SUN TV

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish In Reply to Mu`awiyah, One of His Most Elegant Writings: Now, your letter has reached me wherein you recall that Allah chose Muhammad (h) for His religion and helped him through those companions who assisted him. Strange things about you have remained concealed (by theirony of fate) from us, since you have started telling us of Allah’s trials for us and His bounties through [the kinship to] our Prophet (h). In this regard, you are like one who carries dates to Hajar, or who challenges his own master to a duel in archery. 739 You think that so-and-so are the most distinguished persons in Islam. You have said such a thing with which, were it true, you have nothing to do, but if it is not so, then the defect in it will not affect you. And what are you going to do with the question of who is better and who is worse, or who is the ruler and who is the ruled? What do the freed ones and their sons have to do with distinguishing between the first Muhajirun and determining their status or defining their ranks? What a pity! The sound of an arrow is being produced by what is not a real arrow, and he against whom the judgement is to be passed is seated to judge! O mankind! Why do you not see your own lameness and thus remain within the bounds, and why do you not realize the shortness of your measure and stay back where destiny has placed you?! You have no concern with the defeat of the defeated or with the victory of the victor. You are wandering in bewilderment, straying from the right path. Do you not realize it? I am not giving you any news: I am just recounting Allah’s bounty, namely that a number of people from among the Muhajirun (immigrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (helpers) fell as martyrs in the way of Allah the Sublime and that each of them is distinguished (on that account). But when one of us secures martyrdom, he is named the chief of martyrs, and the Messenger of Allah grants him the special honor of saying seventy takbir (Allahu Akbar) during his funeral prayer. Do you not know that a number of people lost their hands in the way of Allah and that everyone is distinguished (on that account)? But when the same thing takes place to one of us [such as Ja’fer al-Tayyar], he is given the title “the flier in Paradise” and “the two-winged one”? Had not Allah forbidden self -praise, the writer would have mentioned numerous distinctions which the believer knows fully well and which the ears of the listeners do not wish to forget. Better leave those whose arrows miss themark. We [Ahl al-Bayt (x)] are the direct recipients of our Lord’s favors while others receive favors from us after that. In spite of our established honor and well-known superiority over people, we did not stay away from mingling with you, intermarrying with you like equals although you are not so. And how could you be so when (our status is that) among us is the Prophet (h) while among you is his opponent, among us is the lion of Allah while among you is the lion of the opposing groups, among us are the two masters of the youths of Paradise while among you are the children of Hell, among us is the choicest of all the women of the worlds while among you is the bearer of firewood, any many more distinctions on our side while shortcomings [abound] on yours?! Our Islam is well-known and our (greatness in the ) pre-Islamic period too cannot be denied. Whatever remains has been mentioned in the words of Allah, the most Glorified One, the Sublime: “... blood relatives have the better claim with regard to one another according to the Book of Allah” (Holy Quran, 33: 6). He (Allah) the Sublime, also says the following: “Verily, of men the nearest to Abraham are surely those who followed him and this Prophet (Muhammad [h]) and those who believe, and verily, Allah, is the Guardian of the faithful” (Holy Quran, 3: 68). Thus, we are superior firstly because of kinship and, secondly, because of obedience [of the Almighty]. At the saqifa (of Banu Sa’idah), the Muhajirun contended kinship with the Messenger of Allah against the Ansar, scoring over them. If that success was based on kinship, then the right will be ours better than yours; otherwise, the Ansar’s contention stands. You think that I have been jealous of every caliph and have revolted against them all. Even if this is so, it is not an offence against you and, therefore, I owe you no explanation. This is a matter for which no blame comes to you.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) used to write the following to whoever he appointed for the collection of zakat and charities. “We have recorded a few portions of it here to show that he always erected the pillars of right and created examples of justice in all matters, small or big, delicate or serious.” Move on with the fear of Allah Who is One and has no partner. Do not frighten any Muslim. Do not pass over anyone’s land so as to make him feel unhappy. Do not take from him more than Allah’s share in his property. When you go to a tribe, you should get down at its watering place instead of entering their houses. Then proceed towards them with peace and dignity till you stand among them. Salute them and do not be negligent in greeting them. After that, say to them, “O servants of Allah! The vicegerent of Allah and His caliph has sent me to you to collect from you Allah’s share of your properties. Is there anything of His share in your properties? If so, give it to His vicegerent.” If someone among them says, “No,” then do not repeat the demand. If someone speaks to you in the affirmative, go with him without frightening him, threatening him, pressuring him or oppressing him. Take what he gives you, such as gold or silver (coins). If he has cattle or camels, do not enter upon them save with his permission because their major part is his. When you get there, do not enter upon them like one who has full control over them or in any violent manner whatsoever. Do not scare any animal. Do not tease anyone, and do not let the owner feel grieved over anything. Divide the property into two parts and let the owner choose one. Once he has chosen, do not object to it. Then divide the remaining into two parts and let him choose one. Once he has chosen, do not raise any objection. Continue like this till only that much remains which is enough to satisfy Allah’s dues. Then take Allah’s due from it. If he contends your action, allow his views to prevail, then mix the two (separated) parts and repeat what you had done before till you take Allah’s due from his property. Do not take any old, decrepit, broken-limbed, sick or unsound animal. Do not entrust the animals except to one whom you trust to take care of Muslims’ property till he hands it over to their chief who will distribute it. Do not entrust it to anyone except to whoever is a well wisher, God-fearing, trustworthy and watchful, to one who is not harsh with regard to Muslims’ property. Nor should you make them run too much, nor should you expose them to exhaustion, nor should you over-work them. Then send us all that you have collected. We shall deal with it as Allah has ordered. When your trustee takes over (the animal), tell him that he should not separate the she-camel from its young and should not milk all its milk because that will affect its young. Also, he should not exert it in riding. In this matter, he should deal justly with it and with all its companions. He should give rest to the [tired] camels and drive with ease those whose hoofs have been rubbed off. When you pass a water spring, keep the camels there to drink and do not take them away from a vegetated land to barren paths. He should allow them rest now then and give them time near the water and the grass. In this way, when they reach us by leave of Allah, they will be fat with plenty of marrow and will not be fatigued or distressed. We will then distribute them according to the (commands of) the Books of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (h). Certainly, this will be a great source of reward for you and a means to secure guidance, if Allah so wills.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Given to One of His Officers Whom He Sent for the Collection of Zakat and Charities. He (Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib [x]) ordered him to fear Allah in his secret matters and hidden actions, where there is no witness except the One and only Who watches over all. He also orders him that whatever he does in obedience to Allah openly should not be different from what he does secretly. Anyone whose hidden attitude is not different from his open one and whose action is not different from his words has discharged his obligation and his adoration is pure. He also ordered him that he should not harass the public. He should not be harsh to them and should not turn away from them because of the superiority of his official status over them because they are all brethren in faith and assist in the recovery of taxes: Certainly, you have a fixed share and a known right in this levy, and there are others who are poor, weak and starving. We shall discharge your rights. So, you should [first] discharge their rights. If you do not do so, you will have the largest number of enemies on the Day of Judgement. How wretched is the man whose enemies in the view of Allah are theneedy, the destitute, the beggars, the turned away, the indebted and the (penniless) travellers?! Whoever treats the trust lightly, indulges in treachery and does not keep himself and his faith untarnished by it has certainly secured humiliation in this world while his humiliation and disgrace in the next world will be much greater. Surely, the greatest treachery is the treachery against the Muslim community, and the most ugly deceit is deceiving the Muslim leaders, and that is the end of the matter.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib’s Will Regarding How His Property Should Be Dealt With. He Wrote it upon His Return from Siffin. This is what Ali ibn Abu Talib, the slave of Allah, has laid down about his property, seeking Allah’s pleasure, so that He may, by its virtue, grant him entry into Paradise and accord him peace. An excerpt from the same: It will be administered by [my oldest son] Hassan ibn Ali (x). He will take from it a suitable portion for his own livelihood while also spending of it on charity. If something happens to Hassan and Hussain (x) survives him, he (Hussain [x]) will administer it after Hassan and deal with it accordingly. In the charitable estate of the two sons of Fatima (x), they have the same rights as all (other) sons of Ali. I have laid down the (functions of) administration of the two sons of Fatima (x) in order to seek the pleasure of Allah and nearness to the Messenger of Allah (k) with due regard for his honor and in consideration of his kinship [to them]. It is obligatory on him who administers it to retain the estate as it is and to spends the surplus as he has been required and instructed. He should not sell the seedlings in the plantations of these villages till the land changes its face by turning them into [fully grown] plants. As for those of my slave girls, if any of them has a child or is pregnant, she would be retained for the sake of the [birth of the] child and will partake of his share. If the child dies and she survives, then she is free; bondage is removed from her and emancipation is granted to her.209

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Made Shortly Before His Death When He Had Been Fatally Wounded by a Blow from the Sword of (`Abd Ar-rahman) Ibn Muljim (The Curse of Allah Be Upon Him). I enjoin you, as my dying wish, not to regard anything as a partner with Allah, not to disregard the Sunnah of Muhammad (h). Establish these two pillars and light these two lamps. You will then be free from evil. Yesterday, I was your companion. Today, I am (just) a lesson for you, while tomorrow I shall be leaving you. If I survive, I shall be the master of my blood (to avenge or not to avenge it), and if I die, then death is a promised event. If I forgive, it is for me a means of nearness (to Allah) and for you a good deed. Therefore, do forgive. “What?! Do not you love that Allah should forgive you?” (Holy Quran, 24: 22). By Allah! This sudden death is not an event that I dislike, nor is it an accident that I hate. I am just like a night traveller who reaches the spring (in the morning), or like or seeker who secures (his aim): “And whatever is with Allah is the best for the righteous” (Holy Quran, 3: 198).

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Abdullah ibn Abbas. Abdullah ibn Abbas used to say, “Apart from the Prophet’s statements, I did not derive a greater benefit from any other statement.” Let it be known to you that sometimes a man gets pleased with securing a thing which he was not going to miss at all and gets displeased at missing a thing which he would not in any case get. Your pleasure should be about what you secure with regard to your next life, and our grief for having lost you should be for what you miss in respect thereof. Do not be very much pleased with what you secure from this world, nor should you get extremely grieved over what you miss of it. Your worry should be about what is to come after death.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Also to Ziyad Give up luxury and be moderate. Every day, remember the coming Day [of Judgment]. Hold back from the funds what you need and send forward the balance for the day of your need. Do you expect that Allah may give you the reward of the humble while you yourself remain vain in His view? And do you covet that He may give you the reward of those practicing charity while you enjoy means of comfort, denying them to the weak and the widows? Certainly, a man is awarded according to his deeds. He shall meet what he has sent before, and that is the end of the matter.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish He Used to Issue this Instruction to His Followers During Battle Time. The retreat after which return is intended and the withdrawal after which an attack is in view should not make you unhappy. Do justice with the swords (allow your swords to do their duties). Keep ready a place for the falling of bodies (of your foe); prepare yourselves for hurling strong spears and striking swords with full force, and keep your voices down as doing so keeps cowardice off. By the One Who broke open the seed (for growth) and created living beings, they had not accepted Islam but had only secured safety (by verbally professing it), hiding their lack of faith. Consequently, when they found helpers for their lack of faith, they disclosed it.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish By Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (x) When He Used to Face the Enemy. O Lord! Hearts are drawn to You, necks are stretching (towards You), eyes are fixed (on You), steps are in motion and bodies have turned lean! O Lord! Hidden animosity has become manifest and the cauldrons of malice are boiling. O Lord! We complain to You of the absence of our Prophet (h), the numerousness of our enemy and the diffusion of our passions. “Our Lord! Decide between us and our people with truth; You are the Best of those who decide” (Holy Quran, 7: 89).

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To the Army Before the Encounter with the Enemy at Siffin Do not fight them unless they start the fighting because, by the grace of Allah, you are right, and to leave them till they begin fighting will be another point from your side against them. If, by the will of Allah, the enemy is defeated, do not kill those who flee away, do not strike a helpless person, do not finish off the wounded and do not inflict pain on women even though they may attack your honor with filthy words and abuse your officers because they are weak in character, mind and intelligence. We have been ordered to avoid them although they may be unbelievers. Even in pre -Islamic (jahiliyya) period, if a man struck a woman with a stone or a stick, he was rebuked along with his posterity after him.. The responsibility for the war and fighting that took place between Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) and Mu`awiyah lies solely on Mu`awiyah because the latter brought about the war by laying the blame for Othman’s blood on Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) erroneously, although the facts about the causes of Othman’s killing and by whom he was killed were not unknown to Mu`awiyah. But since there was no way for him to achieve his objective save by creating an excuse for war, he started the war in order to retain his illegitimate authority. This evidently was offensive. It cannot by any means be considered as permissible because rebellion and rebellion against the rightful Imam is unlawful according to the general consensus of Muslims. Thus, “Abu Zakariyya” Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (631/1233 - 676/1277) writes the following: “Do not fight those in authority with regard to matters of governing, nor should you raise objections against them except when you observe them committing things which you know are definitely against Islam. If you see them doing such things, regard it as bad for them and speak the truth wherever you may be. But rising against them or fighting them is prohibited by the consensus of Muslims (Sharh Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, p. 125). In agreement with this view, see also: judge Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn at-Tayyib al-Baqillani [338/950 - 403/1013], the Ash`arite great scholar, in Al-Tamhid, p. 186, and Sa`d ad-Din Mas`ud ibn Umar at-Taftazani [712/1312 - 793/1390] in Sharh al-Maqasid, Vol. 2, p. 272.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Two Officers in His Army have placed Malik1 ibn al-Harith al-Ashtar in command over you and over all those under you. Therefore, follow his commands and take him as the armour and shield for yourselves because he is one of those from whom I have no fear of weakness nor any mistake, nor laziness where haste is more appropriate,nor haste where slackness is expected of him. When Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) sent a vanguard contingent of twelve thousand strong under the command of Ziyad ibn an-Nadr al-Harithi and Shurayh ibn Hani al-Harithi to Syria, on the way, near Sur ar-Rum, they encountered “Abul-Awar” Amr ibn Sulayman al-Salami who was camping there with a Syrian contingent. Both of them informed Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) of this through al-Harith ibn Jumhan al-Ju’fi, whereupon the Imam (x) sent Malik ibn al-Harith al-Ashtar as the Officer-in-Command and wrote this letter to notify them. The brief but comprehensive words in which Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) refers to Malik al -Ashtar in this letter gives an indication of his intelligence, sagacity, courage, daring, expanse and versatility in the art of war as well as his own personal greatness.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Given to Ma`qil Ibn Qays ar-Riyahi as He Was Dispatched to Syria at the Command of a Vanguard Contingent of Three Thousand Strong. Fear Allah before Whom attendance is inevitable and with other than Whom there is no meeting. Do not fight except those who fight you. Travel in the two cool periods (i.e. morning and evening). Let the men have a midday sleep. March easily and do not travel during the early night for Allah has made it for resting and has ordained it for staying, not for journeying. Therefore, give rest to your body in the night and let your beasts of burden also rest. When you are sure that the morning has approached, and when dawn has drawn nigh, start your journey with Allah’s blessings. If you face the enemy, stand in the midst of your comrades. Do not get too near to the enemy like one who wants to commence the fighting, nor should you remain too distant like one who is afraid of action, till you receive my orders. Hatred for them should not lead you to fight before inviting them (to guidance) and exhausting your pleas before them.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish Given to the Contingent Sent to Confront an Enemy When you proceed towards your enemy, the status of your force should be on the approaches of high grounds or edges of mountains or bends of rivers, so that it may serve you as a place to return to. Your encounter should be from one side or from two. Position scouts on the peaks of mountains and the raised sides of the high ground so that the enemy may not approach you from any place, whether of danger or of safety. And be admonished that the vanguard of an army serves as their eyes and the eyes of the vanguard are their informers. Beware of dispersal. When you halt, do so collectively, and when you move, you should move together. When night comes, fix your spears in a circle and do not sleep except for dosing or napping.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Mu`awiyah What would you do when the coverings of this world in which you are wrapped are removed from you? The world attracted you with its embellishments and deceived you with its pleasures. It called you, and you responded to it. It led you, and you followed it. It commanded you, and you obeyed it. Shortly an informer will inform you of things against which there will be no shield (to protect you). Therefore, keep off from this affair, take heed of the accounting (on the Day of Judgement), get ready for death that will soon overtake you, and do not lend your ears to those who have gone astray. If you do not do so, I shall recall to you whatever you have forgotten because you are a man living in ease and luxury205. Satan has taken you in his clutches, secured his wishes in you and taken complete control of you like your soul and blood. O Mu`awiyah! When were you ever a protector of the subjects and a guardian of the affairs of the people without granting some people distinction (over others)? We seek Allah’s protection against the befalling of previous misfortunes, and I warn you lest you should continue being deceived by desires and your outer appearance becomes different from your inner self. You have called me to war. It is better if you left the people on one side and you yourself came out to meet me (on the battleifield) and thus spare both our parties having to fight. It will then be known which one of us has a rusted heart and covered eyes. I am the father of al-Hassan who killed your grandfather (`Utbah ibn Rab‰`ah), your brother (Hanzalah ibn Abu Sufyan) and your uncle (Al-Walid ibn `Utbah) by cutting them to pieces on the day of Badr. The same sword is with me, and I meet my adversary with the same heart. I have not altered the religion, nor do I follow any new prophet. I am surely treading on that very highway which you had willingly forsaken then was forced to adopt. You think that you have come out seeking revenge for Othman’s blood. Certainly, you know how Othman’s blood was shed. If you want to avenge it, avenge it there. It is as though I see that when war is cutting you with its teeth, you cry like camels moaning under heavy loads. And it is as though I see your party bewildered by the incessant striking of the swords, the occurrence of death, and the falling of bodies after bodies, calling me towards the Holy Quran although they would themselves be either unbelievers, deniers of the truth or renegades of allegiance after having sworn it

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Jarir Ibn Abdillah Al-bajali When Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (x) Sent Him to Mu`awiyah (And There Was a Delay in His Return) When you receive this letter of mine, you must ask Mu`awiyah to take a final decision and to follow a determined course. Then ask him to choose either war that exiles him from home or a dishonorable peace. If he chooses war, leave him alone, but if he chooses peace, secure an oath of allegiance from him, and that is an end to the matter.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Mu`awiyah I have received from you the packet of unconnected pieces of advice and an embellished letter. You have written it because of your misguidance and dispatched it because of your lack of wisdom. This is the letter of a man who has neither light to show him the way nor a leader to guide him on the right path. Passion prompted him and he responded to it. Misguidance led him and he followed it. Consequently, he began to speak nonsense and went recklessly astray. An Excerpt from the Same Letter: Because allegiance is once and for all, it is not open for reconsideration, nor is there any scope for fresh proceedings of an election. Whoever remains out of it is deemed to be critical of Islam, while whoever remains argumentative about it is a hypocrite.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To Mu`awiyah (ibn Abu Sufyan) Verily, those who swore allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and Othman have sworn allegiance to me on the same basis on which they swore allegiance to them. Whoever was present had no choice (to 713 consider), and whoever was absent had no right to reject, and consultation was confined to the Muhajirun and the Ansar. If they agree on an individual and take him to be the Caliph, it will be deemed to imply seeking Allah’s pleasure. If anyone keeps away by way of demonstrating his objection or for innovation, they will return him to the status from where he kept away. If he refuses, they will fight him for following a course other than that of the believers, and Allah will put him back from where he had run away. By my life, O Mu`awiyah, if you see with your brain without any passion, you will find me the most innocent of all with regard to Othman’s blood, and you will surely know that I was in seclusion from him, unless you conceal what is quite open to you. Then you may commit an outrage (on me) as you like, and that is the end of the matter.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To al-Ash`ath ibn Qays (al-Kindi), Governor of Azerbaijan Certainly, your assignment is not a morsel for you, but it is a trust round your neck, and you have been charged with the protection (of the people) on behalf of your superiors. It is not for you to be oppressive towards the subjects, nor to put your life at risk save on strong grounds. You have in your hands the funds which are the property of Allah to Whom belong Might and Majesty, and you hold its charge till you pass it on to me. Probably I will not be one of the bad rulers for you, and this is the end of the matter. When Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) was through with the Battle of Jamal, he wrote to al-Ash`ath ibn Qays (al-Kindi), who had been the Governor of Azerbaijan since the days of Othman, to send the revenue and levies of his province to him [in Kufa]. But since al-Ash’ath had fears about the future of his status and assignment, he intended to pocket all this money like other officers appointed by Othman. Therefore, as soon as this letter reached him, he sent for his chief associates. Having mentioned this letter to them, he said the following: “I fear that this money will be taken away from me; I, therefore, intend to join Mu`awiyah.” It was then that those people said that it was a matter of shame to leave the kith and kin and to seek refuge with Mu`awiyah. Consequently, on the advice of those people, he postponed the implementation of his idea to run away, but he did not agree to part with the money. On getting this information, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) sent Hijr ibn Adiy al-Kindi to bring the man to him to Kufa. He persuaded him and brought him to Kufa. On reaching there, his kit was found to contain four hundred thousand Dirhams out of which Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) left thirty thousand for the man and deposited the rest in the public treasury.

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish To One of the Officers of His Army If they204 return to the umbrella of obedience, then this is all that we want. But if the condition of these people points out towards disruption and disobedience, then, taking with you those who obey you, you must rush against those who disobey you. While you have those with you who follow you, do not worry about those who hold back from you because the absence of a half-hearted man is better than his presence, and his sitting down is better than his rising.