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 كلام له (عليه السلام) كان يوصي به أصحابه

Containing advice given by Amīr al-mu’inīn to his companions

[الصلاة :] تَعَاهَدُوا أَمْرَ الصَّلاَةِ، وَحَافِظُوا عَلَيْهَا، وَاسْتَكْثِرُوا مِنْهَا، وَتَقَرَّبُوا بِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا ﴿كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا﴾. أَلاَ تَسْمَعُونَ إِلَى جَوَابِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حِينَ سُئِلُوا: ﴿مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ. قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ﴾.

[About Prayer :] Pledge yourself with prayer and remain steady on it; offer prayer as much as possible and seek nearness (of Allāh) through it, because it is, (imposed) upon the believers as (a) timed ordinance (Qur’ān, 4:103). Have you not heard the reply of the people of Hell when they were asked: What hath brought you into the hell? They shall say: We were not of those who offered the regular prayers (to Allāh)! (Qur’ān, 74:42-43).

وَإِنَّهَا لَتَحُتُّ الذُّنُوبَ حَتَّ الْوَرَقِ، وَتُطْلِقُهَا إِطْلاَقَ الرِّبَق، وَشَبَّهَهَا رَسُولُ اللهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) بِالْحَمَّة تَكُونُ عَلَى بَابِ الرَّجُلِ، فَهُوَ يَغْتَسِلُ مِنْهَا فِي الْيَوْمِ وَاللَّيْلَةِ خَمْسَ مَرّات، فَمَا عَسَى أَنْ يَبْقَى عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الدَّرَنِ؟

Certainly, prayer drops out sins like the dropping of leaves (of trees), and removes them as ropes are removed from the necks of cattle. The Messenger of Allāh - the peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him and his descendants - likened it to a hot bath situated at the door of a person who bathes in it five times a day. Will then any dirt remain on him?

وَقَدْ عَرَفَ حَقَّهَا رِجَالٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ لاَ تَشْغَلُهُمْ عنْهَا زِينَةُ مَتَاع، وَلاَ قُرَّةُ عَيْن مِنْ وَلَد وَلاَ مَال، يَقُولُ اللهُ سُبْحَانَهُ: ﴿رِجَالٌ لَا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ﴾‏

Its obligation is recognised by those believers whom neither the adornment of property nor the coolness of the eyes produced by children can turn away from it. Allāh, the Glorified, says: “Men whom neither merchandise nor any sale diverteth from the remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying the poor-rate; ...” (Qur’ān, 24:37)

وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) نَصِباً بِالصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ التَّبْشِيرِ لَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ، لِقَوْلِ اللهِ سُبْحَانَهُ: ﴿وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا﴾‏، فَكَانَ يَأُمُرُ بِهَا أَهْلَهُ وَيَصْبِرُ عَلَيْهَا نَفْسَهُ.

Even after receiving assurance of Paradise, the Messenger of Allāh - peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him and his descendants - used to exert himself for prayers because of Allāh, the Glorified’s command: “And enjoin prayer on thy followers, and adhere thou steadily unto it, ...” (Qur’ān, 20:132). Then the Holy Prophet used to enjoin his followers to prayer and exert himself for it.

[الزكاة :] ثُمَّ إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ جُعِلَتْ مَعَ الصَّلاَةِ قُرْبَاناً لاِهْلِ الاْسْلاَمِ، فَمَنْ أَعْطَاهَا طَيِّبَ النَّفْسِ بِهَا، فإِنَّهَا تُجْعَلُ لَهُ كَفَّارَةً، وَمِنَ النَّارِ حِجَازاً وَوِقَايَةً، فَلاَ يُتْبِعَنَّهَا أَحَدٌ نَفْسَهُ، وَلاَ يُكْثِرَنَّ عَلَيْهَا لَهَفـَهُ، فإِنَّ مَنْ أَعْطَاهَا غَيْرَ طَيِّبِ النَّفْسِ بِهَا، يَرْجُو بِهَا مَا هُوَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْهَا، فَهُوَ جَاهِلٌ بِالسُّنَّةِ، مَغْبُونُ الاْجْرِ، ضَالُّ الْعَمَلِ، طَوِيلُ النَّدَمِ.

[About the Islamic Tax (zakāt) :] Then, Islamic tax has been laid down along with prayer as a sacrifice (to be offered) by the people of Islam. Whoever pays it by way of purifying his spirit, it serves as a purifier for him and a protection and shield against fire (of Hell). No one therefore (who pays it) should feel attached to it afterwards, nor should feel grieved over it. Whoever pays it without the intention of purifying his heart expects through it more than its due. He is certainly ignorant of the sunnah, he is allowed no reward for it, his action goes to waste and his repentance is excessive.

[الأمانة :] ثُمَّ أَدَاءَ الاْمَانَةِ، فَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا، إِنَّهَا عُرِضَتْ عَلَى السَّماوَاتِ الْمَبْنِيَّةِ، وَالاْرَضِينَ الْمَدْحُوَّةِ، وَالْجِبَالِ ذَاتِ الطُّولِ الْمَنْصُوبَةِ، فَلاَ أَطْوَلَ وَلاَ أَعْرَضَ، وَلاَ أَعْلَى وَلاَ أَعْظَمَ مِنْهَا، وَلَوِ امْتَنَعَ شَيْءٌ بِطُول أَوْ عَرْض أَوْ قُوَّة أَوْ عِزٍّ لاَمْتَنَعْنَ، وَلكِنْ أَشْفَقْنَ مِنَ الْعُقُوبَةِ، وَعَقَلْنَ مَا جَهِلَ مَنْ هُوَ أَضْعَفُ مِنْهُنَّ، وَهُوَ الاْنْسَانُ، ﴿إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا﴾‏

[Fulfilment of Trust :] Then, as regards fulfilment of trust, whoever does not pay attention to it will be disappointed. It was placed before the strong skies, vast earths and high mountains but none of them was found to be stronger. vaster, or higher than it. If anything could be unapproachable because of height, vastness, power or strength they would have been unapproachable, but they felt afraid of the evil consequences (of failure in fulfilling a trust) and noticed what a weaker being did not realise it, and this was man. “. . . Verily he was (proved) unjust, ignorant.” (Qur’ān, 33:72)

[علم اللّه تعالى :] إِنَّ اللهَ سُبْحَانَهُ لاَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ مَا الْعِبَادُ مُقْتَرِفُونَ فِي لَيْلِهِمْ وَنَهَارِهِمْ، لَطُفَ بِهِ خُبْراً، وَأَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْماً، أَعْضَاؤُكُمْ شُهُودُهُ، وَجَوَارِحُكُمْ جُنُودُهُ، وَضَمائِرُكُمْ عُيُونُهُ، وَخَلَوَاتُكُمْ عِيَانُهُ.

Surely, Allāh, the Glorified, the Sublime, nothing is hidden from Him of whatever people do in their nights or days. He knows all the details, and His knowledge covers them. Your limbs are a witness, the organs of your body constitute an army (against yourself), your inner self serves Him as eyes (to watch your sins), and your loneliness is open to Him.

Extrait de ses paroles Conseils à ses compagnons

Engagez-vous mutuellement à accomplir la prière constamment et longuement. Rapprochez-vous par elle à Dieu, car elle demeure, pour les croyants, «Une prescription, à des temps déterminés» (4,103). N'entendez-vous pas la réponse des gens du Feu quand on leur demanda: «Qu’est-ce qui vous a acheminé à Saqar [enfer] (74,42) Ils disent: «Nous n’étions pas de ceux qui faisaient la Salat [prière]» (74,43).

La prière ôte les péchés en les frottant comme on frotte les feuilles. Elle les libère à la manière du lâchage d’une corde. L’Envoyé de Dieu l’a comparée à une source chaude devant la porte d’un homme qui se lave cinq fois nuit et jour et devient propre de toute souillure.

Elle a été appréciée à sa juste valeur par des croyants qui ne la délaissent pas pour s’occuper de la parure du monde ou de la consolation des enfants ou des biens. Dieu dît: «Des hommes que ni le négoce, ni le troc ne distraient de l’invocation d’Allah, de l’accomplissement de la Salat et le l’acquittement de la Zakat» (24,37).

L’Envoyé de Dieu était très passionné de la prière après la promesse de Dieu d’avoir le Paradis pour lot, car Dieu dit: «Et commande à ta famille la Salat, et faisla avec persévérance» (20,132), ce qu’il faisait exactement.

[Az-zakat :] De même que la prière, l’aumône a été instituée comme une offrande pour les musulmans. Elle sera pour celui qui l’accorde de bon cœur, une expiation, un rempart et une protection du Feu. Mais celui qui ressent du regret pour l’avoir donnée ou qui le fait dans l’espoir d’être plus grandement rétribué, est un ignorant de la Sounna, un homme trompé dans cette affaire, s’écartant de la bonne œuvre et regrettant longtemps son action.

[La responsabilité morale :] Celui qui n’assume pas la respoasabilité morale [porter les charges de faire le bien et d’éviter le mal] essuie un échec. Cette responsabilité a été proposée aux deux construits, aux terres étendues et aux longues montagnes dressées [Cf 33,72], celles qui n’ont pas d’égales en longueur, largeur, hauteur et énormité. Or ceux-ci ont refusé de la porter et en ont eu peur. Ils se sont aperçus de ce qu’ignorait un plus faible qu’eux: l’homme qui s’en est chargé, «car il est très injuste [envers lui-même] et très ignorant» (33,72),

[La Science de Dieu :] Dieu -qu’il soit loué- connaît minutieusement ce que les serviteurs commettent de péchés nuit et jour. Sa science englobe toute chose. Vos membres sont Ses témoins, vos mains et vos pieds sont Ses soldats, vos consciences sont Ses yeux, vos lieux retirés sont Ses témoins oculaires.

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 1, Chapter 199