Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
52

SERMON 52

(This sermon has already
appeared earlier but due to the difference between the two
versions we have quoted it again here). Its subject is the
downfall of the world and reward and punishment in the next world.

Beware, the world is
wrapping itself up and has announced its departure. Its known
things have become strangers and it is speedily moving backward.
It is advancing its inhabitants towards destruction and driving
its neighbours towards death. Its sweet things (enjoyments) have
become sour, and its clear things have become polluted.
Consequently, what has remained of it is just like the remaining
water in a vessel or a mouthful of water in the measure. If a
thirsty person drinks it his thirst is not quenched.

O' creatures of Allah
get ready to go out of this world for whose inhabitants decay is
ordained, and (beware) heart's wishes should overpower you, nor
should you take your stay (in life) to be long. By Allah, if you
cry like the she-camel that has lost its young one, call out like
the cooing of pigeons, make noise like devoted recluses and turn
to Allah leaving your wealth and children as a means to secure His
nearness and high position with Him or the forgiveness of sins
which have been covered by His books and recorded by His angels it
would be less than His reward that I expect for you or His
retribution that I fear about you.

By Allah, if your
hearts melt down thoroughly and your eyes shed tears of blood
either in hope for Him or for fear from Him and you are also
allowed to live in this world all the time that it lasts even then
your actions cannot pay for His great bounties over you and His
having guided you towards faith.

A part of the same
sermon on the description of the Day of Sacrifice (Id al-Adha)
and the qualities of the animal for sacrifice.

For an animal to be
fully fit for sacrifice it is necessary that both its ears should
be raised upwards and its eyes should be healthy. If the ears and
the eyes are sound the animal of sacrifice is sound and perfect,
even though its horn be broken or it drags its feet to the place
of sacrifice.

as-Sayyid ar-Radi
says: Here place of sacrifice means place of slaughter.