true that verdict
lies but with Allah, but these people say that (the function of)
governance is only for Allah. The fact is that there is no escape
for men from ruler good or bad. The faithful persons perform
(good) acts in his rule while the unfaithful enjoys (worldly)
benefits in it. During the rule, Allah would carry everything to
end. Through the ruler tax is collected, enemy is fought, roadways
are protected and the right of the weak is taken from the strong
till the virtuous enjoys peace and allowed protection from (the
oppression of) the wicked.

Another version:

When Amir al-mu'minin
heard the cry of the Kharijites on the said verdict he said:

I am expecting the
verdict (destiny) of Allah on you.

Then he continued:

As for good government
the pious man performs good acts in it, while in a bad government
the wicked person enjoys till his time is over and death overtakes
him.