nahjul balaaghah about imamah by a.s. hashim. md

Nahjul Balaaghahabout Imamah

By A.S. Hashim. MD

Nahjul Balaaghah about Imamh

Supplication

الرحيم الرحمن الله بـســـم

In the Name of God,

Lord of Mercy and

Lord of Grace


Nahjul Balaaghah

Nahjul Balaaghah, a highly valued book, consists of:– 254 sermons, – 48 letters, and – 212 sayings of Imam Ali

Nahjul Balaaghah is unique to Imam Ali

None of the Sahaaba was ever able to produce anything like it:

neither in substance

nor in literary eloquence.

No wonder Ali was referred to as:1. Sayyid al-Bulaghaa' (Pinnacle of Literary Expression) and

2. Sayyid al-Fu'qahaa, (Pinnacle of the Jurisprudents)


Nahjul Balaaghah about Imamah

Nahjul Balaaghah contains 12 references about Imamah. Ten appear in the following slides.

The quotes appear in various sermons, – said at variable occasions and – about different subjects.

The quotes in Arabic are from the book of Nahjul Balaaghah, by Dr. Subhi Al-Salih, and so is the numbering of the sermons and pages, 1st Edition, Beirut 1967. The Number of the sermons may differ by a factor of 1 in other volumes of Nahjul BalaaghahThe references are quotes by Abd al-Zahra' al-Husayni in vols. I & IV of his work (see Al-Islam.org, internet)


Time Element

The majority of Ali's sayings and speeches were stated:– During his Khilaafah when in Kufa, – At Different Places– At Different Occasions– Often at Khutba of Jumu’ah


In Sermon 34, Ali’s rights versus people’s rights

See next slideOther references:

1. Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 51;

2. Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I, 150;

3. al-Baladhuri, Ansab, 380;

4. al-Mufid, al-Majalis, 79;

5. Nasr ibn Muzahim, see Ibn Abi al-Hadid, I, 179.


In Sermon 34, page 79, Ali about his rights as Imam

O' people, I have a right over you and you have a right over me.

As for your right over me, it is:

a) to counsel you, b) to pay your dues in full, c) to instruct you so you may not remain ignorant and d) coach you in manners of behavior to act upon.

As for my right over you, it is:

a) Fulfilling the obligation of your allegiance, b) well-wishing in my presence or in absence, c) response when I call upon you, and d) obedience when I order you.

! ��م �ك �ي ع�ل ل"ي "ن# إ �#اس الن *ه�ا ي� أ

: ح�ق- ع�ل�ي# ��م �ك و�ل ،1 ح�ق2ا : �ي# ع�ل ��م ح�ق*ك م#ا

� ف�أ ��و�ف"ير و�ت ، ��م �ك ل �#ص"يح�ة ف�الن

��م "ك �ئ �م� ف�ي "يم�ك �ع�ل و�ت ، ��م �ك �ي ع�ل�ما �ي ك ��م �ك د"يب

� �أ و�ت �وا، �ج�ه�ل ت �ال �ي ك�م�وا. �ع�ل ت

: �ف�الو�ف�اء ��م �ك �ي ع�ل ح�قDي م#ا� و�أ

في �#ص"يح�ة و�الن �ع�ة"، �ي "الب ب ��ة اب �ج�" و�اال ، �م�غ"يب" و�ال ه�د" ��م�ش ال

�و�الط#اع�ة ، ��م �د�ع�وك أ ح"ين�. ��م ك �آم�ر ح"ين�


In Sermon 105, Ali about functions of the Imam

See next slide– Other references:

1. Al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 160;

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Qummi, Tafsir, I, 384.


In Sermon 105, page 152, Ali about functions of the Imam

Certainly, there is no obligation on the Imam except what has been devolved on him from Allah:

a) to convey good council, b) to exert in good advice, c) to revive the Sunnah, d) to enforce penalties on those liable to them and e) to issue shares to the deserving.

So hasten towards knowledge before: a) it dries up, and b) before you busy yourselves away from the ones who have it.

Desist others from the reprehensible and abstain from it yourself, since you have been commanded to abstain from it before desisting others from it.

م�ا # "ال إ " �م�ام" اال ع�ل�ى ل�يس� �#ه "ن إ: Dه" ب ر� م�ر"

� أ �م"ن ح�مDل��م�و�ع"ظ�ة"، ال ف�ي ��غ �ال �ب " اال#ص"يح�ة"، الن ف"ي �"ه�اد ت �و�االج �"ق�ام�ة و�إ #ة"، ن "لس* ل ��اء ي ��ح" و�اال

�ح"قDيه�ا، ت �م�س ع�ل�ى �ح�د�ود" ال. "ه�ا ه�ل

� أ ع�ل�ى ه�م�ان" الس* �"ص�د�ار و�إ�ل" ق�ب �م"ن �م� �ع"ل ال وا ��اد"ر ف�ب

��ن أ �ل" ق�ب �و�م"ن "ه"، �ت �ب ن �ص�و"يح" ت�ار" �ث ت �م�س �ع�ن ��م ك �ف�س" �ن �أ ب �وا غ�ل ��ش ت

"ه"، �ه�ل أ �د" ن ع" �م"ن " �م �ع"ل ال�اه�و�ا �ن و�ت �ر" �ك الم�ن �ع�ن �ه�و�ا و�ان

�ع�د� ب #ه�ي بالن ��م ت ��م"ر أ #م�ا "ن ف�إ ،��ه ع�ن�اه"ي! #ن الت


In Sermon 131, Ali about qualities of Imams


1. Sibt, Tadhkirah, 120;

2. al-Qadi al-Nu`man, Da`a'im, 531;

3. Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, III,154 (z.'a.r), V, 270 (w.`a.a).


In Sermon 131, page 189, Ali about qualities of Imams

You certainly know that he who is in charge of honor, life, booty, enforcement of legal commandments and Imamah of the Muslims should not be:

a) a miser as his greed would aim at people’s wealth, nor be b) ignorant as he would then mislead them with his ignorance, nor be of c) rude behavior who would estrange them with his rudeness, nor should he d) deal unjustly with wealth thus preferring one group over another, nor should he e) accept a bribe while taking decisions, as he would forfeit others’ rights and hold them up without finality, nor should he f) ignore Sunnah as he would ruin the people.

�غ"ي �ب �ن ي � ال �#ه ن� أ ��م "م�ت ع�ل �وق�د

وج" ��ف�ر ال ع�ل�ى �ون� �ك ي ��ن أ " "م و�الم�غ�ان و�الدDم�اء""م�ام�ة" و�إ " �ام �ح�ك و�اال

"م"ين� ل ��م�س ، ال ��خ"يل �ب ال

�"ه"م م�و�ال� أ ف"ي �ون� �ك ف�ت

� و�ال ،��ه �ه�م�ت �ج�اه"ل�ن ال � و�ال "ه"، "ج�ه�ل ب �#ه�م �ض"ل ف�ي

�ج�اف"ي �ق�ط�ع�ه�م� ال ف�ي � و�ال "ه"، "ج�ف�ائ "ف� ب الج�ائ

"لد*و�ل" د�ون� ل 1 ق�و�ما #خ"ذ� �ت ف�ي � و�ال �ش"يق�و�م، ت ��م�ر ف"ي ال

�ح�ق�وق" "ال ب �ذ�ه�ب� ف�ي " �م �ح�ك ال ، الم�ق�اط"ع" د�ون� "ه�ا ب �ق"ف� و�ي

� #ة" و�ال ن "لس* ل ��م�عطDل "ك� ال �ه�ل ف�ي. �م#ة� اال


In Sermon 144, Ali: Imams from Hashim Clan


1. Al-'Amidi, Ghurar, see `Abd al-Zahra', II, 322.


In Sermon 144, page 201, Ali: Imams from Hashim Clan

Where are those who falsely claim to be versed in knowledge, as compared to us. In so saying it is a lie and an affront.

Lo!

While Allah has raised us in prominence, He made them inferior.

And while Allah has privileged us with His bounty, He deprived them of that bounty.

And while Allah welcomed us in the fortress of knowledge, yet He kept them out of it.

Lo!

By us, Ahlul Bayt, guidance is to be sought out; and through us ignorance is exchanged for Light.

Surely the Imams are from Quraish. The Imamah has been planted in this lineage through the clan of Hashim. Thus, Imamah does not suit others nor would others be suitable for it.

�#ه�م ن� أ ع�م�وا ز� #ذ"ين� ال �ن� �ي أ

" �م �ع"ل ال ف"ي خ�ون� اس" الر#�ا، �ن �ي ع�ل 1 �غ�يا و�ب 1 �ذ"با ك �ا، �ن د�ون

، �و�و�ض�ع�ه�م �الله �ا ف�ع�ن ر� ��ن أ

، �م�ه�م و�ح�ر� �ا �ع�ط�ان و�أ. �ه�م ج� �خ�ر� و�أ �ا �ن ل �د�خ� و�أ

�ه�د�ى، ال �ع�ط�ى ت ��س ي �ا "ن ب. �ع�م�ى ال �ج�ل�ى ت ��س ي �ا "ن و�ب

ق�ر�يش �م"ن "م#ة� �ئ� اال "ن# إ�ط�ن" �ب ال هذ�ا ف"ي وا �غ�ر"س

ه�اش"م، �م"ن ، �و�اه�م س" ع�ل�ى ��ح �ص�ل ت � ال

�م"ن ��ة �و�ال ال ��ح �ص�ل ت � و�ال. ��ر"هم غ�ي


In Sermon 152, Ali about authority of Imams


1. Al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi, I, 139;

2. al-'Amidi, Ghurar, 232, 235.


In Sermon 152, page 212, Ali about authority of Imams

Certainly the Imams are the sovereign of Allah over His creatures, who enlighten and inform about Him.

By virtue of this knowledge, no one will enter the Heavenly Bliss except he who comprehends their teachings about Allah, And no one will enter Hellfire except he who denies their teachings about Him.

Allah has distinguished you, O People! with Islam and has chosen you for it. Islam indicates safety to mankind, and honors the deserving.

Allah has chosen Islam’s way and disclosed its pleas through open knowledge and undisclosed maxims…..

ع�ل�ى الله" �ق�و#ام �"م#ة �ئ اال #م�ا "ن و�إ�اد"ه"، ب ع" ع�ل�ى �ف�اؤ�ه و�ع�ر� �ق"ه"، ل خ�

�ف�ه�م ع�ر� �م�ن # "ال إ #ة� ن �ج� ال ��د�خ�ل ي � ال # "ال إ #ار� الن ��د�خ�ل ي � و�ال ،�ف�وه و�ع�ر�

. �وه ��ر �ك ن� و�أ �ه�م �ر� �ك ن

� أ �من ،" �م ال ��س" �اال ب ��م خ�ص#ك الله� "ن# إ �#ه �"ن ال و�ذل"ك� ،��ه ل ��م �خ�ل�ص�ك ت �و�اس

�و�ج"م�اع �م�ة، ال س� �م �ام�ة، اس �ر� ك ،��ه�ج�ه م�ن �ع�ال�ى ت �الله اص�ط�ف�ىع"ل�م، ظ�اه"ر" �م"ن ،�ح�ج�ج�ه #ن� �ي و�ب ،��ه "ب ائ غ�ر� �ى �ف�ن ت � ال �م، ح"ك �اط"ن" و�ب

�"يع اب م�ر� ف"يه" ،��ه "ب ائ ع�ج� �ق�ض"ي �ن ت � و�ال � ال ،" �م الظ*ل �"يح و�م�ص�اب ،" Dع�م الن

� و�ال "ح"ه"، "م�ف�ات ب # "ال إ �ات �ر� ي �خ� ال ��ح �ف�ت ته" "ح" "م�ص�اب ب # "ال إ ��م�ات الظ*ل �ف �ش� �ك ت


In Sermon 162, Ali about Khilaafah

One of Amir al-Mu'minin’s companions from Benu Asad asked him: “How was it that your clan of Quraish deprived you of the Khilaafah even though you deserved it most.”

Ali’s answer (see next slide)Other references:

1. Al-Saduq, al-'Amali, 368;

2. al-Saduq, `Ilal, bab 119;

3. al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, 172;

4. al-Tabari, al-Mustarshid, 64.


In Sermon 162, page 231, Ali about Khilaafah

As regards the repression against us in this matter (Khilaafah), although we were the highest in regards to descent and the strongest in relationship with the Messenger of Allah:

It was– a greed of the hearts of some people,– versus the openhandedness of others

The Arbiter is Allah and to Him is the return on the Day of Judgment.

"هذ�ا ب �ا �ن �ي ع�ل ��داد "ب ت �االس أم#ا " �م�قام ال

،1 با �س� ن �و�ن� �ع�ل� اال ��ح�ن و�نول" �س "الر# ب د*ون� و�االش�

،1 �و�طا ن

�ح#ت ش� ة1 �ر� ث� أ ��ت �ان ك #ه�ا ف�إن

ق�و�م، ��ف�وس ن �ه�ا �ي ع�ل ��فوس ن �ه�ا ع�ن �و�س�خ�ت

، آخ�ر"ين�

،�الله ��م �ح�ك و�ال. ��ام�ة �ق"ي ال �ه" �ي إل ��م�ع�و�د و�ال


In Sermon 164, Ali about Unjust Imam

When a deputation of people complained to Ali against Uthman, and requested him to speak to Uthman on their behalf and to advise him for their sake,For part of Ali’s advice to Uthman see next slide please

Other references:1. Al-Baladhuri, Ansab, V, 60; 2. al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, V, 96, events of 34 H.;3. Ibn `Abd Rabbih, al-`Iqd, IV, 308, II, 273;4. al-Mufid, al-Jamal, 100;5. Ibn Miskawayh, Tajarib al-'umam (1909), I, 478.


In Sermon 164, page 235, Ali about Unjust Imam

For sure, the worst man before Allah is the repressive Imam who has gone astray and led others to go astray. He destroys the accepted Sunnah and revives abandoned innovations.

I heard the Messenger of Allah saying:

"On the Day of Judgment the oppressive Imam will be brought with no one to support him nor any to advance excuses for him,

and then he will be thrown into Hell where he will rotate as the hand-mill rotates, eventually he will be confined to its hollow."

yام�م" إ �د�الله" ن ع" #اس" الن ر# ش� "ن# و�إ yر" ائ ج�

"ه"، ب و�ض�ل# ض�ل#�ا ي ��ح و�أ �خ�وذ�ة1، م�أ #ة1 ن �س م�ات�

� ف�أ. �ة1 وك ��ر م�ت "د�ع�ة1 ب

الله" س�ول� ر� �م"ع�ت س� "ني صلى( و�إ

( وآله عليه : الله ��ق�ول ي «" �م�ام" "اال ب �ام�ة" �ق"ي ال �و�م� ي �ى �ؤ�ت ي

"ر" ائ �ج� ال ، yاذ"ر�ع � و�ال yص"ير� ن �م�ع�ه �س� �ي و�ل

، #م� ه�ن ج� �ار" ن ف"ي �ق�ى �ل ف�يح�ى، الر# ��د�ور ت �م�ا ك ف"يه�ا ��د�ور ف�ي

.» ق�ع�ر"ه�ا ف"ي �"ط �ب ت ��ر ي �م# ث


In Sermon 168 Ali: about killers of Uthman

After swearing allegiance to Ali, some companions of the Prophet said to him, “You should punish the people who assaulted Uthman,”

See Ali’s answer in next slideOther references:1. Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, V, 158, events of 35 H.;

2. Ibn Miskawayh, Tajarib, I, 510.


In Sermon 168 page 243, Ali: about killers of Uthman

When the matter is taken up, people will have different views.

One group will think as you do, but another will not think as you think, and there will still be another group which will be neither this way nor that way.

Be patient till people quiet down and hearts settle in their places so that rights for people can well be achieved. And rest assured, and see what I’ll come forth in this regard.

Do nothing to shatter your power or weaken your strength, that it may engender frailty and humiliation.

إذ�ا ـ �م�ر"� اال هذ�ا �م"ن #اس� الن إن# : م�ور

� أ ع�ل�ى ـ ك� Dر�ح yة�و�ف"رق ، و�ن� �ر� ت م�ا ى �ر� ت yة�ق �ف"ر

�ر�ى ت � ال yة�ق �و�ف"ر ، و�ن� �ر� ت � ال م�ا ى �ر� تح�ت#ى وا �"ر ف�اص�ب هذ�ا، � و�ال هذ�ا ال

،�#اس الن � �ه�د�أ ي

ذ� �ؤ�خ� و�ت م�و�اق"ع�ه�ا، ��ق�ل�وب ال �ق�ع� و�ت ; �وا ف�اه�د�أ م�ح�ة1 �م�س ��ح�ق�وق ال

"ه" ب ��م "يك �ت �أ ي م�اذ�ا وا ��ظ�ر و�ان Dي، ع�نم�ر"ي،

� أق�و#ة1، ��ض�ع�ض"ع ت �ة1 ف�ع�ل �وا �ف�ع�ل ت � و�ال

1 و�ه�نا ��ور"ث و�ت #ة1، م�ن �ق"ط ��س و�ت. #ة1 و�ذ"ل


In letter 27, Ali: the good versus the bad Ruler

When Imam Ali appointed Muhammad bin Abu Bakr as the Governor of Egypt, he gave him instructions in a long letter. Part of the letter, regarding the good versus the bad ruler, appears in next slide:

See next slide:


In letter 27, page 385, Ali: the good versus the bad Ruler

For certainly, they are not on a par, a leader who leads to guidance versus one who leads to wickedness. Nor are devotees of the Prophet on a par with his opponents.

Verily the Prophet said to me “I have no worries for my Ummah, since Allah would safeguard the devout Muslim by his own faith, and unravel the evil works of the heathen through his disbelief. But, I (the Prophet) feel worried about the works of the swindlers among Muslims, who appear outwardly as wise and smooth talkers, speaking as you speak, but secretly indulging in vices and malice.

�ه�د�ى ال �"م�ام إ و�اء�، س� � ال �#ه "ن ف�إد�ى، الر# �"م�ام و�إ

،Dي" #ب الن و�ع�د�و* Dى" #ب الن "ي* و�و�ل �ول �س ر� ل"ي ق�ال� ��ق�د صلى( الله"و�ل

:( وآله عليه �خ�اف� " الله أ � ال Dي "ن إ � و�ال 1 م�ؤ�م"نا "ي م#ت

� أ ع�ل�ى ��ع�ه �م�ن ف�ي ��م�ؤم"ن ال م#ا

� أ ،1 ر"كا �م�ش"ه"، "يم�ان "إ ب �الله

�الله ��ق�م�ع�ه ف�ي �ر"ك ��م�ش ال م#ا� و�أ

"ه"، ك �ر "ش" ب�ل# ك ��م �ك �ي ع�ل ��خ�اف أ Dي لك"ن

" "م ع�ال ، �ان" ن �ج� ال �اف"ق" م�ن ، �ع�ر"ف�ون� ت م�ا ��ق�ول ي ، ان" اللDس�

." ون� ��ك"ر �ن ت م�ا ��ف�ع�ل و�ي


In Sermon 182, Ali admonishing

It has been related by Nawf al-Bikali that when Ali delivered this sermon he had a woolen apparel on his body, the belt of his sword and the sandals on his feet were made of palm leaves, his forehead calloused due to long prostrations.


1. Al-Wasiti, `Uyun al-hikam, see al-Majlisi, vol. 77, 310;

2. Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, II, 145, 198.


In Sermon 182, page 263, Ali admonishing

O' people! I have divulged guidance as the prophets used to preach before their peoples, and I have conveyed to you what the disciples conveyed to those coming after them.

I tried to coach you firmly but you could not straighten up. I admonished you sternly but you did not react well.

May Allah deal with you! Do you want an Imam other than me to take you on the right path, and show you the correct way?

Beware, he who was on the ascendancy has become thing of the past, and he who was in decline is on the rise.

The virtuous people of Allah have decided to leave, having traded the transient pleasure of this world to the rewards of the heavenly world that will perish not.

��م �ك ل ��ت �ث �ث ب �ق�د Dي "ن إ ،�#اس الن *ه�ا ي� أ

��اء "ي �ب �ن� اال "ه�ا ب و�ع�ظ� "ي #ت ال �م�و�اع"ظ� ال�د#ت" أ م�ا ��م �ك �ي "ل إ ��ت �د#ي و�أ ، �م�م�ه�م

� أ ��م �ك �ت �د#ب و�أ ، ��ع�د�ه�م ب �م�ن "ل�ى إ ��اء �وص"ي� اال

�ق"يم�وا، ت ��س ت ��م ف�ل و�ط"ي "س� ب ��م ف�ل و�اج"ر" بالز# ��م �ك و�ح�د�و�ت

ق�وا. �و�س" ت ��س ت

! �ر"ي غ�ي 1 "م�اما إ �و�ق#ع�ون� �ت ت� أ ��م �ت �ن أ لله

��م د�ك ش" ��ر و�ي الط#ر"يق�، ��م "ك ب� �ط�أ ي

؟ "يل� ب الس#�ان� ك م�ا �ا �ي الد*ن م"ن� �ر� د�ب

� أ �ق�د �#ه "ن إ � ال� أ

،1 "را م�د�ب �ان� ك م�ا �ه�ا م"ن �ل� �ق�ب و�أ ،1 "ال م�ق�ب ، ��ار ي ��خ� اال �اد�الله" ب ع" ح�ال� �#ر الت م�ع� ��ز و�أ�ق�ى، �ب ي � ال �ا �ي الد*ن م"ن� 1 "يال ق�ل �اع�وا و�ب

. �ف�ن�ى �ي ال ة" �خ"ر� اال م"ن� "ير �ث "ك ب


Be in Allah’s Care

Thank you and May God Bless you.

Dr. A.S. Hashim

nahjul balaaghah about imamah by a.s. hashim. md

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