Timeless Eloquence of Ali Ibn Abi Talib- Part 1
I started this blog series to explore some of the amazing eloquence of Ail Ibn Abi Talib, the first Imam of Shia Islam. Ali is not only known for his bravery and justice but also his insightful eloquence. Nahj al-Balagha is a book based on his speeches about humanity, wisdom and ethics. Throughout this blog series, I want to explore some of his valuable insight and eloquence.
In this blog, I am going to explore one of his exceptional masterpiece. This insightful sermon, which showcases his eloquence and wisdom, does not use a single letter “alif,”. It is worth considering that this letter is the most common letter in the Arabic language. In addition, this speech was delivered extemporaneously. You can see how amazingly and intentionally he uses words to create insightful and thoughtful content.
A sermon without “alif” by Imam Ali
A group of Prophet Muhammad’s companions were once engaged in a discussion about the role of individual letters in spoken Arabic. They observed that the letter “alif” appeared most frequently. It was during this conversation that Imam Ali, known for his eloquence and wisdom, is said to have delivered a sermon without “alif” and a sermon without “letter with dot”. Let’s go through this sermon without “alif”. In future posts, we will cover the other sermon.
حَمِدْتُ مَنْ عَظُمَتْ مِنَّتُهُ وَ سَبَغَتْ نِعْمَتُهُ وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُهُ وَ نـَفـَذَتْ مَشِیتُهُ وَ بَلَغَتْ حُجَّتُهُ وَ عَدَلـَتْ قَضِیتُهُ وَ سَبَقَتْ غَضَبَهُ رَحْمَتُهُ.
I praise the One whose bounty is great, whose blessings are abundant, whose word is complete, whose will prevails, whose proof reaches all, whose justice is fair, and whose mercy precedes His wrath.
حَمِدْتُهُ حَمْدَ مُقِرٍّ بِرُبُوبِیتِهِ مُتَخَضِّعٍ لِعُبُودِیتِهِ مُتَنَصِّلٍ مِنْ خَطِیئَتِهِ مُعْتَرِفٍ بِتَوْحِیدِهِ مُسْتَعِیذٍ مِنْ وَعِیدِهِ مُؤَمِّلٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ مَغْفِرَةً تُنْجِیهِ یوْمَ یشْغَلُ كُلٌّ عَنْ فَصِیلَتِهِ وَ بَنِیهِ.
I praise Him with a praise that acknowledges His Lordship, submits to His servitude, seeks refuge from His punishment, confesses His Oneness, hopes for His forgiveness that saves on the Day when everyone will be occupied with their own affairs and children.
وَ نَسْتَعِینُهُ وَ نَسْتَرْشِدُهُ وَ نُؤْمِنُ بِهِ وَ نَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَیهِ.
And we seek his help, and we seek his guidance, and we believe in him, and we rely upon him.
وَ شَهـِدْتُ لَهُ شُهُودَ عَبْدٍ مُخْلِصٍ مُوقِنٍ وَ فَرَّدْتُهُ تَفْرِیدَ مُؤْمِنٍ مُتَیقـِّنٍ وَ وَحَّدْتُهُ تَوْحِیدَ عَبْدٍ مُذعِنٍ.
And I bear witness for Him with the testimony of a sincere servant, confident, and I I regard Him alone (without partner) as knowing Him alone like knowing a believing servant who is confident; I acknowledge Him as unique like acknowledging a servant who affirms.
لَیسَ لَهُ شَرِیکٌ فِی مُلْكِهِ وَ لَمْ یكُنْ لَهُ وَلِی ٌ فِی صُنْعِهِ.
There is no partner with Him in His dominion, and there is no supporter for Him in His affairs
جَلَّ عَنْ مُشِیرٍ وَ وَزِیرٍ [وَ تَنَزَّهَ عَن مِثل ٍ] وَ عَوْنٍ وَ مُعِینٍ وَ نَظِیرٍ.
He is far above needing an advisor, a minister, [and He is exalted beyond comparison,] and a helper, a supporter, and an equal
عَلِمَ فَسَتَرَ وَ بَطَنَ فَخَبَرَ وَ مَلَكَ فَقَهَرَ وَ عُصِی فَغَفَرَ وَ عُبِدَ فَشَكَرَ وَ حَكَمَ فَعَدَلَ وَ تَكَرَّمَ وَ تَفَضَّلَ لَنْ یزُولَ وَ لَمْ یزَلْ، لَیسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَیءٌ وَ هُوَ قَبْلَ كُلِّ شَیءٍ وَ بَعْدَ كُلِّ شَیءٍ.
He knew, so He veiled; He encompassed, so He informed; He possessed, so He subdued; He was disobeyed, so He forgave; He was worshiped, so He thanked; He judged, so He was just; He honored, so He distinguished. He will not vanish, and He has never ceased to exist. There is nothing like Him, and He is before all things and after all things.
رَبّ ٌ مُتَفَرِّدٌ بِعِزَّتِهِ مُتَمَكِّنٌ بقوَّتِهِ مُتَقَدِّسٌ بعُلُوِّهِ مُتَكَبِّرٌ بسُمُوِّهِ، لَیسَ یدْرِكُهُ بَصَرٌ وَ لَمْ یحِطْ بِهِ نَظَرٌ، قَوِی مَنِیعٌ بَصِیرٌ سَمِیعٌ [عَلِی ٌ حَکیمٌ] رَؤوفٌ رَحِیمٌ [عزیزٌ علیمٌ]، عَجَزَ عَنْ وَصْفِهِ مَنْ وَصَفَهُ وَ ضَلَّ عَنْ نَعْتِهِ مَنْ عَرَّفـَهُ.
He is the Lord, unique in His might, powerful in His strength, holy in His exaltation, majestic in His loftiness. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is the Subtle, the Aware, the All-Hearing. [He is Wise] He is Compassionate, Merciful. [He is Mighty, All-Knowing] Those who describe Him fall short, and those who comprehend Him fail to describe His attributes.
قَرُبَ فَبَعُدَ وَ بَعُدَ فَقَرُبَ یجِیبُ دَعْوَةَ مَنْ یدْعُوهُ وَ یرْزُقُهُ وَ یحْبُوهُ ذُو لُطْفٍ خَفِی وَ بَطْشٍ قَوِی وَ رَحْمَةٍ مُوسَِعَةٍ وَ عُقُوبَةٍ مُوجِعَةٍ.
He is near, then far; far, then near. He responds to the call of those who call upon Him, and He provides for them. He loves them with a hidden kindness, with a powerful grip, with expansive mercy, and with a punishing retribution.
رَحْمَتُهُ جَنَّةٌ عَرِیضَةٌ مُونِقَةٌ وَ عُقُوبَتُهُ جَحِیمٌ مَمْدُودَةٌ مُوبِقَةٌ.
His mercy is a vast, melodious garden, and His punishment is an extended, formidable hell.
وَ شَهـِدْتُ ببَعْثِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ نَبِیهِ وَ صَفِیهِ وَ حَبِیبِهِ وَ خَلِیلِهِ، بَعَثـَهُ فِی خَیرِ عَصْرٍ وَ حِینَ فـَترَةٍ وَ كُفْرٍ، رَحْمَة ً لِعَبِیدِهِ وَ مِنَّة ً لِمَزِیدِهِ.
And I bear witness to the sending of Muhammad, His servant, His Messenger, His Prophet, His chosen one, and His beloved, and His intimate friend. He was sent in the best of eras and at a time of disbelief, a mercy to His servants and a gift to His creation.
خُتِمَ بِهِ نُبُوَّتـُهُ وَ وَضَحَتْ بِهِ حُجَّتُهُ فَوَعَظَ وَ نَصَحَ وَ بَلَّغَ وَ كَدَحَ.
With him, prophethood was sealed, and through him, his proof became clear. He preached, advised, conveyed, and struggled earnestly.
رَؤوفٌ بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ، رَحِیمٌ سَخِی رَضِی وَلِی زَكِی. عَلَیهِ رَحْمَةٌ وَ تَسْلِیمٌ وَ بَرَكَةٌ وَ تَعْظِیمٌ وَ تَکْرِیمٌ مِنْ رَبٍّ غَفُورٍ رَحِیمٍ قَرِیبٍ مُجِیبٍ حَلِیمٍ.
He is compassionate towards every believer, merciful, generous, content, and pure. Upon him are blessings, submission, grace, reverence, and honor from the Merciful, Forgiving Lord, who is near, responsive, and forbearing.
وَصَّیتُكُمْ مَعْشَرَ مَنْ حَضَرَ، بوَصِیةِ رَبِّكُمْ، وَ ذَكَّرْتُكُمْ بسُنَّة ِ نَبِیكُمْ.
I advise you, O gathering of those present, with the counsel of your Lord, and I remind you of the tradition of your Prophet.
فَعَلَیكُمْ برَهْبَةٍ تُسَكِّنُ قُلُوبَكُمْ وَ خَشْیةٍ تُذرِی دُمُوعَكُمْ وَ تَقِیةٍ تُنْجِیكُمْ قَبْلَ یوْمٍ یذهِلُكُمْ وَ یبْتَلِیكُمْ، یوْمَ یفُوزُ فِیهِ مَنْ ثـَقـُلَ وَزْنُ حَسَنَتِهِ وَ خَفَّ وَزْنُ سَیئَتِهِ.
So, upon you is the reverence that calms your hearts, the fear that brings tears to your eyes, and the piety that saves you before the day when it will astonish and test you, the day on which the one whose good deeds weigh heavy will triumph, and the one whose bad deeds weigh heavy will falter.
وَ [لْتَكُن مَسألَتُكُم] مَسْأَلَةَ ذ ُلٍّ وَ خُضُوعٍ، وَ تَمَلّـُقٍ [و شُکرٍ] وَ خُشُوعٍ، وَ تَوْبَةٍ وَ نُزُوعٍ، [و نـَدَمٍ و رُجوعٍ].
And let your asking be with humility and submission, with sincerity and gratitude, with reverence and repentance, with regret and return.
وَ لْیغْتَنِمْ كُلّ ٌمِنْكُمْ صِحَّتَهُ قَبْلَ سُقْمِهِ، وَ شَیبَتَهُ قَبْلَ هَرَمِهِ، وَ سَعَتَهُ قَبْلَ فَقرِهِ، وَ فَرْغَتَهُ قَبْلَ شُغُلِهِ، وَ حَضَرَهُ قَبْلَ سَفَرِهِ، وَ حَیاتَهُ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ، قَبْلَ یهِنَ وَ یهْرَمَ، وَ یمْرَضَ وَ یسْقَمَ، وَ یمِلَّهُ طَبِیبُهُ وَ یعْرِضَ عَنْهُ حَبِیبُهُ، وَ ینْقَطِعَ عُمُرُهُ وَ یتَغَیرَ عَقْلُهُ، ثُمَّ قِیلَ: “هُوَ مَوْعُوکٌ وَ جِسْمُهُ مَنْهُوکٌ!”، ثُمَّ جَدَّ فِی نَزْعٍ شَدِیدٍ، وَحَضَرَهُ كُلُّ قَرِیبٍ وَ بَعِیدٍ، فَشَخَصَ بِبَصَرِهِ وَ طَمَحَ بِنَظَرِهِ، وَ رَشَحَ جَبِینُهُ وَ سَكَنَ حَنینُهُ، وَ جَدَبَتْ نَفْسُهُ، وَ بَكَتْ عِرْسُهُ وَ حَضَرَ رَمْسُهُ، وَ یتِمَ مِنْهُ وَلَدُهُ وَ تَفَرَّقَ عَنْهُ عَدَدُهُ، وَ فُصِمَ جَمْعُهُ وَ ذَهَبَ بَصَرُهُ وَ سَمْعُهُ، وَ جُرِّدَ وَ غُسِّلَ وَ عُرِی، وَ نُشِّفَ وَ سُجِّی، وَ بُسِطَ لَهُ وَ هُیئَ، وَ نُشِرَ عَلَیهِ كَفَنُهُ وَ شُدَّ مِنْهُ ذَقَنُهُ، [وَ قُمِّصَ و عُمِّمَ، وَ لـُفَّ و وُدِّعَ وَ سُلـِّمَ]؛
And let each of you benefit from his health before his illness, and his youth before his old age, his wealth before his poverty, his free time before his occupation, his presence before his journey, his life before his death, before he weakens and becomes feeble, before he falls ill and becomes bedridden. Then it is said: “He is destined and his body is mortal!” Then he intensely prepared for departure, with everyone near and far attending him. He stared with his eyes, longing with his gaze, his forehead wrinkled, his heart settled, his breath grew short, his family wept, his companions gathered, his offspring completed his circle and his companions scattered. His assembly was silenced, his sight and hearing departed, he was stripped, washed, and left naked. He was stretched out, prepared, his shroud spread over him, his beard trimmed, and he was wrapped, bid farewell, and surrendered.
وَ حُمِلَ فَوْقَ سَرِیرٍ، وَ صُلِّی عَلَیهِ بِتَکْبِیرٍ، بِغَیرِ سُجُودٍ وَ تَعْفِیرٍ، وَ نُقِلَ مِنْ دُورٍ مُزَخْرَفَةٍ وَ قُصُورٍ مُشَیدَةٍ وَ فُرُشٍ مُنَجَّدَةٍ وَ حُجَرٍ مُنَضَّدَةٍ، فَجُعِلَ فِی ضَرِیحٍ مَلْحُودٍ، ضَیقٍ مَرْصُودٍ، بِلَبِنٍ مَنْضُودٍ، مُسَقَّفٍ بِجُلْمُودٍ!
And he was carried above a bier, prayers recited upon him with glorification, without prostration and bowing. He was transported from adorned chambers and majestic palaces, adorned beds and solid stones. He was placed in a secluded grave, a narrow resting place, with fragrant lime, covered with layers of soil!
وَ هِیلَ عَلَیهِ [حَفَرُهُ] وَ حُثِی [عَلَیهِ] مَدَرُهُ وَ تَحَقَّقَ حَذَرُهُ وَ نُسِی خَبَرُهُ، وَ رَجَعَ عَنْهُ وَلِیهُ وَ نَدِیمُهُ، وَ نَسِیبُهُ وَ حَمِیمُهُ، وَ تَبَدَّلَ بِهِ قَرِینُهُ وَ حَبِیبُهُ، فَهُوَ حَشْوُ قَبْرٍ وَ رَهِینُ [قَفرٍ]! یدِبُّ فِی جِسْمِهِ دُودُ قَبْرِهِ وَ یسِیلُ صَدِیدُهُ مِنْ مَنْخَِرِهِ، وَ تَسْحَقُ تُرْبَتُهُ لَحْمَهُ، وَ ینْشَفُ دَمُهُ وَ یرَمُّ عَظْمُهُ، حَتَّی یوْمِ حَشْرِهِ، [فَینْشَرُ] مِنْ قَبْرِهِ، وَ ینْفَخُ فِی الصُّورِ، وَ یدْعَیٰ لِحَشْرٍ وَ نُشُورٍ، فَثَمَّ بُعْثِرَتْ قُبُورٌ، وَ حُصِّلَتْ سَرِیرَةٌ فِی صُدُورٍ؛
And the earth was heaped upon him, and his tomb was built over him. His companions and close friends turned away from him, forgetting his news. His confidant, intimate, and beloved ones departed from him, and his associates and dear ones were replaced. He became the inhabitant of a grave and the pledge of the earth! Worms crawl in his body, and sweat flows from his forehead. His flesh is crushed by the soil, his blood dries up, and his bones crumble until the Day of Resurrection, when he emerges from his grave and is blown into the trumpet. The call for resurrection and gathering is made, graves are scattered, and secrets are revealed in hearts.
وَ جِیءَ بِكُلِّ نَبِی وَ صِدِّیقٍ، وَ شَهِیدٍ وَ مِنْطِیقٍ، وَ [تَوَلـَّیٰ] لِفَصْلِ حُکْمِهِ [رَبٌّ] قَدِیرٌ، بِعَبْدِهِ خَبِیرٌ بَصِیرٌ؛ فَكَمْ [مِن] زَفرَةٍ تُضنیهِ وَ حَسْرَةٍ تُنضیهِ، فِی مَوْقِفٍ مَهِیلٍ [عَظیمٍ]، وَ مَشْهَدٍ جَلِیلٍ [جَسیمٍ]، بَینَ یدَی مَلِکٍ [كَریمٍ]، بِكُلِّ صَغِیرَةٍ وَ كَبِیرَةٍ عَلِیمٍ؛
And every prophet, truthful one, martyr, and righteous person will be brought forth. The Supreme Lord, the All-Powerful, will preside over the judgment, informed and insightful about His servants. How many a sigh will oppress him and how many a regret will torment him, in a situation of great solemnity and a majestic scene, before a generous and noble King, who knows every small and great thing.
فَحِینَئِذٍ یلْجِمُهُ عَرَقُهُ وَ [یحفِزُهُ] قَلَقُهُ، فَعَبْرَتُهُ غَیرُ مَرْحُومَةٍ وَ صَرْخَتُهُ غَیرُ مَسْمُوعَةٍ [وَ حُجَّتـُهُ غَیرُ مَقبُولَةٍ]، وَ بَرَزَتْ صَحِیفَتُهُ وَ تَبَینَتْ جَرِیرَتُهُ، [وَ نَطَقَ كُلُّ عُضوٍ مِنهُ] بِسُوءِ عَمَلِهِ، وَ شَهِدَتْ عَینُهُ بِنَظَرِهِ، وَ یدُهُ بِبَطْشِهِ، وَ رِجْلُهُ بِخَطْوِهِ، وَ جِلْدُهُ بِلَمْسِهِ وَ فَرْجُهُ بِمَسِّهِ؛
At that moment, his sweat will stifle him and his anxiety will agitate him. His plea will not be granted mercy, his cry will go unheard, and his argument will not be accepted. His record will be laid bare, his faults will be exposed by every limb: his eyes will testify with their gaze, his hands with their grip, his feet with their steps, his skin with its touch, and his heart with its pulsation.
وَ یهَدِّدُهُ مُنْكَرٌ وَ نَكِیرٌ، وَ كُشِفَ [عَنهُ] حَیثُ یصِیرُ، فَسُلْسِلَ جِیدُهُ وَ غُلَّتْ یدُهُ، فَسِیقَ یسْحَبُ وَحْدَهُ، فَوَرَدَ جَهَنَّمَ [بِكَربٍ] شَدِیدٍ، وَ ظَلَّ یعَذَّبُ فِی جَحِیمٍ، وَ یسْقَی شَرْبَةً مِنْ حَمِیمٍ، تَشْوِی وَجْهَهُ وَ تَسْلَخُ جِلْدَهُ، [یضرِبُهُ زَبینـَتـُهُ بِمِقمَعٍ مِن حَدیدٍ، یعُودُ جِلدُهُ بَعدَ نَضجِهِ بِجِلدٍ جَدیدٍ]، یسْتَغِیثُ فَیعْرِضُ عَنْهُ خَزَنَةُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَ یسْتَصْرِخُ فَیلْبَثُ حُقْبَهُ بِنَدَمٍ؛
And the denier and rejecter threaten him, and it will be revealed to him where he turns. His chains will be tightened, his hands will be bound tightly, and he will be dragged alone. Hellfire will be brought forth with intense heat, where he will suffer torment in the blazing fire, and he will be given a drink of boiling water that will scald his face and tear his skin. His sides will be struck with iron hammers, his skin will be replaced after it is cooked with new skin. He will cry for help, but the keepers of Hell will turn away from him, and he will call out in regret for ages.
نَعُوذُ بِرَبٍّ قَدِیرٍ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ مَصِیرٍ، وَ نَسْأَلُهُ عَفْوَ مَنْ رَضِی عَنْهُ، وَ مَغْفِرَةَ مَنْ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ؛ فَهُوَ وَلِی مَسْأَلَتِی وَ مُنْجِحُ طَلِبَتِی؛
We seek refuge with a capable Lord from the evil of every outcome, and we ask Him for forgiveness from those whom He is pleased with, and pardon from those whom He accepts. He is the Guardian of my plea and the fulfiller of my request.
فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنْ تَعْذِیبِ رَبِّهِ جُعِلَ فِی جَنَّتِهِ بِقُرْبِهِ، وَ خُلِّدَ فِی قُصُورٍ وَ نِعَمِهِ، وَ [مُكِّنَ مِن] حُورٍ عِینٍ وَ حَفَدَةٍ [وَ طِیفَ عَلَیهِ بِكُؤُوسٍ، وَ سَكَنَ حَظیرَةً مُشَیدَةً وَ مَكُنَ فِردَوسَ]، وَ تَقَلَّبَ فِی نَعِیمٍ وَ سُقِی مِنْ تَسْنِیمٍ، [وَ شَرِبَ مِن عَینِ سَلسَبیلٍ مَمزوجَةٍ بِزَنجَبیلٍ]، مَخْتُومَةٍ بِمِسْکٍ وَ [عَبیرٍ، مُستَدیمٌ لِلحُبُورِ، مُستشعِرٌ لِلسُّرورِ، یشرَبُ مِن خُمُورٍ، فی رَوضٍ مُشرِقٍ مُغدِقٍ، لَیسَ یصدَعُ مَن شَرِبَهُ]، یشْرَبُ مِنْ خَمْرٍ مَعْذُوبٍ شُرْبُهُ، لَیسَ ینْزَفُ لُبُّهُ؛
Whoever is spared from the punishment of his Lord will be given a place in Paradise near Him, where he will dwell forever in palaces and enjoy blessings. He will be given [beautiful] maidens with wide eyes and [handsome] young men to serve him. [He will be served] with goblets of wine, and will live in a magnificent palace, and be given a place in the Garden of Eden. He will live in bliss and be given to drink of the purest wine. [He will drink from the fountain of Salsabil, mixed with ginger], sealed with musk and [perfume]. It is a constant source of delight and joy. He will drink from goblets in a bright and verdant garden, from which the drinker will never suffer a headache. He will drink from sweet wine, easy to drink, from which his heart will never bleed.
هَذِهِ مَنْزِلَةُ مَنْ خَشِی رَبَّهُ وَ حَذَّرَ نَفْسَهُ، وَ تِلْكَ عُقُوبَةُ مَنْ عَصَی مُنْشِئَهُ وَ سَوَّلَتْ لَهُ نَفْسُهُ مَعْصِیةَ مُبْدِئِهِ؛ لَهُوَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ وَ حُکْمٌ عَدْلٌ، خَیرُ قَصَصٍ قُصَّ وَ وُعِظَ بِهِ وَ نُصَّ، تَنْزِیلٌ مِنْ حَكِیمٍ حَمِیدٍ.
This is the abode of those who fear their Lord and restrain their souls, and that is the punishment of those who disobey their Creator and their souls tempt them to disobey their Originator. This is a decisive word and a just decree, the best of stories told and preached with it, a revelation from a Wise and Praised One.
[نَزَلَ بِهِ رُوحُ قُدُسٍ مُبینٍ، عَلیٰ نَبِی مُهتَدٍ مَکینٍ، صَلَّت عَلَیهِ رُسُلٌ سَفَرَةٌ مُكَرَّمُونَ بَرَرَةٌ؛ عُذتُ بِرَبٍّ رَحیمٍ مِن شَرِّ كُلِّ رَجیمٍ، فَلْیتَضَرَّعْ مُتَضَرِّعُكُم و لْیبتَهـِلْ مُبتَهـِلُكُمْ، فَنَستَغفِرُ رَبَّ كُلِّ مَربُوبٍ، لی وَ لَكُمْ.]
A clear Holy Spirit brought it down upon a guided and established Prophet. May peace be upon him from the messengers who are travellers, honored, righteous. I seek refuge with the Merciful Lord from the evil of every outcast. So let your supplicant supplicate and your invoker invokes, and we will ask forgiveness from the Lord of all Lords, for myself and for you.
