Creation of Universe

Age of Ignorance, Household of Muhammad, hypocrites

Shaqshaqiya (literally, "roar of the camel"), in which Alī lays out his claim to the caliphate and his superiority over his predecessors

His far-sightedness and his steadfastness in Islam

When Abbas and Abu Sufyan offered to pay allegiance to him for the caliphate after Muhammad''s death

On being advised not to chase Talha and Zubayr for fighting

The hypocrites

About Zubayr at a time for which it was appropriate

Cowardice of his enemies in the Battle of the Camel

Talha and Zubayr

When he gave the standard of the Battle of the Camel to his son Mohammad

When, after his victory in the Battle of the Camel, one of his comrades said, "I wish my brother had been present and he too would have seen what success and victory God had given you"

Condemning the people of Basra

Also in condemnation of the people of Basra

After resuming the land grants made by Uthman

Delivered when the people of Madina swore allegiance to him

About those who sit for dispensation of justice among people but are not fit for it

In disparagement of contradictory views among Muslim jurists

Treachery and hypocrisy of al-Ashath al-Kindi

Death and taking lessons from it

Advice to keep light in this world

About those who accused him of killing Uthman

Keeping aloof from envy, and good behavior towards kin

Exhorting people for jihad

When his men were overpowered by Muawiya''s men

People after Muhammad''s death, the settlement between Muawiya and Amr ibn al-As

The transient nature of this world and importance of the next world

About those who found pretexts at the time of jihad

In connection with Uthman''s killing

Before the Battle of the Camel, he sent Ibn Abbas to Zubayr to advise him back to obedience

Disparagement of the world and categories of people

At the time of setting for the Battle of the Camel

Exhorting people to fight against the people of Syria

After arbitration

Warning the people of Nahrawan of their fate

His steadfastness and precedence in Islam

In disparagement of those in doubt

In disparagement of those who shrink from fighting

In response to the slogan of Kharijites: "Judgment belongs to God alone"

In condemnation of treason

Heart''s desires and hopes

In response to a suggestion of war

When Masqala defected to Syria

The greatness of God and the lowliness of this world

When he decided to march towards Syria

Calamities befalling Kufa

At the time of marching towards Syria

God''s greatness and sublimity

Admixture of right and wrong

When his men were prevented from taking water from the River Euphrates

Reward and punishment in the next world

On the description of the Day of Sacrifice

On the swear of allegiance

When his men showed impatience on his delay in giving them permission to fight in Siffin

Steadiness on the battlefield

Muawiya swallows whatever he gets and craves for what he does not get

Addressing the Kharijites

When he was told that the Kharijites had crossed the bridge of Nahrawan

When he was told that the Kharijites had been totally annihilated

Do not fight the Kharijites after me!

When he was warned of being killed by deceit

Transience of this world

Decline and destruction of this world

Attributes of God

Ways of fighting

On hearing the account of what took place in Saqifah of Bani-Sa''ida

When Mohammad ibn Abi Bakr, governor of Egypt, was overpowered and killed

Admonishing his companions for careless behavior

In the morning of the day he was fatally struck with a sword

In condemnation of the people of Iraq

Praise for Muhammad

When Hasan and Husayn interceded on behalf of Marwan

When the elective committee (or shura) decided to swear allegiance to Uthman

When he learned that the Umayyads blamed him for killing Uthman

Preaching and counseling

Banu Umayyad

One of his supplications

Prophecy of astrologers

Shortcomings of women

Way of preaching and counseling

World and its people

Al-Gharra (literally, "the brilliant"), in which Ali enjoined people to piety

Amr ibn al-As

Perfection of God and counseling

Preparing for the hereafter by following God''s commandments

Faithful and unfaithful believers

Factions of community

Holy Prophet

God''s attributes and some advice

Al-Ashbaah (literally, "the skeletons"), in which Ali talked about the creation of the universe

When people decided to swear allegiance to him after the murder of Uthman

Annihilation of the Kharijites, mischief mongering of the Umayyads, vastness of his own knowledge

God''s praise and eulogy of the prophets

Age of Ignorance and Muhammad''s efforts to disseminate God''s message

In eulogy of Muhammad

Admonishing his companions

Oppression of the Umayyads

Abstinence of the world and vicissitudes of time

Muhammad and his descendants

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام) في الاستسقاء وفيه تنبيه العباد إلى وجوب استغاثة رحمة الله إذا حبس عنهم رحمة المطر

أَلاَ وَإِنَّ الاْرْضَ الَّتِي تَحْمِلُكُم، وَالسَّماءَ الَّتِي تُظِلُّكُمْ، مُطِيعَتَانِ لِرَبِّكُمْ، وَمَا أَصْبَحَتَا تَجُودَانِ لَكُمْ بِبَرَكَتِهِمَا تَوَجُّعاً لَكُمْ، وَلاَ زُلْفَةً إِلَيْكُمْ، وَلاَ لِخَيْر تَرْجُوَانِهِ مِنْكُمْ، وَلكِنْ أُمِرَتَا بِمَنَافِعِكُمْ فَأَطَاعَتَا، وَأُقِيمَتَا عَلَى حُدُودِ مَصَالِحِكُمْ فَقَامَتَا.

Beware; the earth which bears you and the sky which overshadows you are obedient to their Sustainer (Allāh). They have not been bestowing their blessings on you for any feeling of pity on you or inclination towards you, nor for any good which they expect from you, but they were commanded to bestow benefits on you and they are obeying, and were asked to maintain your good and so they are maintaining it.

إِنَّ اللهَ يَبْتَلِي عِبَادَهُ عِنْدَ الاْعْمَالِ السَّيِّئَةِ بِنَقْصِ الَّثمَرَاتِ، وَحَبْسِ الْبَرَكَاتِ، وَإِغْلاَقِ خَزَائِنِ الْخَيْرَاتِ، لِيَتُوبَ تَائِبٌ، وَيُقْلِعَ مُقْلِعٌ، وَيَتَذَكَّرَ مُتَذَكِّرٌ، وَيَزْدَجِرَ مُزْدَجِرٌ. وَقَدْ جَعَلَ اللهُ سُبْحَانَهُ الاسْتِغْفَارَ سَبَباً لِدُرُورِ الرِّزْقِ وَرَحْمَةِ الْخَلْقِ، فَقَالَ: ﴿اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا. يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا. وَيُمْدِدْكُم بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ أَنْهَارًا.﴾

Certainly, Allāh tries his creatures in respect of their evil deeds by decreasing fruits, holding back blessings and closing the treasures of good, so that he who wishes to repent may repent, he who wishes to turn away (from evils) may turn away, he who wishes to recall (forgotten good) may recall, and he who wishes to abstain (from evil) may abstain. Allāh, the Glorified, has made the seeking of (His) forgiveness a means for the pouring down of livelihood and mercy on the people as Allāh has said: “. . . Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord! Verily, He is the Most forgiving, He will send (down) upon you the cloud raining in torrents, and help you with wealth and sons (children) . . .” (Qur’ān, 71:10—12)

فَرَحِمَ اللهُ امْرَأً اسْتَقْبَلَ تَوْبَتَهُ، وَاسْتَقَالَ خَطِيئَتَهُ، وَبَادَرَ مَنِيَّتَهُ!

Allāh may shower mercy on him who took up repentance, gave up sins and hastened (in performing good acts before) his death.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا خَرَجْنَا إِلَيْكَ مِنْ تَحْتِ الاْسْتَارِ وَالاْكْنَانِ، وَبَعْدَ عَجِيجِ الْبَهَائِمِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ، رَاغِبِينَ فِي رَحْمَتِكَ، وَرَاجِينَ فَضْلَ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَخَائِفِينَ مِنْ عَذَابِكَ وَنِقْمَتِكَ.

O my Allāh! we have come out to Thee from under the curtains and coverings (of houses) when the beasts and children are crying, seeking Thy Mercy, hoping for the generosity of Thy bounty and fearing Thy chastisement and retribution.

اللَّهُمَّ فَاسْقِنَا غَيْثَكَ، وَلاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْقَانِطِينَ، وَلاَ تُهْلِكْنَا بِالسِّنِين، وَلاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا ﴿بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّا﴾ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

O my Allāh! give us to drink from Thy rain and do not disappoint us, nor kill us by years (of drought) nor punish us “..for what the foolish among us have committed” (7:155), O the Most Merciful of all !

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا خَرَجْنَا إِلَيْكَ نَشْكُو إِلَيْكَ مَا لاَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْكَ، حِينَ أَلْجَأَتْنَا الْمضَايِقُ الْوَعْرَةُ، وَأَجَاءَتْنَا الْمَقَاحِطُ الْـمُجْدِبَةُ، وَأَعْيَتْنَا الْمَطَالِبُ الْمُتَعَسِّرَةُ، وَتَلاَحَمَتْ عَلَيْنَا الْفِتَنُ الْمُسْتَصْعِبَةُ.

O my Allāh! we have come out to Thee to complain to Thee what is (already) not hidden from Thee, when the seven troubles have forced us, droughty famines have driven us, distressing wants have made us helpless and troublesome mischiefs have incessantly befallen us.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ أَلاَّ تَرُدَّنَا خَائِبِينَ، وَلاَ تَقْلِبَنَا وَاجِمِينَ، وَلاَ تُخَاطِبَنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا، وَلاَ تُقَايِسَنَا بِأَعْمَالِنَا.

O my Allāh! we beseech Thee not to send us back disappointed, nor to return us with down-cast eyes, nor to address us (harshly) for our sins, nor deal with us according to our deeds.

اللَّهُمَّ انْشُرْ عَلَيْنَا غَيْثَكَ وَبَرَكَتَكَ، وَرِزْقَكَ وَرَحْمَتَكَ، وَاسْقِنَا سُقْيَا نَافِعَةً مُرْوِيَةً مُعْشِبَةً، تُنْبِتُ بِهَا مَا قَدْ فَاتَ، وَتُحْيِي بِهَا مَا قَدْ مَاتَ، نَافِعَةَ الْحَيَا، كَثِيرَةَ الْـمُجْتَنَى، تُرْوِي بِهَا الْقِيعَانَ، وَتُسِيلُ الْبُطْنَانَ، وَتَسْتَوْرِقُ الاْشْجَارَ، وَتُرْخِصُ الاْسْعَارَ، إِنَّكَ عَلى مَا تَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ.

O my Allāh! do pour on us Thy mercy, Thy blessing, Thy sustenance and Thy pity, and make us enjoy a drink which benefits us, quenches our thirst, produces green herbage with which all that was lost gets a growing and all that had withered comes to life again. It should bring about the benefit of freshness and plentifulness of ripe fruits. With it plains may be watered, rivers may begin flowing, plants may pick up foliage and prices may come down. Surely, Thou art powerful over whatever Thou willest.

Extrait d’un discours Pour demander la pluie où il attire l'attention sur la nécessité d’implorer la miséricorde de Bien lorsqu’il cesse d’envoyer la pluie

Il va de soi que la terre qui vous porte et le ciel au-dessus de vous sont obéissants à votre Seigneur. Ils ne vous prodiguent pas leurs bénédictions pour compatir à vos maux ou pour s'approcher de vous ou dans l’espoir d’un bien de votre part, mais ils obéissent à l’ordre divin de vous être utiles et de répondre à vos besoins.

Dieu éprouve Ses créatures qui agissent mal par la diminution des récoltes, la suspension des bénédictions, la fermeture des coffres des biens, pour qu’on se repente, on cesse de faire le mal, on se rappelle les commandements de Dieu ou pour réprimander les mauvaises actions. Dieu, qu'il soit loué, a fait que la demande du pardon soit une cause de l’abondance des biens et de la miséricorde envers les créatures. Il dit: «Implorez le pardon de votre Seigneur, car II est grand Pardenneur. Pour qu’il vous envoie du ciel des pluies abondantes. Et qu’il vous accorde beaucoup de biens et d’enfants, et vous donne des jardins et vous donne des rivières» (Noé, 10-12).

Que Dieu aie pitié d’un homme qui tend à se repentir, délaisse son péché et se prépare à la mort!

Notre Seigneur! Nous voilà sortis de sous les tentes et des maisons, après les gémissements des bêtes et des enfants, désirant Ta miséricorde, espérant dans Tes grâces généreuses et craignant Ton châtiment et Ta vengeance.

Notre Seigneur! Désaltère-nous par Ta pluie, sauvenous de la désespérance et ne nous détruis pas par la sécheresse. «Et ne nous punis pas à cause de la perversité de quelques-uns d’entre nous», Toi, le plus miséricordieux des miséricordieux!

Notre Seigneur, nous sommes sortis vers Toi, nous plaignant de ce qui n’est pas caché pour Toi, car nous nous sommes entraînés par les difficultés graves et les années stériles, et nous sommes impuissants devant les demandes difficiles à supporter. Ajoutons à cela tes séditions compliquées.

Notre Seigneur, nous T'implorons de ne pas nous laisser revenir frustrés dans nos espérances et les yeux baissés de tristesse. Ne nous juge pas d’après nos péchés et nos actes.

Seigneur, répands sur nous Ta pluie bienfaisante, Ta bénédiction, Tes biens et Ta miséricorde. Désaltère-nous d’une pluie bénéfique, qui fait repousser les herbes desséchées et vivifier ce qui est mort; une pluie utile, prometteuse de bonnes récoltes, arrosant les plaines, faisant couler les ruisseaux, verdoyer les arbres et abaisser les prix de consommation. «Tu es, certes, capable de faire ce que Tu veux».

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 1, Chapter 143