Peak of Eloquence - Nahjul Balagha (revised version) Complete English Translation

Nahjul Balagha is a translation of the sermons, letters, and some of the sayings of Imam Ali (as).1 It was originally compiled in Arabic by Sayyid Razi under the title of ‘Nahjul Balagha’ These sermons and preachings of Imam Ali (as) were so highly valued and venerated in the Islamic world that within a century of his demise they were taught and read as the last word on the philosophy of monotheism and the most effective discourses on character building, exalted sources of inspiration, very persuasive sermons towards piety, guiding beacons towards truth and justice, marvelous eulogies of the Holy Prophet (s)2 and the Holy Qur’an, convincing discourses on the spiritual values of Islam, awe-inspiring discussions about the attributes of Allah, as masterpiece of literature, and a model of the art of rhetorics. CONTENTS ABOUT THE BOOK ............................................................................................. 1 A PROFILE OF IMAM ALI .................................................................................. 7 IMAM ALI AND PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIONS ............................................. 95 THE COMPILER AND SOME COMMENTATORS OF NAHJUL BALAGHA 103 ABOUT THE TRANSLATION ......................................................................... 111 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................. 113 LIST OF COMPILERS: INDEX I ....................................................................... 115 LIST OF COMPILERS: INDEX II ...................................................................... 119 PART II: SERMONS OF IMAM ALI (AS) 1. Cognizance of Allah, Process of Creation and Angels ................................ 123 2. Creation of Adam ....................................................................................... 129 3. About Hajj - Holy Pilgrimage to Makkah ................................................... 133 4. Condition of Arabs Before Islam................................................................. 134 5. Aale Muhammad – The Progeny of the Holy Prophet (s) .......................... 136 6. The Hypocrites ............................................................................................ 136 7. Survey of Period after the Demise of the Holy Prophet (s) ......................... 137 8. Admonition to Quraysh .............................................................................. 140 9. Imam Ali keeps aloof from Rulership ......................................................... 141 10. Imam Ali’s Determination and Steadfastness ............................................ 142 11. Hypocrites Exposed ................................................................................... 143 12. Imam Ali Warns Zubayr ............................................................................ 143 13. Reply to the Propaganda of Opponents ..................................................... 146 14. Imam Ali’s Firmness .................................................................................. 147 15. Instructions to Muhammad bin Hanafiya.................................................. 147 16. Imam Ali on his Friends ............................................................................ 148 17. Condemnation of the People of Basra ........................................................ 148 18. People of Basra Rebuked and Denounced ................................................. 149 19. Utility of Public Money .............................................................................. 150 20. Imam Ali being Offered Rulership and his Clarification ........................... 150 21. An Outstanding Advice ............................................................................. 152 22. Judges without Qualification Censured..................................................... 154 23. Differences among the Judges ................................................................... 156 24. Imam Ali Rebukes Ash’ath ibn Qays ......................................................... 157 25. Prophets are Guides ................................................................................... 157 26. On Facing the Day of Judgement ............................................................... 158 27. Imam Ali Refutes False Accusations .......................................................... 158 28. Imam Ali Advises Poor and Rich ............................................................... 160 29. Piety Pays Dividends ................................................................................. 161 30. On Devastation caused by Muawiya’s Chief of Army .............................. 162 31. Blessings of Islam and Imam Ali’s Policy .................................................. 163 32. In Praise of Jihad ........................................................................................ 164 33. Salvation is in Avoiding Sins and Vices ..................................................... 167 34. A Word of Warning to Those Around him ................................................ 168 35. Causes of the Murder of Caliph Uthman ................................................... 169 36. An Advice to Abdullah ibn Abbas ............................................................. 170 37. On Leading a Life of Honesty and Piety .................................................... 170 38. Mission of the Holy Prophet (s) and Imam Ali .......................................... 172 39. On the Disloyalty of Iraqis ......................................................................... 173 40. On the Betrayal of Arbitrators ................................................................... 175 41. Warning at the Battle of Nahrawan ........................................................... 176 42. Imam Ali’s Services to Islam ...................................................................... 177 43. How to Dispel Doubts? .............................................................................. 178 44. Imam Ali Lashes out at his Timid Soldiers ................................................ 178 45. On the Slogan: Only Allah is the Judge ..................................................... 179 46. On Avoidance of Diplomacy and Deceit ................................................... 180 47. On Avarice and Inordinate Craving .......................................................... 181 48. No Haste in Preparation for War ............................................................... 182 49. On the Desertion of Masqala...................................................................... 182 50. The Transitory World ................................................................................ 183 51. Imam Ali Invokes Allah ............................................................................. 183 52. Imam Ali’s Prediction about Kufa (Iraq).................................................... 184 53. Instructions to the Army at Nukhayla ....................................................... 184 54. On the Existence of Allah ........................................................................... 185 55. Why People go Astray? .............................................................................. 185 56. Imam Ali’s Magnanimity towards his enemies ......................................... 186 57. Benevolence of Allah ................................................................................. 186 58. Sacrificial Animal ....................................................................................... 187 59. Two Alternatives ........................................................................................ 188 60. Why did Imam Ali Delay the War? ........................................................... 188 61. Bold to Say but Timid to Do ....................................................................... 189 62. Prophecy about Muawiya .......................................................................... 190 63. Imam Ali Rebukes Muawiya ..................................................................... 191 64. About Kharijites ......................................................................................... 191 65. Imam Ali’s Faith in Allah ........................................................................... 192 66. World – A Passing Shadow ....................................................................... 192 67. Worldly Life and Death ............................................................................. 193 68. Allah the Almighty .................................................................................... 194 69. Imam Ali Exhorts his Officers .................................................................... 196 70. Imam Ali’s Claim to Caliphate .................................................................. 197 71. On the Death of Muhammad bin Abi Bakr ................................................ 197 72. Censuring his Hypocritical Companions ................................................... 198 73. Imam Ali’s Dream before Martyrdom ....................................................... 199 74. Imam Ali Censures Iraqis .......................................................................... 199 75. Blessings on the Holy Prophet (s) .............................................................. 200 76. Imam Ali’s Prophecy about a Prisoner ...................................................... 201 77. On the Occasion of Uthman’s Caliphate .................................................... 202 78. Imam Ali absolves himself of the Murder of Uthman ............................... 202 79. Qualities of a True Muslim ........................................................................ 203 80. Complaint against Bani Umayyah ............................................................. 204 81. Seeking Allah’s Forgiveness ...................................................................... 204 82. Do not Believe in Astrology ....................................................................... 204 83. Wiles of Wicked Women ........................................................................... 205 84. On Piety and Devotion .............................................................................. 205 85. This World! ................................................................................................ 206 86. A Wonderful Sermon ................................................................................. 206 87. Rebuttal to the False Propaganda of Amr ibn Aas ..................................... 217 88. A Few Pieces of Advice to his Followers ................................................... 218 89. On Belief and Practice ................................................................................ 218 90. Characteristics of the Faithful, Paganism, Salvation .................................. 220 91. Allah Grants Respite before Chastisement ................................................ 223 92. World before Islam and to Take Lessons from History ............................. 224 93. Attributes of Allah and His Creation ......................................................... 225 94. Allah the Absolute and Incomparable ....................................................... 227 95. Imam Ali being Offered Caliphate ............................................................. 240 96. Imam Ali’s Predictions ............................................................................... 241 97. In Praise of the Holy Prophet (s) ................................................................ 244 98. Arabs at the Dawn of Islam........................................................................ 245 99. In Praise of Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet (s) ......................... 246 100. In Censure of Those who do not Respond ................................................ 246 101. A Prophecy about Umayyads ................................................................... 249 102. On this Mortal Life .................................................................................... 250 103. About the One who will Come to Help .................................................... 251 104. Another Prophecy ..................................................................................... 253 105. Day of Resurrection and two Prophecies .................................................. 254 106. Life and its Philosophy ............................................................................. 255 107. The Way the Holy Prophet (s) Preached ................................................... 257 108. In Praise of the Holy Prophet (s) and his Prophecy .................................. 258 109. On Rise and Fall of the Muslims ............................................................... 260 110. On Retreating and Regaining his Prophecy .............................................. 263 111. On Allah, the Mission of the Holy Prophet (s) and himself ...................... 263 112. On Allah, Angels, Human Nature, and the World’s End ......................... 266 113. What to Believe and how to Benefit from Qur’an ..................................... 271 114. The World and its Mercilessness ............................................................... 272 115. The Angel of death .................................................................................... 276 116. Of Worldly Life and its Pleasures ............................................................. 276 117. What is Piety? ........................................................................................... 278 118. Prayers for Rains ....................................................................................... 281 119. Praise of the Prophet, Life of Hereafter and a Prophecy ........................... 283 120. An Advice to Spend the Wealth in the Cause of Allah ............................. 284 121. Imam Ali’s Faithful Companions .............................................................. 284 122. Imam Ali’s Admonition to his Soldiers .................................................... 285 123. Advice to his Companions ........................................................................ 286 124. Imam Ali Clears the Confusion of Arbitration ......................................... 287 125. A Sermon to the Kharijites ........................................................................ 288 126. Advice to Help the Weak and Nervous .................................................... 290 127. Art of Warfare ........................................................................................... 291 128. On Arbitration at Siffin and his Companions ........................................... 293 129. Distribution of Baytul Mal (Public Treasury) ........................................... 294 130. Kharijites Reprimanded ............................................................................ 296 131. A Prophecy about a Future War ............................................................... 298 132. About Worldly Activities and Paradise .................................................... 300 133. To Abuzar on his Banishment from Madina ............................................. 301 134. A Word of Advice to the People of Kufa .................................................. 302 135. Death and How to be Prepared for it ........................................................ 303 136. The Holy Qur’an, the Prophet and the World .......................................... 304 137. Caliph Umar seeks Imam Ali’s Advice ..................................................... 306 138. Mughira bin Akhnas Rebuked .................................................................. 307 139. Reasons for Talha and Zubayr’s Revolt .................................................... 307 140. Ambiguities Created by Zubayr and his Party Clarified .......................... 308 141. The Awaited Saviour ................................................................................ 310 142. A Prophecy before the Meeting of Counsellors ........................................ 311 143. Evils of Backbiting and Slandering ........................................................... 312 144. Pay no Heed to Libels and Scandals ......................................................... 313 145. Spend Wisely on Deserving Persons and Noble Causes ........................... 313 146. On the Occasion of Offering Prayers for Rains ......................................... 314 147. Missions of the Prophets and Jealousy of People ...................................... 315 148. No Pain, no Gain - Sorrows out-number the Joys of Life .......................... 317 149. Imam Ali’s advice to Caliph Umar ........................................................... 318 150. Distinction between Good and Bad .......................................................... 319 151. The two Rebels - Talha and Zubayr .......................................................... 322 152. There is no Escape from Death.................................................................. 323 153. A Prophecy and the Awaited Imam ......................................................... 325 154. Enemies of Islam. Apostates. Imam’s Companions .................................. 326 155. Achievements of the Prophets will be Forsaken ....................................... 327 156. On Allah, Islam and Human Behaviour ................................................... 329 157. Eminence of Ahlul Bayt (Prophet’s Progeny) ........................................... 333 158. About Bat .................................................................................................. 335 159. Follow the Teachings of Qur’an ................................................................ 337 160. Using Time and Life for Eternal Benefit .................................................... 339 161. Prophecy of Umayyad’s Downfall ............................................................ 341 162. On the Discharge of his Duties ................................................................. 342 163. Slaves of the Powerful and Wealthy! ........................................................ 343 164. Functions of the Prophethood ................................................................... 348 165. Circumstances Depriving Imam Ali’s Right ............................................. 350 166. In Praise of Allah, the Absolute ................................................................ 351 167. Imam Ali Advises Caliph Uthman ........................................................... 353 168. Wonders of Creation. Perfection of Peacock ............................................. 356 169. In Praise of Paradise .................................................................................. 360 170. On Behaviour towards One Another ........................................................ 361 171. Imam Ali Analyses Mental Attitude of his Companions .......................... 361 172. Duties of a True Muslim ........................................................................... 362 173. Imam Ali Avoids Unnecessary Bloodshed ............................................... 364 174. Imam Ali’s Reaction to his Opponents’ Unity .......................................... 365 175. Imam Ali Justifies his Stand at the Battle of Jamal .................................... 366 176. On Defending Islam against Muawiya ..................................................... 366 177. On the Behaviour of Talha and Zubayr .................................................... 368 178. Opponents’ Arguments Used against Them ............................................. 369 179. The Slogan: ‘Avenge the Murder of Uthman’ Exposed ............................ 372 180. The Extent of Imam Ali’s Knowledge ....................................................... 374 181. Preachings of the Prophet and Teachings of Qur’an................................. 375 182. Arbitrator’s Deceit..................................................................................... 380 183. An Advice to Companions ........................................................................ 381 184. How has Imam Ali seen Allah? ................................................................ 382 185. The Hypocrisy of the People Around him ................................................ 383 186. Imam Ali’s Cautious Deserters ................................................................. 384 187. Effects of Sincere Prayers – Marvels of the Universe ................................ 385 188. Allah as the Creator - Reward of the Pious ............................................... 392 189. Retort to a Hollow Slogan ......................................................................... 396 190. Marvels of Creation – Ant and Locust ...................................................... 396 191. Divine Attributes – Mental Limitations. Theory of Inertia. Total Annihilation of Universe .................................................................................. 400 192. Evolution of Society – Behaviour of the Muslims ..................................... 406 193. Realize the Benevolence of Allah. Do not Forget Death ............................ 407 194. Kinds of Minds and the Principle of Hijrah .............................................. 408 195. Adopt Piety. Be Prepared for Death. From Death up to the Day of Judgement ........................................................................................................ 409 196. Piety, the Shield against Vices ................................................................... 412 197. Devil Censured for Vanity and Arrogance ............................................... 415 198. On Attributes of Piety ............................................................................... 432 199. On Hypocrites ........................................................................................... 437 200. In Praise of Allah, the Holy Prophet (s) and Piety .................................... 439 201. Do Good While There is Time ................................................................... 440 202. Imam Ali’s Relation to the Prophet ........................................................... 441 203. On Piety, Islam, Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (s) .................................... 442 204. An Advice to his Companions .................................................................. 446 205. Two Ways of Leading Life ........................................................................ 449 206. Be not Nervous in Case of Minority .......................................................... 450 207. On the demise of his wife Lady Fatima, the Prophet’s Daughter ............. 450 208. World – A Place of Trial ............................................................................ 452 209. An Advice to his Companions .................................................................. 453 210. Imam Ali Rebukes Talha and Zubayr ....................................................... 453 211. Avoid Abusing and Reviling .................................................................... 454 212. Imam Ali’s love for his son Hasan ............................................................ 454 213. Imam Ali Reprimands some of his Disloyal Followers ............................. 455 214. On Having a very Spacious House ........................................................... 456 215. On Spurious and False Traditions............................................................. 457 216. On the Formation of Earth and its Solidification ...................................... 459 217. Lend Your Ear to the Call of Truth ........................................................... 461 218. About Allah and the Purpose of Holy Prophet (s) .................................... 461 219. About Allah, the Holy Prophet (s) and the Purpose of Creation of Mankind ........................................................................................................... 462 220. Supplication of Imam Ali .......................................................................... 463 221. Reciprocity of Rights and Duties .............................................................. 464 222. Rebuking Quraysh .................................................................................... 468 223. On Seeing the Corpses of Talha and Abdul Rahman ................................ 469 224. What a Faithful Muslim does and his reward from Allah ........................ 470 225. Death and Reveller .................................................................................... 470 226. The Great Men .......................................................................................... 475 227. How can One be Ungrateful to the Benevolent Allah? ............................. 477 228. Better suffer pain than injure others ......................................................... 480 229. Supplication of Imam Ali .......................................................................... 482 230. The World and its Ways............................................................................ 482 231. The Friends of Allah ................................................................................. 484 232. A Eulogy ................................................................................................... 484 233. About the Oath of Allegiance to him ........................................................ 485 234. Piety, Devotion and Death ........................................................................ 486 235. On Way to Basra - The Blessings of Allah ................................................. 488 236. The Public Treasury .................................................................................. 488 237. Tongue – the Medium of Habitual Hypocrisy .......................................... 489 238. Causes of Differences in Human Features and Behaviour........................ 490 239. At the Time of the Burial of Holy Prophet (s) ........................................... 490 240. Imam Ali and the Migration of the Holy Prophet (s) ................................ 491 241. Work while there is time and life – Honestly and Diligently .................... 492 242. On Amr ibn Aas and Abu Musa – The Two Arbitrators ........................... 493 243. Attributes of the Prophet’s Progeny.......................................................... 495 244. Imam Ali intends to help Caliph Uthman................................................. 495 245. Avoid Luxury and be Courageous ............................................................ 496 PART II: LETTERS OF IMAM ALI (AS) 1. To the People of Kufa before Proceeded to Basra ........................................ 499 2. To the Citizens of Kufa after the Conquest of Basra .................................... 500 3. To his Qazi (Judge) for Purchasing a House ................................................ 500 4. To the Commander of the Army .................................................................. 502 5. Responsibility of a Governor ....................................................................... 502 6. To Muawiya about the Election ................................................................... 503 7. Reply to Muawiya’s False Accusations ........................................................ 504 8. Imam Ali’s Anxiety about his Messenger, Jarir ........................................... 506 9. A letter to Muawiya ..................................................................................... 506 10. A Letter to Muawiya ................................................................................... 508 11. To his Marshal on sending him to a Battle .................................................. 510 12. Instructions to the Commander of Expeditions .......................................... 510 13. Instructions to Two of his Commanders ..................................................... 511 14. Instructions to the Soldiers on the Battlefield ............................................. 511 15. A Prayer While Facing an Enemy ............................................................... 512 16. Advise to his Followers During the Battle .................................................. 512 17. A Reply to a Letter of Muawiya .................................................................. 513 18. To Abdullah ibn Abbas, the Governor of Basra .......................................... 515 19. Instructions to One of his Governors .......................................................... 516 20. A Reprimand to Ziyad, the Commissioner of Basra ................................... 517 21. A Letter to Ziyad not to be extravagant ...................................................... 518 22. A Letter of Advice to Abdullah ibn Abbas ................................................. 518 23. Instructions to his Family before his Death ................................................ 519 24. Imam Ali’s Will about his Property and Estate .......................................... 519 25. Directions to Assessors and Collectors of Zakat ......................................... 520 26. Instructions to Another Collector of Zakat ................................................. 522 27. To Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr as Governor of Egypt .................................. 523 28. A Reply to a Letter of Muawiya Exposing him .......................................... 526 29. To the People of Basra................................................................................. 531 30. A Letter to Muawiya ................................................................................... 532 31. Remarkable Pieces of Advice to One of his Sons ........................................ 533 32. A Letter to Muawiya ................................................................................... 553 33. To the Governor of Hijaz ............................................................................ 553 34. A Letter of Consolation to Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ............................... 554 35. A Letter of Grief to Abdullah Ibn Abbas .................................................... 555 36. A Reply to the Letter of his Brother Aqil .................................................... 555 37. A Letter to Muawiya ................................................................................... 557 38. A Letter to the People of Egypt ................................................................... 557 39. A Letter to Amr ibn Aas