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) ينبه على إحاطة علم اللّه بالجزئيات ثم يحث على التقوى ويبين فضل الإسلام والقرآن

يَعْلَمُ عَجِيجَ الْوُحُوشِ فِي الْفَلَوَاتِ، وَمَعاصِيَ الْعِبَادِ فِي الْخَلَوَاتِ، وَاخْتِلاَفَ النِّينَانِ فِي الْبِحَارِ الْغَامِرَاتِ، وَتَلاَطُمَ الْمَاءِ بِالرِّيَاحِ الْعَاصِفَاتِ. وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً نَجِيبُ اللهِ، وَسَفِيرُ وَحْيِهِ، وَرَسُولُ رَحْمَتِهِ.

Allāh knows the cries of the beasts in the forest, the sins of the people in seclusion, the movements of the fishes in the deep seas and the rising of the water by tempestuous winds. I stand witness that Muḥammad is the choice of Allāh, the conveyor of His revelation and the messenger of His mercy.

[الوصية بالتقوى :] أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنَّي أُوصِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللهِ الَّذِي ابْتَدَأَ خَلْقَكُمْ، وَإِلَيْهِ يَكُونُ مَعَادُكُمْ، وَبِهِ نَجَاحُ طَلِبَتِكُمْ، وَإِلَيْهِ مُنْتَهْى رَغْبَتِكُمْ، وَنَحْوَهُ قَصْدُ سَبِيلِكُمْ، وَإِلَيْهِ مَرَامِي مَفْزَعِكُمْ، فَإِنَّ تَقْوَى اللهِ دَوَاءُ دَاءِ قُلُوبِكُمْ، وَبَصَرُ عَمَى أَفِئِدَتِكُمْ، وَشِفَاءُ مَرَضِ أَجْسَادِكُمْ، وَصَلاَحُ فَسَادِ صُدُورِكُمْ، وَطُهُورُ دَنَسِ أَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَجِلاَءُ عَشَا أَبْصَارِكُمْ، وَأَمْنُ فَزَعِ جَأْشِكُمْ، وَضِيَاءُ سَوَادِ ظُلْمَتِكُمْ.

[Advantages of fear of Allāh :] Now then, I advise you to fear Allāh, Who created you for the first time; towards Him is your return, with Him lies the success of your aims, at Him terminate (all) your desires, towards Him runs your path of right and He is the aim of your fears (for seeking protection). Certainly, fear of Allāh is the medicine for the sickness of your hearts, sight for the blindness of your spirits, the cure for the ailments of your bodies, the rectifier of the evils of your breasts, the purifier of the pollution of your minds, the light of the darkness of your eyes, the consolation for the fear of your heart and the brightness for the gloom of your ignorance.

فَاجْعَلُوا طَاعَةَ اللهِ شِعَاراً دُونَ دِثَارِكُمْ، وَدَخِيلاً دُونَ شِعَارِكُمْ، وَلَطِيفاً بَيْنَ أَضْلاَعِكُمْ، وَأَمِيراً فَوْقَ أُمُورِكُمْ، وَمَنْهَلاً لِحِينِ ورْدِكُم، وَشَفِيعاً لِدَرَكِ طَلِبَتِكُمْ، وَجُنَّةً لِيَوْمِ فَزَعِكُمْ، وَمَصَابِيحَ لِبُطُونِ قُبُورِكُمْ، وَسَكَناً لِطُولِ وَحْشَتِكُمْ، وَنَفَساً لِكَرْبِ مَوَاطِنِكُمْ، فَإِنَّ طَاعَةَ اللهِ حِرْزٌ مِنْ مَتَالِفَ مُكْتَنِفَة، وَمَخَاوِفَ مُتَوَقَّعَة، وَأُوَارِ نِيرَان مُوقَدَة.

Therefore, make obedience to Allāh the way of your life and not only your outside covering, make it your inner habit instead of only outer routine, subtle enough to enter through your ribs (up to the heart), the guide for all your affairs, the watering place for your getting down (on the Day of Judgement), the interceder for the achievement of your aims, asylum for the day of your fear, the lamp of the interior of your graves, company for your long loneliness, and deliverance from the troubles of your abodes. Certainly, obedience to Allāh is a protection against encircling calamities. expected dangers and the flames of burning fires.

فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِالتَّقْوَى عَزَبَتْ عَنْهُ الشَّدَائِدُ بَعْدَ دُنُوِّهَا، وَاحْلَوْلَتْ لَهُ الاْمُورُ بَعْدَ مَرَارَتِهَا، وَانْفَرَجَتْ عَنْهُ الاْمْوَاجُ بَعْدَ تَرَاكُمِهَا، وَأَسْهَلَتْ لَهُ الصِّعَابُ بَعْدَ إِنْصَابِهَا، وَهَطَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْكَرَامَةُ بَعْدَ قُحُوطِهَا، وَتَحَدَّبَتْ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةُ بَعْدَ نُفُورِهَا، وَتَفَجَّرَتْ عَلَيْهِ النِّعَمُ بَعْدَ نُضُوبِهَا، وَوَبَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْبَرَكَةُ بَعْدَ إِرْذَاذِهَا.

Therefore, whoever entertains fear of Allāh, troubles remain away from him after having been near, affairs become sweet after their bitterness, waves (of troubles) recede from him after having crowded over him, difficulties become easy for him after occurring, generosity rains fast over him after there had been famine, mercy bends over him after it had been loath, the favours (of Allāh) spring forth on him after they had been dried, and blessing descends over him in showers after being scanty.

فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ الَّذِي نَفَعَكُمْ بَمَوْعِظَتِهِ، وَوَعَظَكُمْ بِرِ سَالَتِهِ، وَامْتَنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ، فَعَبِّدُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ لِعِبَادَتِهِ، وَاخْرُجُوا إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَقِّ طَاعَتِهِ.

So, fear Allāh Who benefits you with His good advice, preaches to you through His Messenger, and obliges you with His favours. Devote yourselves to His worship, and acquit yourselves of the obligation of obeying Him.

[فضل الاسلام :] ثُمَّ إِنَّ هذَا الاْسْلاَمَ دِينُ اللهِ الَّذِي اصْطَفَاهُ لِنَفْسهِ، وَاصْطَنَعَهُ عَلى عَيْنِهِ، وَأَصْفَاهُ خِيْرَةَ خَلْقِهِ، وَأَقَامَ دَعَائِمَهُ عَلَى مَحَبَّتِهِ، أَذَلَّ الاْدْيَانَ بِعِزّه، وَوَضَعَ الْمِلَلَ بِرَفْعِهِ، وَأَهَانَ أَعْدَاءَهُ بِكَرَامَتِهِ، وَخَذَلَ مُحَادِّيهِ بِنَصْرِهِ، وَهَدَمَ أَرْكَانَ الضَّلاَلَةِ بِرُكْنِهِ، وَسَقَى مَنْ عَطِشَ مِنْ حِيَاضِهِ، وَأَتْأَقَ الْحِيَاضَ بِمَوَاتِحِهِ.

[About Islam :] This Islam is the religion which Allāh has chosen for Himself, developed it before His eyes, preferred it as the best among His creations, established its pillars on His love. He has disgraced other religions by giving honour to it. He has humiliated all communities before its sublimity; He has humbled its enemies with His kindness and made its opponents lonely by according it His support. He has smashed the pillars of misguidance with its columns. He has quenched the thirst of the thirsty from its cisterns, and filled the cisterns through those who draw its water.

ثُمَّ جَعَلَهُ لاَ انْفِصَامَ لِعُرْوَتِهِ، وَلاَ فَكَّ لِحَلْقَتِهِ، وَلاَ انْهِدَامَ لاِسَاسِهِ، وَلاَ زَوَالَ لِدَعَائِمِهِ، وَلاَ انْقِلاَعَ لِشَجَرَتِهِ، وَلاَ انْقِطَاعَ لِمُدَّتِهِ، وَلاَ عَفَاءَ لِشَرَائِعِهِ، وَلاَ جَذَّ لِفُرُوعِهِ، وَلاَ ضَنْكَ لِطُرُقِهِ، و َلاَ وُعُوثَةَ لِسُهُولَتِهِ، و َلاَ سَوَادَ لِوَضَحِهِ، وَلاَ عِوَجَ لاِنْتِصَابِهِ، وَلاَ عَصَلَ فِي عُودِهِ، وَلاَ وَعَثَ لِفَجَّهِ، وَلاَ انْطِفَاءَ لِمَصَابِيحِهِ، وَلاَ مَرَارَةَ لِحَلاَوَتِهِ.

He made Islam such that its constituent parts cannot break, its links cannot separate, its construction cannot fall, its columns cannot decay, its plant cannot be uprooted, its time does not end, its laws do not expire, its twigs cannot be cut, its parts do not become narrow, its ease does not change into difficulty, its clarity is not affected by gloom, its straightness does not acquire curvature, its wood has no crookedness, its vast paths have no narrowness, its lamp knows no putting off and its sweetness has no bitterness.

فَهُوَ دَعَائِمُ أَسَاخَ فِي الْحَقِّ أَسْنَاخَهَا، وَثَبَّتَ لَهَا آسَاسَهَا، وَيَنَابِيعُ غَزُرَتْ عُيُونُهَا، وَمَصَابِيحُ شَبَّتْ نِيرَانُهَا، وَمَنَارٌ اقْتَدَى بِهَا سُفَّارُهَا، وَأَعلاَمٌ قُصِدَ بِهَا فِجَاجُهَا، وَمَنَاهِلُ رَوِيَ بِهَا وُرَّادُهَا. اللهُ فِيهِ مُنْتَهَى رِضْوَانِهِ، وَذِرْوَةَ دَعَائِمِهِ، وَسَنَامَ طَاعَتِهِ، فَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللهِ وَثِيقُ الاْرْكَانِ، رَفِيعُ الْبُنْيَانِ، مُنِيرُ الْبُرْهَانِ، مُضِيءُ النِّيرَانِ، عَزِيرُ السُّلْطَانِ، مُشْرِفُ الْمَنَار، مُعْوِذُ الْمَثَارِ. فَشَرِّفُوهُ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ، وَأَدُّوا إِلَيْهِ حَقَّهُ، وَضَعُوهُ مَوَاضِعَهُ.

It consists of columns whose bases Allāh has fixed in truthfulness and whose foundation He has strengthened, and of sources whose streams are ever full of water and of lamps, whose flames are full of light, and of beacons with whose help travellers get guidance, and of signs through which a way is found to its highways and of watering places which provide water to those who come to them. Allāh has placed in Islam the height of His pleasure, the pinnacle of His pillars and the prominence of His obedience. Before Allāh, therefore, its columns are strong, its construction is lofty, its proofs are bright, its fires are aflame, its authority is strong, its beacons are high and its destruction is difficult. You should therefore honour it, follow it, fulfil its obligations and accord the position due to it.

[الرسول الاعظم (صلى الله عليه وآله) :] ثُمَّ إِنَّ اللهِ سُبْحَانَهُ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً(صلى الله عليه وآله) بالْحَقِّ حِينَ دَنَا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا الانْقِطَاعُ، وَأَقْبَلَ مِنَ الاْخِرَةِ الاْطِّلاَعُ، وَأَظْلَمَتْ بَهْجَتُهَا بَعْدَ إِشْرَاق، وَقَامَتْ بِأَهْلِهَا عَلَى سَاق، وَخَشُنَ مِنْهَا مِهَادٌ، وَأَزِفَ مِنْهَا قِيَادٌ، فِي انْقِطَاع مِنْ مُدَّتِهَا، وَاقْتِرَاب مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا، وَتَصَرُّم مِنْ أَهْلِهَا، وَانْفِصَام مِنْ حَلْقَتِهَا، وَانْتِشَار مِنْ سَبَبِهَا، وَعَفَاء مِنْ أَعْلاَمِهَا، وَتَكَشُّف مِنْ عَوْرَاتِها، وَقِصَر مِنْ طُولِهَا. جَلَعَهُ اللهُ تعالى بَلاَغاً لِرِسَالَتِهِ، وَكَرَامَةً لاِمَّتِهِ، وَرَبِيعاً لاِهْلِ زَمَانِهِ، وَرِفْعَةً لاِعْوَانِهِ، وَشَرَفاً لاِنْصَارِهِ.

[About the Holy Prophet :] Then, Allāh, the Glorified, deputed Muḥammad - the peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him and his descendants - with truth at a time when the destruction of the world was near and the next life was at hand, when its brightness was turning into gloom after shining, it had become troublesome for its inhabitants, its surface had become rough, and its decay had approached near. This was during the exhaustion of its life at the approach of signs (of its decay), the ruin of its inhabitants, the breaking of its links, the dispersal of its affairs, the decay of its signs, the divulging of its secret matters and the shortening of its length. Allāh made him responsible for conveying His message and (a means of) honour for his people, a period of bloom for the men of his days, a source of dignity for the supporters and an honour for his helpers.

[القرآن الكريم :] ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ نُوراً لاَ تُطْفَأُ مَصَابِيحُهُ، وَسِرَاجاً لاَ يَخْبُو تَوَقُّدُهُ، وَبَحْراً لاَ يُدْرَكُ قَعْرُهُ، وَمِنْهَاجاً لاَ يُضِلُّ نَهْجُهُ، وَشُعَاعاً لاَ يُظْلِمُ ضَوْؤُهُ، وَفُرْقَاناً لاَ يُخْمَدُ بُرْهَانُهُ، وَتِبْيَاناً لاَ تُهْدَمُ أَرْكَانُهُ، وَشِفَاءً لاَ تُخْشَى أَسْقَامُهُ، وَعِزّاً لاَ تُهْزَمُ أَنْصَارُهُ، وَحَقّاً لاَ تُخْذَلُ أَعْوَانُهُ. فَهُوَ مَعْدِنُ الاْيمَانِ وَبُحْبُوحَتُهُ، وَيَنَابِيعُ الْعِلْمِ وَبُحُورُهُ، وَرِيَاضُ الْعَدْلِ وَغُدْرَانُهُ، وَأَثَافِيُّ الاْسْلاَمِ وَبُنْيَانُهُ، وَأَوْدِيَةُ الْحَقِّ وَغِيطَانُهُ. وَبَحْرٌ لاَ يَنْزِفُهُ الْمُسْتَنْزِفُونَ، وَعُيُونٌ لاَ يُنضِبُهَا الْمَاتِحُونَ، وَمَنَاهِلُ لاَ يَغِيضُهَا الْوَارِدُونَ، وَمَنَازِلُ لاَ يَضِلُّ نَهْجَهَا الْمُسَافِرُونَ، وَأَعْلاَمٌ لاَ يَعْمَى عَنْهَا السَّائِرُونَ، وَآكَامٌ لاَ يَجُوزُ عنْهَا الْقَاصِدُونَ.

[About the Holy Qur’ān :] Then, Allāh sent to him the Book as a light whose flames cannot be extinguished, a lamp whose gleam does not die, a sea whose depth cannot be sounded, a way whose direction does not mislead, a ray whose light does not darken, a separator (of good from evil) whose arguments do not weaken, a clarifier whose foundations cannot be dismantled, a cure which leaves no apprehension for disease, an honour whose supporters are not defeated, and a truth whose helpers are not abandoned. Therefore, it is the mine of belief and its centre, the source of knowledge and its oceans, the plantation of justice and its pools, the foundation stone of Islam and its construction, the valleys of truth and its plains, an ocean which those who draw water cannot empty, springs which those who draw water cannot dry up, a watering place which those who come to take water cannot exhaust, a staging place in moving towards which travellers do not get lost, signs which no wayfarer fails to see and a highland which those who approach it cannot surpass it.

جَعَلَهُ اللهُ رِيّاً لِعَطَشِ الْعُلَمَاءِ، وَرَبِيعاً لِقُلُوبِ الْفُقَهَاءِ، وَمَحَاجَّ لِطُرُقِ الصُّلَحَاءِ، وَدَوَاءً لَيْسَ بَعْدَهُ دَاءٌ، وَنُوراً لَيْسَ مَعَهُ ظُلْمَةٌ، وَحَبْلاً وَثِيقاً عُرْوَتُهُ، وَمَعْقِلاً مَنِيعاً ذِرْوَتُهُ، وَعِزّاً لِمَنْ تَوَلاَّهُ، وَسِلْماً لِمَنْ دَخَلَهُ، وَهُدىً لِمَنِ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ، وَعُذْراً لِمَنِ انْتَحَلَهُ، وَبُرْهَاناً لِمَنْ تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ، وَشَاهِداً لِمَنْ خَاصَمَ بِهِ، وَفَلْجاً لِمَنْ حَاجَّ بِهِ، وَحَامِلاً لِمَنْ حَمَلَهُ، وَمَطِيَّةً لِمَنْ أَعْمَلَهُ، وَآيَةً لِمَنْ تَوَسَّمَ، وَجُنَّةً لِمَنِ اسْتَلاْمَ، وَعِلْماً لِمَنْ وَعَى، وَحَدِيثاً لِمَنْ رَوَى، وَحُكْماً لِمَنْ قَضَى.

Allāh has made it a quencher of the thirst of the learned, a bloom for the hearts of religious jurists, a highway for the ways of the righteous, a cure after which there is no ailment, an effulgence with which there is no darkness, a rope whose grip is strong, a stronghold whose top is invulnerable, an honour for him who loves it, a peace for him who enters it, a guidance for him who follows it, an excuse for him who adopts it, an argument for him who argues with it, a witness for him who quarrels with it, a success for him who argues with it, a carrier of burden for him who seeks the way, a shield for him who arms himself (against misguidance), a knowledge for him who listens carefully, worthy story for him who relates it and a final verdict of him who passes judgements.

Extrait d’un discours Connaissance divine des particularités

Dieu connaît les hurlements des fauves dans les steppes, les péchés des serviteurs dans les lieux dos, les différents genres des gros poissons dans les océans, et Pentrechoquement entre les eaux et les vents tempétueux. Et je témoigne que Mouhammad est l’élu de Dieu, l’ambassadeur de Sa Révélation et l’Envoyé de Sa Miséricorde.

[Recommandation de la piété :] Après cela, je vous recommande la piété envers Dieu qui vous a créés, Auquel vous êtes destinés, par Lequel vous aspirez comme à un but ultime, en direction Duquel tend votre chemin et Qui constitue votre dernier refuge. La crainte de Dieu est certes un remède pour le mal de vos cœurs, une réforme des maux de vos poitrines, une purification de la souillure de vos âmes, urne clarification de votre faible vue, une tranquillité pour vos peurs et une illumination de la noirceur de vos ténèbres.

Habillez-vous de l’obéissance de Dieu ... Qu’elle prédomine vos affaires et intercède pour vos demandes. Qu’elle soit une cuirasse dans vos jours de peur, des lanternes pour vos tombes et une demeure pour votre longue solitude. Car l’obéissance de Dieu vous protège des perditions environnantes, des alarmes attendues et de la fièvre des feux allumés.

Celui qui s’arme de la piété voit les adversités prochaines s’éloigner de lui, les amertumes s’adoucir, les vagues accumulées se dissiper et les difficultés pénibles se faciliter. La dignité couvre les pieux affligés de sécheresse. La miséricorde se penche sur eux, après s’en être éloignée, Les grâces, jadis rares, les submergent derechef, de même que la bénédiction.

Craignez Dieu qui vous a avertis pour votre bien, exhortés par Sa prédication et accordé Sa grâce. Soyez Ses serviteurs et adorez-Le, et soyez avec Lui en L’obéissant.

[Le mérite de l’Islam :] Ensuite, cet Islam est la religion que Dieu s’est choisie... a préféré faire descendre au meilleur de Ses créatures et dont il a installé les assises sur l’amour de Son Prophète. Il a humilié les religions par Sa puissance, abaissé les doctrines religieuses par Sa fierté, insulté Ses ennemis par Sa dignité, causé la défection de Ses ennemis par Sa victoire et démoli les pilastres de l’erreur par Son appui...

Puis il a rendu Sa religion semblable à une ganse très solide, un cercle incassable, une fondation indémolissable, un soutien impérissable, un arbre indéracinable....

[Le plus grand des Envoyés :] Puis II envoya Mouhammad porteur de la vérité dans la vie terrestre qui préfigure celle de l’Audelà... Dieu fit parvenir Son message à travers lui, rendît la considération à sa nation, en fit un printemps aux hommes de son époque, un rehaussement de ses auxiliaires et un honneur pour ses adeptes.

[Le Saint Coran :] Puis Dieu fit descendre à Mouhammad le Livre comme une lumière qui ne s'éteigne point, un flambeau toujours allumé, une mer insondable, une grande vote où l'errance est nulle, un rayon dont la luminosité est perpétuelle, une mesure [de Médine] dont l'argument est imbattable, un manifeste dont les bases ne s’écroulent point, un remède dont les effets secondaires ne sont pas à craindre, une puissance dont les alliés ne seront pas vaincus et une vérité dont les adeptes ne seront jamais déçus. Le Livre est la mine et le cœur de la foi, la source et l’océan de la science, le jardin et la mare de l’équité, le foyer et la structure de l’Islam, la vallée et le plateau de la vérité, une mer inépuisable, une fontaine intarissable, un abreuvoir dont l’eau ne décroît pas. Le Coran ressemble à des demeures que les voyageurs ne perdent pas de vue, des bannières que repèrent ceux qui marchent, des collines non dépassées par ceux qui s’y dirigent.

Dieu en a fait un désaltérant pour la soif des savants, un printemps pour les cœurs des jurisconsultes, une avenue pour les vertueux, un remède exhaustif, une lumière qui écarte l’obscurité, une amarre à l’anse solide, une forteresse imprenable. Le Coran est déférence pour ses amis, paix pour qui y adhère, guidance pour qui s’y confie, excuse pour qui l’adopte, argumentation pour qui s’y rapporte, étmoin dans les disputes, victoire pour qui en argue, soutien pour qui le porte, monture pour celui qui l’applique, merveille pour qui cherche à le connaître, cuirasse pour qui l’endosse, science pour les conscients, conversation pour ceux qui s’entretiennent et un verdict pour ceux qui jugent.

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 1, Chapter 198