Nahj al Balagha
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The Nahj al Balagha ("Peak of Eloquence") is the most famous collection of speeches (sermons) and letters by Ali ibn Abi Talib, accepted as the fourth of the Caliphs by Sunni Muslims and the first of the Imams by Shia Muslims.
Contents |
Sermons
In total Nahj al Balagha contains 245 sermons of Imam Ali:
- Sermon 1 , in this sermon Imam Ali mentions the genesis of creation of the heavens, earth and Prophet Adam.
- Sermon 2 (some consider this part of the previous sermon), is the sermon in which the creation of Adam mentioned.
- Sermon 3, mentions about Hajj (the holy pilgrimage to Mecca).
- Sermon 4, was delivered by Imam Ali on his return from the Battle of Siffin. in this sermon Ali explained the condition of Arabs in pre-islmaic days and the corrupt conditions in which Islamic society had fallen agian.
- Sermon 5 (some consider this part of the previos sermon), is in praise of Ahl al Bayt (the progency of Prophet Muhammad. In this sermon Ali mentions that the Ahl al bayt are the strong holdsof Allah's commands, and are the ones that can interpret the commnads.
- Sermon 6 is about the hypocrites, considered by Shia's to be Abu Bakr, Umar & Uthman.
- Sermon 7 is the famous speech of Shiqshiqiyyah (the roar of a camel), in this sermon Imam Ali again mentions about the caliphate being snatched from him.
- Sermon 8, in this sermon Imam Ali has depicted the mentality of Quraish and what the Ahl al Bayt have done to teach them Islqm and to reform their minds. He finished it with an advice to them to accept religion sincerily.
- Sermon 9, After the death of the prophet when Abbas (uncle of Muhammad) and Abu Sufyan came to Imam Ali to swear allegiance, he advised them in this sermon.
- Sermon 10 , Talha and Zubayr rebelled against Imam Ali and raised an army to occupy the provincies of Kufa and Basra. Imam Ali resolved the issue instead of fighting. Some people tried to dissuade the Imam against his decisions, in reply to the dussuation Imam Ali delivered Sermon 10.
- Sermon 11 In sermon 11 Imam Ali describes the mental conditions of those muslims who in realtiy were hypocrites and had in their inner hearts no place for truth, justice and Islam. to serve their purpose they they stooped to every vice and evil an the Satan was their guide and lord.
- Sermon 12, Imam Ali warns Zubayr (who turned against Imam Ali).
- Sermon 13, Imam Ali replies to the propoganda of the opponents.
- Sermon 14,
- Sermon 15, Imam Ali instructs Muhammad ibn Hanafiya (commander of the Battle of the Camel)
- Sermon 16, Speach given after the victory at the Battle of Jamal (the camel).
- Sermon 17, Imam Ali condemned the activities of the people of Basra (who had fought against him at the Battle of Jamal).
- Sermon 18, In this sermon Imam Ali again condemned the actions of the people of Basra.
- Sermon 19, After muslims had conquered Armenia, Caliph Uthman granted all the Khums income from Armenia to Marwan ibn Hakam. Imam Ali did not approve this and when he became caliph Khums from Armenia again came under state control. On this occasion Sermon 19 was delivered.
- Sermon 20, this sermon was delivered after the death of Caliph Uthman, when Imam Ali was being offered Caliphate. In it Imam Ali told people what to expect under his Caliphate.
- Sermon 21, Imam Ali describes three kind of people found in society and also the best course to be followed in life.
- Sermon 22, Imam Ali condems people who assume the status/title of a Qazi (Judge) without having qualification or enough knowledge for this kind of responisible work.
- Sermon 23, remarks of Imam Ali on differnces of opinions amongst jurists on the same question of Sharia (Islamic law).
- Sermon 24, While Imam Ali was delivering a speech in the Mosque of Kufa, Ash'ath ibn Qays (who was the chief of Muawiya's army at the Battle of Siffin) intervened saying that such a speech was harmfull to Ali. Sermon 24 was a reply to Ash'ath; "You a wicked son of a depraved father, a hypocrite, son of an infidel, do you know which part of my speech is harmful and which part is beneficial to me? ..."
- Sermon 25, Imam Ali explains how and from whom we can take lessons to mould and reform our lives. In it the Imam also reminds people of the hereafter; "If you had only a true conception of what would happen after death, you would have screamed with horror and trembled with fright ..."
- Sermon 26, Imam Ali tells that this life is just a journey and by reducing our sins we could make this journey easy; "Reduce the burden of your sins and vices so that you may carry on the journey with ease".
- Sermon 27, According to Shia Muslims Talha & Zubayr had wanted to take over the Caliphate and therefore murdered Caliph Uthman, the only obstacle remaining in their way was Imam Ali. They decided to falsly accuse Imam Ali for the murder. In Sermon 27, Imam Ali tells Talha and Zubayr to be afraid of Allah.
- Sermon 28, Imam Ali advises the poor not to envy the rich and the rich to support and help the poor.
- Sermon 29, Imam Ali advises people to follow Allah's commands, as that is the only way one can enjoy the hereafter; And, if you are not rewarded in this life, I guarantee for your reward in the herefater.
- Sermon 30, This sermon was delivered when Imam Ali heard the news that Muawiya I had taken possesion of some provincies after two of his (Ali's) Governors had fled their provincies in the fear of Muawiya I.
- Sermon 31, Imam Ali shed's light on three phases of the history of Islam:
Letters
Nahj al Balagha also contains collections of 79 letters, including letters to Muawiya II and Governors of different provincies.
- Letter 1, Sent to the people of Kufa, before Imam Ali proceeded to Basra for the Battle of the Camel
- Letter 2, Sent to the people of Kufa after the victory at the Battle of the Camel.
- Letter 3, to Shuray bin Harith, Chief Judge (Qazi) of Kufa, after Shuray purchased a very expensive house (which did not suite a Qazi's lifestyle).
- Letter 4, A Letter to one of the commanders of his army.
- Letter 5,
- Letter 6, To Muawiya considering the election in which Imam Ali became Caliph.
- Letter 7, Muawiya I had been sending Imam Ali letters giving him hypocritical advice and falsely accusing him. Letter 7 was reply to Muawiya's false accusations on Imam Ali.
- Letter 8, Jarir ibn Abdullah Bajali (a companion of Imam Ali) was sent by Imam Ali to Damascus to deliver a letter to Muawiya. Some delay occured in Jarir's return which made Ali worried about his safety. Imam Ali wrote this letter to Jarir, in this letter he told Jarir to force Muawiya to reply to Ali's previous letter giving a final answer; Peace (in which case Muawiya would have to swear oath of allegiance to Ali) or War.
- Letter 9, Another letter to Muawiya, in which Imam Ali told Muawiya that he (Muawiya) had done nothing for islam while he (Ali) had devoted his whole life to Islam. In it Imam Ali mentiones that he has no comaprison with Muawiya; "In Islam there is no rank, no honour, no position and no merit for him as it is for me".
- Letter 10, Imam Ali reminds Muawiya that all his wealth is only in this world and would not help in the hereafter; "The possesions, the riches and the luxuries that you have surrounded yourself with, belong to this world ...".
- Letter 11, Instructions to his marshal when Ali sent to a battle. In it Imam Ali tell them what to do before and during the battle.
- Letter 12, Instructions to an expedition of 3000 soldiers, who were sent to fight against the Syrians.
- Letter 13, Instructions to two of his commanders, in it he tells his commanders that he has appointed Malik ibn Harith as the Chief of Staff and they must follow his orders.
- Letter 14, At the Battle of Siffin Imam Ali gave instruction in Letter 14 to his soldiers before the battle began.
- Letter 15, This letter has the words in which Imam Ali used to invoke Allah whenever he faced an enemy.
- Letter 16,
Sayings
See Wikiqoute for a collection of quotes from Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib
