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 وصية له (عليه السلام) للحسن بن علي (عليه السلام) كتبها إليه بحاضرين منصرفا من صفين

He wrote for al-Ḥasan ibn ‘Alī [1] (his son — peace be upon them), when Amīr al-mu’minīn encamped at al-Ḥāḍirīn on his way back from Ṣiffīn.

مِنَ الْوَالِدِ الْفَانِ، الْمُقِرِّ لِلزَّمَانِ، الْمُدْبِرِ الْعُمُرِ، الْمُسْتَسْلِمِ لِلدَّهْرِ، الذَّامِ لِلدُّنْيَا، السَّاكِنِ مَسَاكِنَ الْمَوْتَى، وَالظَّاعِنِ عَنْهَا غَداً، إِلَى الْمَوْلُودِ الْمُؤَمِّلِ مَا لَا يُدْرَكُ، السَّالِكِ سَبِيلَ مَنْ قَدْ هَلَكَ، غَرَضِ الْأَسْقَامِ، رَهِينَةِ الْأَيَّامِ، وَرَمِيَّةِ الْمَصَائِبِ، وَعَبْدِ الدُّنْيَا، وَتَاجِرِ الْغُرُورِ، وَغَرِيمِ الْمَنَايَا، وَأَسِيرِ الْمَوْتِ، وَحَلِيفِ الْهُمُومِ، وَقَرِينِ الْأَحْزَانِ، وَنُصْبِ الْأَفَاتِ، وَصَرِيعِ الشَّهَوَاتِ، وَخَلِيفَةِ الْأَمْوَاتِ.

From the father who is (shortly) to die, who acknowledges the hardships of the times, who has turned away from life, who has submitted himself to the (calamities of) time, who realizes the evils of the world, who is living in the abodes of the dead and is due to depart from them any day; to the son who yearns for what is not to be achieved, who is treading the path of those who have died, who is the victim of ailments, who is entangled in the (worries of the) days, who is a target of hardships, a slave of the world, a trader of its deception, a debtor of wishes, a prisoner of mortality, an ally of worries, a neighbour of grief, a victim of distresses, who has been overpowered by desires, and who is a successor of the dead.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَإِنَّ فِيمَا تَبَيَّنْتُ مِنْ إِدْبَارِ الدُّنْيَا عَنِّي، وَجُمُوحِ الدَّهْرِعَلَيَّ، وَإِقْبَالِ الْأَخِرَةِ إِلَيَّ، مَا يَزَعُنِي عَنْ ذِكْرِ مَنْ سِوَايَ، وَالِاهْتِمَامِ بِمَا وَرَائِي غَيْرَ أَنِّي حَيْثُ تَفَرَّدَ بِي دُونَ هُمُومِ النَّاسِ هَمُّ نَفْسِي، فَصَدَفَنِي رَأْيِي، وَصَرَفَنِي عَنْ هَوَايَ، وَصَرَّحَ لِي مَحْضُ أَمْرِي فَأَفْضَى بِي إِلَى جِدٍّ لَا يَكُونُ فِيهِ لَعِبٌ، وَصِدْقٍ لَا يَشُوبُهُ كَذِبٌ. وَوَجَدْتُكَ بَعْضِي، بَلْ وَجَدْتُكَ كُلِّي، حَتَّى كَأَنَّ شَيْئاً لَوْ أَصَابَكَ أَصَابَنِي، وَكَأَنَّ الْمَوْتَ لَوْ أَتَاكَ أَتَانِي، فَعَنَانِي مِنْ أَمْرِكَ مَا يَعْنِينِي مِنْ أَمْرِ نَفْسِي، فَكَتَبْتُ إِليْكَ كِتَابِي [هَذا]، مُسْتَظْهِراً بِهِ إِنْ أَنا بَقِيتُ لَكَ أَوْ فَنِيتُ.

Now (you should know that) what I have learnt from the turning away of this world from me, the onslaught of time over me and the advancing of the next world towards me is enough to prevent me from remembering anyone except myself and from thinking beyond myself. But when I confined myself to my own worries leaving the worries of others, my intelligence saved me and protected me from my desires. It clarified to me my affairs and led me to seriousness wherein there was no trickery and truth which was not tarnished by falsehood. Here, I found you a part of myself, rather I found you my whole, so much so that if anything befell you, it was as though it befell me and if death came to you it was as though it came to me. Consequently, your affairs meant to me what my own matters meant to me. So, I have written this piece of advice (to you) as an instrument of seeking help through it, whether I remain alive for you or cease to exist.

فَإِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِتَقْوَى اللهِ أَيْ بُنَيَّ، وَلُزُومِ أَمْرِهِ، وَعِمَارَةِ قَلْبِكَ بِذِكْرِهِ، وَالِاعْتِصَامِ بِحَبْلِهِ، وَأَيُّ سَبَبٍ أَوْثَقُ مِنْ سَبَبٍ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ إِنْ أَنْتَ أَخَذْتَ بِهِ.

I advise you to fear Allāh, O my child, abide by His commands, fill your heart with remembrance of Him and cling to hope from Him. No connection is more reliable than the connection between you and Allāh provided you take hold of it.

أَحْيِي قَلْبَكَ بِالْمَوْعِظَةِ، وَأَمِتْهُ بِالزَّهَادَةِ، وَقَوِّهِ بِالْيَقِينِ، وَنَوِّرْهُ بِالْحِكْمَةِ، وَذَلِّلْهُ بِذِكْرِ الْمَوْتِ، وَقَرِّرْهُ بِالْفَنَاءِ، وَبَصِّرْهُ فَجَائِعَ الدُّنْيَا، وَحَذِّرْهُ صَوْلَةَ الدَّهْرِ، وَفُحْشَ تَقَلُّبِ اللَّيَالِي وَالْأَيَّامِ، وَاعْرِضْ عَلَيْهِ أَخْبَارَ الْمَاضِينَ، وَذَكِّرْهُ بِمَا أَصَابَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ، وَسِرْ فِي دِيَارِهِمْ وَآثَارِهِمْ، فَانْظُرْ فِيمَا فَعَلُوا وَعَمَّا انْتَقَلُوا، وَأَيْنَ حَلُّوا وَنَزَلُوا، فَإِنَّكَ تَجِدْهُمُ قَدِ انْتَقَلُوا عَنِ الْأَحِبَّةِ، وَحَلُّوا دِيَارَ الْغُرْبَةِ، وَكَأَنَّكَ عَنْ قَلِيلٍ قَدْ صِرْتَ كَأَحَدِهِمْ.

Enliven your heart with preaching, kill it by denial, energise it with firm belief, enlighten it with wisdom, humiliate it by recalling death, make it believe in mortality, make it see the misfortunate of this world, make it fear the authority of the time and the severity of some changes during the nights and the days, place before it the events of past people, recall to it what befell those who were before you and walk among their cities and ruins, then see what they did and from what they have gone away and where they have gone and stayed. You will find that they departed from (their) friends and remain in loneliness. Shortly, you too will be like one of them.

فَأَصْلِحْ مَثْوَاكَ، وَلَا تَبِعْ آخِرَتَكَ بِدُنْيَاكَ، وَدَعِ الْقَوْلَ فِيمَا لَا تَعْرِفُ، وَالْخِطَابَ فِيمَا لَمْ تُكَلَّفْ، وَأَمْسِكْ عَنْ طَرِيقٍ إِذَا خِفْتَ ضَلاَلَتَهُ فَإِنَّ الْكَفَّ عِنْدَ حَيْرَةِ الضَّلاَلِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ رُكُوبِ الْأَهْوَالِ.

Therefore, plan for your place of stay and do not sell your next life with this world. Give up discussing what you do not know and speaking about what does not concern you. Keep off the track from which you fear to go astray because refraining (from moving) when there is fear of straying is better than embarking on dangers.

وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ تَكُنْ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَأَنْكِرِ الْمُنْكَرَ بِيَدِكَ وَلِسَانِكَ، وَبَايِنْ مَنْ فَعَلَهُ بِجُهْدِكَ، وَجَاهِدْ فِي اللهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ، وَلَا تَأْخُذْكَ فِي اللهِ لَوْمَةُ لَائِمٍ، وَخُضِ الْغَمَرَاتِ لِلْحَقِّ حَيْثُ كَانَ، وَتَفَقَّهْ فِي الدِّينِ، وَعَوِّدْ نَفْسَكَ التَّصَبُّرَ عَلَى الْمَكْرُوهِ، وَنِعْمَ الْخُلُقُ التَّصَبُّرُ فِي الْحَقِّ! وَأَلْجِئْ نَفْسَكَ فِي أُمُورِكَ كُلِّهَا إِلَى إِلهِكَ، فَإِنَّكَ تُلْجِئُهَا إِلَى كَهْفٍ حَرِيز، وَمَانِع عَزِيزٍ. وَأَخْلِصْ فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ لِرَبِّكَ، فَإِنَّ بِيَدِهِ الْعَطَاءَ وَالْحِرْمَانَ، وَأَكْثِرِ الِاسْتِخَارَةَ،

Ask others to do good; you will thus be among the good doers. Desist others from evil with your action as well as your speech and keep off, to the best of your ability, from he who commits it. Struggle for Allāh as is His due; and the reviling of a reviler should not deter you in matters of Allāh. Leap into dangers for the sake of right wherever it be. Acquire insight into religious law. Habituate yourself to endure hardships since the best trait of character is endurance in matters of right. In all your affairs resign yourself to your Allāh, because you will thus be resigning yourself to a secure shelter and a strong protector. You should ask only from your Lord because in His hand is all the giving and depriving. Seek good (from Allāh) as much as you can.

وَتَفَهَّمْ وَصِيَّتِي، وَلَا تَذْهَبَنَّ عَنْكَ صَفْحاً، فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْقَوْلِ مَا نَفَعَ. وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَلَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِعِلْمٍ لَا يَحِقُّ تَعَلُّمُهُ.

Understand my advice an do not turn away from it, because the best saying is that which benefits. Know that there is no good in that knowledge which does not benefit, and if knowledge is not made use of then its acquisition is not justified.

أَيْ بُنَيَّ، إِنِّي لَمَّا رَأَيْتُنِي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ سِنّاً، وَرَأَيْتُنِي أَزْدَادُ وَهْناً، بَادَرْتُ بِوَصِيَّتِي إِلَيْكَ، وَأَوْرَدْتُ خِصَالًا مِنْهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَعْجَلَ بِي أَجَلِي دُونَ أَنْ أُفْضِيَ إِلَيْكَ بِمَا فِي نَفْسِي، أَوْ أَنْ أُنْقَصَ فِي رَأْيِي كَمَا نُقِصْتُ فِي جِسْمِي، أَوْ يَسْبِقَنِي إِلَيْكَ بَعْضُ غَلَبَاتِ الْهَوَى وَفِتَنِ الدُّنْيَا، فَتَكُونَ كَالصَّعْبِ النَّفُورِ. وَإِنَّمَا قَلْبُ الْحَدَثِ كَالْأَرْضِ الْخَالِيَةِ مَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَبِلَتْهُ، فَبَادَرْتُكَ بِالْأَدَبِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْسُوَ قَلْبُكَ، وَيَشْتَغِلَ لُبُّكَ، لِتَسْتَقْبِلَ بِجِدِّ رَأْيِكَ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ مَا قَدْ كَفَاكَ أَهْلُ التَّجَارِبِ بُغْيَتَهُ وَتَجْرِبَتَهُ، فَتَكُونَ قَدْ كُفِيتَ مَؤُونَةَ الطَّلَبِ، وَعُوفِيتَ مِنْ عِلاَجِ التَّجْرِبَةِ، فَأَتَاكَ مِنْ ذلِكَ مَا قَدْ كُنَّا نَأْتِيهِ، وَاسْتَبَانَ لَكَ مَا رُبَّمَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْنَا مِنْهُ.

O’ my child, when I noticed that I was of goodly age and noticed that I was increasing in weakness I hastened with my will for you and wrote down salient points of it lest death overtook me before I divulged to you what I have in my heart, or lest my wit be affected as my body has been affected, or the forces of passions or the mischiefs of the world overtake you making you like a stubborn camel. Certainly, the heart of a young man is like uncultivated land. It accepts whatever is strewn on it. So, I hastened to mould you properly before your heart hardened up and your mind became occupied, so that you might be ready to accept through your intelligence the results of the experience of others and be saved from going through these experiences yourself. In this way, you would avoid the hardship of seeking them and the difficulties of experimenting. Thus, you are getting to know what we had experienced and even those things are becoming clear to you which we might have missed.

أَيْ بُنَيَّ، إِنِّي وَإِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ عُمِّرْتُ عُمُرَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلِي، فَقَدْ نَظَرْتُ فِي أَعْمَالِهِمْ ، وَفَكَّرْتُ فِي أَخْبَارِهِمْ ، وَسِرْتُ فِي آثَارِهِمْ، حَتَّى عُدْتُ كَأَحَدِهِمْ، بَلْ كَأَنِّي بِمَا انْتَهَى إِلَيَّ مِنْ أُمُورِهِمْ قَدْ عُمِّرْتُ مَعَ أَوَّلِهِمْ إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ، فَعَرَفْتُ صَفْوَ ذلِكَ مِنْ كَدَرِهِ، وَنَفْعَهُ مِنْ ضَرَرِهِ، فَاسْتَخْلَصْتُ لَكَ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ نَخِيلَهُ، وَتَوَخَّيْتُ لَكَ جَمِيلَهُ، وَصَرَفْتُ عَنْكَ مَجْهُولَهُ، وَرَأَيْتُ حَيْثُ عَنَانِي مِنْ أَمْرِكَ مَا يَعْنِي الْوَالِدَ الشَّفِيقَ، وَأَجْمَعْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَدَبِكَ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذلِكَ وَأَنْتَ مُقْبِلُ الْعُمُرِ وَمُقْتَبَلُ الدَّهْرِ، ذُو نِيَّة سَلِيمَة، وَنَفْسٍ صَافِيَةٍ، وَأَنْ أَبْتَدِئَكَ بِتَعْلِيمِ كِتَابِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَتَأْوِيلِهِ، وَشَرَائِعِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَأَحْكَامِهِ ، وَحَلاَلِهِ وَحَرَامِهِ، لَا أُجَاوِزُ ذلِكَ بِكَ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ. ثُمَّ أَشْفَقْتُ أَنْ يَلْتَبِسَ عَلَيْكَ مَا اخْتَلَفَ النَّاسُ فِيهِ مِنْ أَهْوَائِهِمْ وَآرَائِهِمْ مِثْلَ الَّذِي الْتَبَسَ عَلَيْهِمْ، فَكَانَ إِحْكَامُ ذَلِكَ عَلَى مَا كَرِهْتُ مِنْ تَنْبِيهِكَ لَهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ إِسْلاَمِكَ إِلَى أَمْرٍ لَا آمَنُ عَلَيْكَ بِهِ الْهَلَكَةَ وَرَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُوَفِّقَكَ اللهُ فِيهِ لِرُشْدِكَ، وَأَنْ يَهْدِيَكَ لِقَصْدِكَ، فَعَهِدْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَصِيَّتِي هذِهِ.

O’ my child, even though I have not reached the age which those before me have, yet I looked into their behaviour and thought over events of their lives. I walked among their ruins till I was as one of them. In fact, by virtue of those of their affairs that have become known to me it is as though I have lived with them from the first to the last. I have therefore been able to discern the impure from the clean and the benefit from the harm. I have selected for you the choicest of those matters and collected for you their good points and have kept away from you their useless points. Since I feel for your affairs as a loving father should feel and I aim at giving you training, I thought it should be at a time when you are advancing in age and new on the stage of the world, possessing upright intention and clean heart and that I should begin with the teaching of the Book of Allāh, to Whom belongs Might and Majesty, and its interpretation, the laws of Islam and its commands, its lawful matters and unlawful matters and that I should not go beyond these for you. Then I feared lest you should get confused as other people had been confused on account of their passions and (different) views. Therefore, in spite of my dislike for you being so warned, I thought it better for me to make this position strong rather than leave you in a position where I do not regard you safe from falling into destruction. I hoped that Allāh would help you in your straightforwardness and guide you in your resoluteness. Consequently, I wrote this piece of my will for you.

وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّ أَحَبَّ مَا أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِهِ إِلَيَّ مِنْ وَصِيَّتِي تَقْوَى اللهِ وَالِاقْتِصَارُ عَلَى مَا فَرَضَهُ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ، وَالْأَخْذُ بِمَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنْ آبَائِكَ، وَالصَّالِحُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ، فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَدَعُوا أَنْ نَظَرُوا لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ كَمَا أَنْتَ نَاظِرٌ، وَفَكَّرُوا كَمَا أَنْتَ مُفَكِّرٌ، ثُمَّ رَدَّهُمْ آخِرُ ذلِكَ إِلَى الْأَخْذِ بِمَا عَرَفُوا، وَالْإِمْسَاكِ عَمَّا لَمْ يُكَلَّفُوا، فَإِنْ أَبَتْ نَفْسُكَ أَنْ تَقْبَلَ ذلِكَ دُونَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ كَمَا عَلِمُوا فَلْيَكُنْ طَلَبُكَ ذلِكَ بَتَفَهُّم وَتَعَلُّم، لَا بِتَوَرُّطِ الشُّبُهَاتِ، وَعُلَقِ الْخُصُومَاتِ.

Know O’ my child, that what I love most for you to adopt from my will is to fear Allāh, to confine yourself to what Allāh has made obligatory on you, and to follow the actions of your forefathers and the virtuous people of your household, because they did not fall short in seeing for themselves what you will see for yourself, and they did about their affairs as you would like to think (about your affairs). Thereafter, their thinking led them to discharge the obligations they came to know of and to desist from what they were not required to do. If your heart does not accept this without acquiring knowledge as they acquired it, then your search should first be by way of understanding and learning and not by falling into doubts or getting entangled in quarrels.

وَابْدَأْ قَبْلَ نَظَرِكَ فِي ذلِكَ بِالِاسْتِعَانَةِ بِإِلهِكَ، وَالرَّغْبَةِ إِلَيْهِ فِي تَوْفِيقِكَ، وَتَرْكِ كُلِّ شَائِبَةٍ أَوْلَجَتْكَ فِي شُبْهَةٍ، أَوْ أَسْلَمَتْكَ إِلَى ضَلَالَةٍ. فَإِنْ أَيْقَنْتَ أَنْ قَدْ صَفَا قَلْبُكَ فَخَشَعَ، وَتَمَّ رَأْيُكَ فَاجْتَمَعَ، وَكَانَ هَمُّكَ فِي ذلِكَ هَمّاً وَاحِداً، فَانْظُرْ فِيمَا فَسَّرْتُ لَكَ، وَإِنْ أنت لَمْ يَجْتَمِعْ لَكَ مَا تُحِبُّ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ، وَفَرَاغِ نَظَرِكَ وَفِكْرِكَ، فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّكَ إِنَّمَا تَخْبِطُ الْعَشْوَاءِ، وَتَتَوَرَّطُ الظَّلْمَاءَ. وَلَيْسَ طَالِبُ الدِّينِ مَنْ خَبَطَ أَوْ خَلَطَ، وَالْإِمْسَاكُ عَنْ ذلِكَ أَمْثَلُ.

And before you probe into this, you should begin by seeking your Allāh’s help and turning to Him for competence and keeping aloof from everything that throws you into doubt or flings you towards misguidance. When you have made sure that your heart is clean and humble and your thoughts have come together and you have only one thought which is about this matter, then you will see what I have explained to you; but if you have not been able to achieve that peace of observation and thinking which you would like to have, then know that you are only stamping the ground like a blind she-camel and falling into darkness while a seeker of religion should not grope in the dark or create confusion. It is better to avoid this.

فَتَفَهَّمْ يَا بُنَيَّ وَصِيَّتِي، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَالِكَ الْمَوْتِ هُوَ مَالِكُ الْحَيَاةِ، وَأَنَّ الْخَالِقَ هُوَ الْمُمِيتُ، وَأَنَّ الْمُفْنِيَ هُوَ الْمُعِيدُ، وَأَنَّ الْمُبْتَلِيَ هُوَ الْمُعَافِي، وَأَنَّ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ تَكُنْ لِتَسْتَقِرَّ إِلَّا عَلَى مَا جَعَلَهَا اللهُ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ النَّعْمَاءِ، وَالِابْتِلَاءِ، وَالْجَزَاءِ فِي الْمَعَادِ، أَوْ مَا شَاءَ مِمَّا لَا تَعْلَمُ، فَإِنْ أَشْكَلَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْءٌ مِنْ ذلِكَ فَاحْمِلْهُ عَلَى جَهَالَتِكَ، فَإِنَّكَ أَوَّلُ مَا خُلِقْتَ بِهِ جَاهِلًا ثُمَّ عُلِّمْتَ، وَمَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تَجْهَلُ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ، وَيَتَحَيَّرُ فِيهِ رَأْيُكَ، وَيَضِلُّ فِيهِ بَصَرُكَ ثُمَّ تُبْصِرُهُ بَعْدَ ذلِكَ! فَاعْتَصِمْ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ وَرَزَقَكَ وَسَوَّاكَ، وَلْيَكُنْ لَهُ تَعَبُّدُكَ، وَإِلَيْهِ رَغْبَتُكَ، وَمِنْهُ شَفَقَتُكَ.

Appreciate my advice, O’ my child, and know that He Who is the Master of death is also the Master of life, that the Creator causes death as well; that He Who destroys is also the restorer of life and that He Who inflicts disease is also the curer. This world continues in the way Allāh has made it with regard to its pleasures, trials, rewards on the Day of Judgement and all that He wishes and you do not know. If anything of this advice is not understood by you then attribute it to your ignorance of it, because when you were first born you were born ignorant. Thereafter, you acquired knowledge. There are many matters of which you are ignorant and in which your sight first wonders and your eye wanders then after this you see them. Therefore, cling to Him Who created you, fed you and put you in order. Your worship should be for Him, your eagerness should be towards Him and your fear should be of Him.

وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّ أَحَداً لَمْ يُنْبِئْ عَنِ اللهِ سُبْحَانَهُ كَمَا أَنْبَأَ عَنْهُ الرَّسُولُ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ) فَارْضَ بِهِ رَائِداً، وَإِلَى النَّجَاةِ قَائِداً، فَإِنِّي لَمْ آلُكَ نَصِيحَةً. وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تَبْلُغَ فِي النَّظَرِ لِنَفْسِكَ وَإِنِ اجْتَهَدْتَ مَبْلَغَ نَظَرِي لَكَ.

Know O’ my child, that no one received messages from Allāh, the Glorified, as the Prophet (may Allāh bless him and his progeny) did. Therefore, regard him as your forerunner and leader towards deliverance. Certainly, I shall spare no effort in giving you advice and surely even if you try, you cannot acquire that insight for your welfare as I have for you.

وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ لِرَبِّكَ شَرِيكٌ لَأَتَتْكَ رُسُلُهُ، وَلَرَأَيْتَ آثَارَ مُلْكِهِ وَسُلْطَانِهِ، وَلَعَرَفْتَ أَفْعَالَهُ وَصِفَاتَهُ، وَلكِنَّهُ إِلهٌ وَاحِدٌ كَمَا وَصَفَ نَفْسَهُ، لَا يُضَادُّهُ فِي مُلْكِهِ أَحَدٌ، وَلَا يَزُولُ أَبَداً وَلَمْ يَزَلْ. أَوَّلٌ قَبْلَ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِلاَ أَوَّلِيَّةٍ، وَآخِرٌ بَعْدَ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِلاَ نِهَايَةٍ. عَظُمَ عَنْ أَنْ تَثْبُتَ رُبُوبِيَّتُهُ بِإِحَاطَةِ قَلْبٍ أَوْ بَصَرٍ. فَإِذَا عَرَفْتَ ذلِكَ فَافْعَلْ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِمِثْلِكَ أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ فِي صِغَرِ خَطَرِهِ، وَقِلَّةِ مَقْدِرَتِهِ، وَكَثْرَةِ عَجْزِهِ، وَعَظِيمِ حَاجَتِهِ إِلَى رَبِّهِ، فِي طَلَبِ طَاعَتِهِ، وَالْخَشْيَةِ مِنْ عُقُوبَتِهِ، وَالشَّفَقَةِ مِنْ سُخْطِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَأْمُرْكَ إِلَّا بِحَسَنٍ، وَلَمْ يَنْهَكَ إِلَّا عَنْ قَبِيحٍ.

Know O my child, if there had been a partner with your Lord, his messengers too should have come to you and you would have seen signs of his authority and power and have known his deeds and qualities. But He is only One God as He has described Himself. No one can dispute with Him in His authority. He is from ever and will be for ever. He is before all things without any beginning. He will remain after all things without any end. He is far too great to have His divinity proved by the encompassing heart or eye. When you have understood this then you should do what is done by him who is like you by way of his low position, his lack of authority, his increasing incapability, and his great need of his Lord for seeking His obedience, fearing His chastisement and apprehending His anger, because He does not command you save for virtue and does not refrain you save from evil.

يا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي قَدْ أَنْبَأْتُكَ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا وَحَالِهَا، وَزَوَالِهَا وَانْتِقَالِهَا، وَأَنْبَأْتُكَ عَنِ الْآخِرَةِ وَمَا أُعِدَّ لِأَهْلِهَا، وَضَرَبْتُ لَكَ فِيهِمَا الْأَمْثَالَ، لِتَعْتَبِرَ بِهَا، وَتَحْذُوَ عَلَيْهَا. إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ مَنْ خَبَرَ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ قَوْمٍ سَفْرٍ نَبَا بِهِمْ مَنْزِلٌ جَدِيبٌ، فَأَمُّوا مَنْزِلًا خَصِيباً وَجَنَاباً مَرِيعاً، فَاحْتَمَلُوا وَعْثَاءَ الطَّرِيقِ، وَفِرَاقَ الصَّدِيقِ، وَخُشُونَةَ السَّفَرِ، وَجُشُوبَةَ الْمَطْعَمِ، لِيَأْتُوا سَعَةَ دَارِهِمْ، وَمَنْزِلَ قَرَارِهِمْ، فَلَيْسَ يَجِدُونَ لِشَيْء مِنْ ذلِكَ أَلَماً، وَلَا يَرَوْنَ نَفَقَةً فِيهِ مَغْرَماً. وَلَا شَيْءَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِمْ مِمَّا قَرَّبَهُمْ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِمْ وَأَدْنَاهُمْ مِنْ مَحَلَّتِهِمْ. وَمَثَلُ مَنِ اغْتَرَّ بِهَا كَمَثَلِ قَوْمٍ كَانُوا بِمَنْزِلٍ خَصِيبٍ، فَنَبَا بِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلٍ جَدِيبٍ، فَلَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَكْرَهَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا أَفْظَعَ عِنْدَهُمْ مِنْ مُفَارَقَةِ مَا كَانُوا فِيهِ، إِلَى مَا يَهْجُمُونَ عَلَيْهِ، وَيَصِيرُونَ إِلَيْهِ.

O my child, I have informed you about the world, its condition,decay and its passing away and I have informed you of the next world and of what has been provided in it for its people. I have recounted to you parables about it so that you may draw instruction from them and act upon them. The example of those who have understood the world is like those travelers who, being disgusted with drought-stricken places set off for greenery and a fruitful place. Then they endure difficulties on the way, separation from friends, hardships of the journey and unwholesome food in order to reach their fields of plenty and place of stay. Consequently, they do not feel any pain in all this and do not regard any expenditure to be waste. Nothing is more lovable to them than what takes them near their goal and carries them closer to their place of stay. (Against this), the example of those who are deceived by this world is like the people who were in a green place but they became disgusted with it and went to a drought-stricken place. Therefore, for them nothing is more detestable or abominable than to leave the place where they were to go to a place which they will reach unexpectedly and for which they are heading.

يَا بُنَيَّ اجْعَلْ نَفْسَكَ مِيزَاناً فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ غَيْرِكَ، فَأَحْبِبْ لِغَيْرِكَ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ، وَاكْرَهْ لَهُ مَا تَكْرَهُ لَهَا، وَلَا تَظْلِمْ كَمَا لَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ تُظْلَمَ، وَأَحْسِنْ كَمَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُحْسَنَ إِلَيْكَ، وَاسْتَقْبِحْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ مَا تَسْتَقْبِحُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِكَ، وَارْضَ مِنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا تَرْضَاهُ لَهُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ، وَلَا تَقُلْ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَلَا تَقُلْ مَا لَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُقَالَ لَكَ.

O my child, make yourself the measure (for dealings) between you and others. Thus, you should desire for others what you desire for yourself and hate for others what you hate for yourself. Do not oppress as you do not like to be oppressed. Do good to others as you would like good to be done to you. Regard bad for yourself whatever you regard bad for others. Accept that (treatment) from others which you would like others to accept from you. Do not talk about what you do not know even though what you know be very little. Do not say to others what you do not like to be said to you.

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْإِعْجَابَ ضِدُّ الصَّوَابِ، وَآفَةُ الْأَلْبَابِ، فَاسْعَ فِي كَدْحِكَ، وَلَا تَكُنْ خَازِناً لِغَيْرِكَ، وَإِذَا أَنْتَ هُدِيتَ لِقَصْدِكَ فَكُنْ أَخْشَعَ مَا تَكُونُ لِرَبِّكَ.

Know that self-admiration is contrary to propriety (of action) and is a calamity for the mind. Therefore, increase your striving and do not become a treasurer for (wealth to be inherited by) others. When you have been guided on the right path humble yourself before Allāh as much as you can.

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ أَمَامَكَ طَرِيقاً ذَا مَسَافَةٍ بَعِيدَةٍ، وَمَشَقَّةٍ شَدِيدَةٍ، وَأَنَّهُ لَا غِنَى بِكَ فِيهِ عَنْ حُسْنِ الِارْتِيَادِ، وَقَدْرِ بَلاَغِكَ مِنَ الزَّادِ، مَعَ خِفَّةِ الظَّهْرِ، فَلاَ تَحْمِلَنَّ عَلَى ظَهْرِكَ فَوْقَ طَاقَتِكَ، فَيَكُونَ ثِقْلُ ذلِكَ وَبَالًا عَلَيْكَ، وَإِذَا وَجَدْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْفَاقَةِ مَنْ يَحْمِلُ لَكَ زَادَكَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ، فَيُوَافِيكَ بِهِ غَداً حَيْثُ تَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَاغْتَنِمْهُ وَحَمِّلْهُ إِيَّاهُ، وَأَكْثِرْ مِنْ تَزْوِيدِهِ وَأَنْتَ قَادِرٌ عَلَيْهِ، فَلَعَلَّكَ تَطْلُبُهُ فَلاَ تَجِدُهُ. وَاغْتَنِمْ مَنِ اسْتَقْرَضَكَ فِي حَالِ غِنَاكَ، لِيَجْعَلَ قَضَاءَهُ لَكَ فِي يَوْمِ عُسْرَتِكَ.

Know in front of you lies a road of long distance and severe hardship and you cannot avoid seeking it. Take your requirements of provision keeping the burden light. Do not load your back beyond your power lest its weight become a mischief for you. Whenever you come across a needy person who can carry for you your provision to hand it back to you on the Day of Judgement when you will need it, then accept him as a good opportunity and get him to carry it. Put in that provision as much as you are able to, for it is likely that if you may need him (afterwards), you may not get hold of him. If a person is willing to borrow from you in the days of your affluence to pay it back to you at the time of your need then make use of this opportunity.

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ أَمَامَكَ عَقَبَةً كَئُوداً، الْمُخِفُّ فِيهَا أَحْسَنُ حَالًا مِنَ الْمُثْقِلِ، وَالْمُبْطِئُ عَلَيْهَا أَقْبَحُ حَالًا مِنَ الْمُسْرِعِ، وَأَنَّ مَهْبِطَكَ بِهَا لَا مَحَالَةَ إِمَّا عَلَى جَنَّةٍ أَوْ عَلَى نَارٍ، فَارْتَدْ لِنَفْسِكَ قَبْلَ نُزُولِكَ، وَوَطِّئِ الْمَنْزِلَ قَبْلَ حُلُولِكَ، فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ مُسْتَعْتَبٌ، وَلَا إِلَى الدُّنْيَا مُنْصَرَفٌ.

Know that in front of you lies an impassable valley wherein the light-burdened man will be in a better condition than the heavy-burden one, and the slow-paced would be in a worse condition than the swift-paced. Your terminating point at the other end of this passage will necessarily be either Paradise or Hell. Therefore, investigate for yourself before alighting, and prepare the place before getting down, because after death there can be no preparation nor return to this world.

وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ خَزَائِنُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ قَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فِي الدُّعَاءِ، وَتَكَفَّلَ لَكَ بِالْإِجَابَةِ، وَأَمَرَكَ أَنْ تَسْأَلَهُ لِيُعْطِيَكَ، وَتَسْتَرْحِمَهُ لِيَرْحَمَكَ، وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ مَنْ يَحْجُبُكَ عَنْهُ، وَلَمْ يُلْجِئْكَ إِلَى مَنْ يَشْفَعُ لَكَ إِلَيْهِ، وَلَمْ يَمْنَعْكَ إِنْ أَسَأْتَ مِنَ التَّوْبَةِ، وَلَمْ يُعَاجِلْكَ بِالنِّقْمَةِ، وَلَمْ يُعَيِّرْكَ بِالْإِنَابَةِ، وَلَمْ يَفْضَحْكَ حَيْثُ الْفَضِيحَةُ بِكَ أَوْلَى، وَلَمْ يُشَدِّدْ عَلَيْكَ فِي قَبُولِ الْإِنَابَةِ، وَلَمْ يُنَاقِشْكَ بِالْجَرِيمَةِ، وَلَمْ يُؤْيِسْكَ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ، بَلْ جَعَلَ نُزُوعَكَ عَنِ الذَّنْبِ حَسَنَةً، وَحَسَبَ سَيِّئَتَكَ وَاحِدَةً، وَحَسَبَ حَسَنَتَكَ عَشْراً، وَفَتَحَ لَكَ بَابَ الْمَتَابِ، وَبَابَ الِاسْتِعْتَابِ؛ فَإِذَا نَادَيْتَهُ سَمِعَ نِدَاكَ، وَإِذَا نَاجَيْتَهُ عَلِمَ نَجْوَاكَ، فَأَفْضَيْتَ إِلَيْهِ بِحَاجَتِكَ، وَأَبْثَثْتَهُ ذَاتَ نَفْسِكَ، وَشَكَوْتَ إِلَيْهِ هُمُومَكَ، وَاسْتَكْشَفْتَهُ كُرُوبَكَ، وَاسْتَعَنْتَهُ عَلَى أُمُورِكَ، وَسَأَلْتَهُ مِنْ خَزَائِنِ رَحْمَتِهِ مَا لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى إِعْطَائِهِ غَيْرُهُ، مِنْ زِيَادَةِ الْأَعْمَارِ، وَصِحَّةِ الْأَبْدَانِ، وَسَعَةِ الْأَرْزَاقِ.

Know that He Who owns the treasuries of the heavens and of the earth has permitted you to pray to Him and has promised you acceptance of the prayer. He has commanded you to beg from Him in order that He may give you and to seek His mercy in order that He may have mercy on you. He has not placed anything between you and Him that may veil Him from you. He has not required you to get a mediator for you to Him, and if you err, He has not prevented you from repentance. He does not hasten with punishment. He does not taunt you for repenting, nor does He humiliate you when humiliation is more appropriate for you. He has not been harsh in accepting repentance. He does not severely question you about your sins. He does not disappoint you of His mercy. Rather He regards abstention from sin as a virtue. He counts your one sin as one while He counts your one virtue as ten. He has opened for you the door of repentance. Therefore, whenever you call Him He hears your call, and whenever you whisper to Him He knows the whisper. You place before Him your needs, unveil yourself before Him, complain to Him of your worries, beseech Him to remove your troubles, seek His help in your affairs and ask from the treasuries of His mercy that which no one else has power to give, namely length of life, health of body and increase in sustenance.

ثُمَّ جَعَلَ فِي يَدَيْكَ مَفَاتِيحَ خَزَائِنِهِ بِمَا أَذِنَ لَكَ فِيهِ مِنْ مَسْأَلَتِهِ، فَمَتَى شِئْتَ اسْتَفْتَحْتَ بِالدُّعَاءِ أَبْوَابَ نِعْمَتِهِ، وَاسْتَمْطَرْتَ شَآبِيبَ رَحْمَتِهِ، فَلاَ يُقَنِّطَنَّكَ إِبْطَاءُ إِجَابَتِهِ، فَإِنَّ الْعَطِيَّةَ عَلَى قَدْرِ النِّيَّةِ، وَرُبَّمَا أُخِّرَتْ عَنْكَ الْإِجَابَةُ، لِيَكُونَ ذلِكَ أَعْظَمَ لِأَجْرِ السَّائِلِ، وَأَجْزَلَ لِعَطَاءِ الْآمِلِ. وَرُبَّمَا سَأَلْتَ الشَّيْءَ فَلاَ تُؤْتَاهُ، وَأُوتِيتَ خَيْراً مِنْهُ عَاجِلا أَوْ آجِلا، أَوْ صُرِفَ عَنْكَ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ، فَلَرُبَّ أَمْر قَدْ طَلَبْتَهُ فِيهِ هَلاَكُ دِينِكَ لَوْ أُوتِيتَهُ، فَلْتَكُنْ مَسْأَلَتُكَ فِيمَا يَبْقَى لَكَ جَمَالُهُ، وَيُنْفَى عَنْكَ وَبَالُهُ؛ فَالْمَالُ لَا يَبْقَى لَكَ وَلَا تَبْقَى لَهُ.

Then He has placed the keys of His treasuries in your hands in the sense that He has shown you the way to ask Him. Therefore, wherever you wish, open the doors of His favour with prayer, and let abundant rains of His mercy fall on you. Delay in acceptance of prayer should not disappoint you because grant of prayer is according to the measure of (your) intention. Sometimes acceptance (of prayer) is delayed with a view to its being a source of greater reward to the asker and of better gifts to the expectant. Sometimes you ask for a thing but it is not given to you, and a better thing is given to you later, or a thing is taken away from you for some greater good of yours, because sometimes you ask for a thing which contains ruin for your religion if it is given to you. Therefore, your request should be for things whose beauty should be lasting and whose burden should remain away from you. As for wealth it will not last for you nor will you live for it.

وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّكَ إِنَّمَا خُلِقْتَ لِلْآخِرَةِ لَا لِلدُّنْيَا، وَلِلْفَنَاءِ لَا لِلْبَقَاءِ، وَلِلْمَوْتِ لَا لِلْحَيَاةِ؛ وَأَنَّكَ فِي [مَنْزِلِ] قُلْعَةٍ، وَدارِ بُلْغَةٍ، وَطَرِيقٍ إِلَى الْآخِرَةِ، وَأَنَّكَ طَرِيدُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي لَا يَنْجُو مِنْهُ هَارِبُهُ، وَلَا يَفُوتُهُ طَالِبُهُ، وَلَا بُدَّ أَنَّهُ مُدْرِكُهُ، فَكُنْ مِنْهُ عَلَى حَذَرِ أَنْ يُدْرِكَكَ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى حَالٍ سَيِّئَةٍ، قَدْ كُنْتَ تُحَدِّثُ نَفْسَكَ مِنْهَا بِالتَّوْبَةِ، فَيَحُولَ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ ذلِكَ، فَإِذَا أَنْتَ قَدْ أَهْلَكْتَ نَفْسَكَ.

O my child, know that you have been created for the next world, not for this world, for destruction (in this world) not for lasting, and for dying not for living. You are in a place which does not belong to you, a house for making preparations and a passage towards the next world. You are being chased by death from which the runner-away cannot escape, as it would surely overtake him. So, be on guard against it lest it overtakes you at a time when you are in a sinful state and you are thinking of repenting but it creates obstruction between you and repentance. In such a case you will ruin yourself.

يَا بُنَيَّ أَكْثِرْ مِنْ ذِكْرِ الْمَوْتِ، وَذِكْرِ مَا تَهْجُمُ عَلَيْهِ، وَتُفْضِي بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ إِلَيْهِ، حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ وَقَدْ أَخَذْتَ مِنْهُ حِذْرَكَ، وَشَدَدْتَ لَهُ أَزْرَكَ، وَلَا يَأْتِيَكَ بَغْتَةً فَيَبْهَرَكَ، وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَغْتَرَّ بِمَا تَرَى مِنْ إِخْلاَدِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَيْهَا، وَتَكَالُبِهِمْ عَلَيْهَا، فَقَدْ نَبَّأَكَ اللهُ عَنْهَا، وَنَعَتْ هِيَ لَكَ عَنْ نَفْسِهَا، وَتَكَشَّفَتْ لَكَ عَنْ مَسَاوِيهَا،

O my child, remember death very much and the place where you have to go suddenly and reach after death, so that when it comes you are already on your guard against it and have prepared yourself for it and it does not come to you all of a sudden and surprise you. Beware, lest you become deceived by the leanings of the people towards worldly attraction and their rushing upon it. Allāh has warned you about it and the world has informed you of its mortal character and unveiled to you its evils.

فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلُهَا كِلاَبٌ عَاوِيَةٌ، وَسِبَاعٌ ضَارِيَةٌ، يَهِرُّ بَعْضُهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ، وَيَأْكُلُ عَزِيزُهَا ذَلِيلَهَا، وَيَقْهَرُ كَبِيرُهَا صَغِيرَهَا. نَعَمٌ مُعَقَّلَةٌ، وَأُخْرَى مُهْمَلَةٌ، قَدْ أَضَلَّتْ عُقُولَهَا، وَرَكِبَتْ مَجْهُولَهَا. سُرُوحُ عَاهَةٍ بِوَادٍ وَعْثٍ، لَيْسَ لَهَا رَاعٍ يُقِيمُهَا، وَلَا مُسِيمٌ يُسِيمُهَا. سَلَكَتْ بِهِمُ الدُّنْيَا طَرِيقَ الْعَمَى، وَأَخَذَتْ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ عَنْ مَنَارِ الْهُدَى، فَتَاهُوا فِي حَيْرَتِهَا، وَغَرِقُوا فِي نِعْمَتِهَا، وَاتَّخَذُوهَا رَبّاً، فَلَعِبَتْ بِهِمْ وَلَعِبُوا بِهَا، وَنَسُوا مَا وَرَاءَهَا.

Surely, those (who go) after it are like barking dogs or devouring carnivore who hate each other. The stronger among them eat away the weaker and the big among them tramples over the small. Some are like tied cattle and some like untied cattle who have lost their wits and are running in unknown directions. They are flocks of calamities wandering in rugged valleys. There is no herdsman to detain them nor any tenderer to take them to grazing. The world has put them on the track of blindness and taken away their eyes from the beacons of guidance. They have therefore perplexed in its bewilderings and sunk in its pleasures. They took it as a god so it played with them. They too played with it and forgot what is beyond it.

رُوَيْداً يُسْفِرُ الظَّلاَمُ، كَأَنْ قَدْ وَرَدَتِ الْأَظْعَانُ؛ يُوشِكُ مَنْ أَسْرَعَ أَنْ يَلْحَقَ! وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّ مَنْ كَانَتْ مَطِيَّتُهُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ، فَإِنَّهُ يُسَارُ بِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ وَاقِفاً، وَيَقْطَعُ الْمَسَافَةَ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُقِيماً وَادِعاً.

Darkness is disappearing gradually. Now it is as though travellers have got down and the hasteners will soon meet. Know, O my child, that everyone who is riding on the carriage of night and day is being carried by them even though he may be stationary, and he is covering the distance even though he is staying and resting.

وَاعْلَمْ يَقِيناً أَنَّكَ لَنْ تَبْلُغَ أَمَلَكَ، وَلَنْ تَعْدُوَ أَجَلَكَ، وَأَنَّكَ فِي سَبِيلِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكَ. فَخَفِّضْ فِي الطَّلَبِ، وَأَجْمِلْ فِي الْمُكْتَسَبِ، فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّ طَلَب قَدْ جَرَّ إِلَى حَرَبٍ؛ وَلَيْسَ كُلُّ طَالِبٍ بِمَرْزُوقٍ، وَلَا كُلُّ مُجْمِلٍ بِمَحْرُومٍ. وَأَكْرِمْ نَفْسَكَ عَنْ كُلِّ دَنِيَّةٍ وَإِنْ سَاقَتْكَ إِلَى الرَّغَائِبِ، فَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تَعْتَاضَ بِمَا تَبْذُلُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ عِوَضاً. وَلَا تَكُنْ عَبْدَ غَيْرِكَ وَقَدْ جَعَلَكَ اللهُ حُرّاً. وَمَا خَيْرُ خَيْرٍ لَا يُنَالُ إِلَّا بِشَرٍّ، وَيُسْر لَا يُنَالُ إِلَّا بِعُسْرٍ.

Know with certainty you cannot achieve your desire and exceed your destined life. You are on the track of those before you. Therefore, be humble in seeking and moderate in earning because often seeking leads to deprivation. Every seeker of livelihood does not get it, nor is everyone who is moderate in seeking deprived. Keep yourself away from every low thing even though they may take you to your desired aims, because you will not get any return for your own respect which you spend. Do not be the slave of others for Allah had made you free. There is no good in good which is achieved through evil and no good in comfort that is achieved through (disgracing) hardship.

وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُوجِفَ بِكَ مَطَايَا الطَّمَعِ، فَتُورِدَكَ مَنَاهِلَ الْهَلَكَةِ. وَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَلَّا يَكُونَ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ ذُو نِعْمَةٍ فَافْعَلْ، فَإِنَّكَ مُدْرِكٌ قَسْمَكَ، وَآخِذٌ سَهْمَكَ، وَإِنَّ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ اللهِ سُبْحَانَهُ أَعْظَمُ وَأَكْرَمُ مِنَ الْكَثِيرِ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ كُلٌّ مِنْهُ.

Beware lest bearers of greed should carry you and make you descend down to the springs of destruction. If you can manage that there be no wealthy person between yourself and Allāh, do so, because in any case you will find what is for you and get your share. A little received directly from Allāh the Glorified, is more dignified than that which is more but is received through (the obligation of) His creatures, although (really) all is from Allāh.

وَتَلاَفِيكَ مَا فَرَطَ مِنْ صَمْتِكَ أَيْسَرُ مِنْ إِدْرَاكِكَ مَا فَاتَ مِنْ مَنْطِقِكَ، وَحِفْظُ مَا فِي الْوِعَاءِ بِشَدِّ الْوِكَاءِ. وَحِفْظُ مَا فِي يَدَيْكَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ طَلَبِ مَا فِي يَدَيْ غَيْرِكَ، وَمَرَارَةُ الْيَأْسِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الطَّلَبِ إِلَى النَّاسِ. وَالْحِرْفَةُ مَعَ الْعِفَّةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْغِنَى مَعَ الْفُجُورِ، وَالْمَرْءُ أَحْفَظُ لِسِرِّهِ، وَرُبَّ سَاعٍ فِيمَا يَضُرُّهُ! مَنْ أَكْثَرَ أَهْجَرَ، وَمَنْ تَفَكَّرَ أَبْصَرَ. قَارِنْ أَهْلَ الْخَيْرِ تَكُنْ مِنْهُمْ، وَبَايِنْ أَهْلَ الشَّرِّ تَبِنْ عَنْهُمْ. بِئْسَ الطَّعَامُ الْحَرَامُ ! وَظُلْمُ الضّعِيفِ أَفْحَشُ الظُّلْمِ! إِذَا كَانَ الرِّفْقُ خُرْقاً كَانَ الْخُرْقُ رِفْقاً. رُبَّمَا كَانَ الدَّوَاءُ دَاءً، وَالدَّاءُ دَوَاءً، وَرُبَّمَا نَصَحَ غَيْرُ النَّاصِحِ، وَغَشَّ الْمُسْتَنْصَحُ.

It is easier to rectify what you miss by silence than to secure what you lose by speaking. Whatever is in a pot can be retained by closing the lid. I should prefer you to retain what is in your hands rather to seek what is in other's hands. Bitterness of disappointment is better than seeking from people. Manual labour. with chastity is better than the riches of a vicious life. A man is the best guard of his own secrets. Often a man strives for what harms him. He who speaks much speaks nonsense. Whoever ponders perceives. Associate with people of virtue; you will become one of them. Keep aloof from people of vice; you will remain safe from them. The worst food is that which is unlawful. Oppressing the weak is the worst oppression. Where leniency is unsuitable, harshness is lenience. Often cure is illness and illness is cure. Often the ill-wisher gives correct advice while the well-wisher cheats.

وَإِيَّاكَ وَالِاتِّكَالَ عَلَى الْمُنَى فَإِنَّهَا بَضَائِعُ النَّوْكَى، وَالْعَقْلُ حِفْظُ التَّجَارِبِ، وَخَيْرُ مَا جَرَّبْتَ مَا وَعَظَكَ. بَادِرِ الْفُرْصَةَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَكُونَ غُصَّةً. لَيْسَ كُلُّ طَالِبٍ يُصِيبُ، وَلَا كُلُّ غَائِبٍ يَؤُوبُ، وَمِنَ الْفَسَادِ إِضَاعَةُ الزَّادِ، وَمَفْسَدَةُ الْمَعَادِ، وَلِكُلِّ أَمْرٍ عَاقِبَةٌ، سَوْفَ يَأْتِيكَ مَا قُدِّرَ لَكَ، التَّاجِرُ مُخَاطِرٌ، وَرُبَّ يَسِيرٍ أَنْمَى مِنْ كَثِيرٍ! لَا خَيْرَ فِي مُعِينٍ مَهِينٍ، وَلَا فِي صَدِيقٍ ظَنِينٍ. سَاهِلِ الدَّهْرَ مَا ذَلَّ لَكَ قَعُودُهُ، وَلَا تُخَاطِرْ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ رَجَاءَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُ، وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَجْمَحَ بِكَ مَطِيَّةُ اللَّجَاجِ.

Do not depend upon hopes because hopes are the mainstay of fools. It is wise to preserve one’s experience. Your best experience is that which teaches you a lesson. Make use of leisure before it changes into (the hour of) grief. Every seeker does not achieve (what he seeks); and every departed does not return. To lose provision and to earn evil for the Day of Judgement means ruin. Every matter has a consequence. What is destined for you will shortly come to you. A trader undertakes a risk. Often a small quantity is more beneficial than a large quantity. There is no good in an ignoble helper, nor in a suspicious friend. Be compliant with the world as long as it is in your grip. Do not put yourself to risk as regards anything in expectation for more than that. Beware lest the feeling of enmity should overpower you.

احْمِلْ نَفْسَكَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عِنْدَ صَرْمِهِ عَلَى الصِّلَةِ، وَعِنْدَ صُدُودِهِ عَلَى اللَّطَفِ وَالْمُقَارَبَةِ، وَعِنْدَ جُمُودِهِ عَلَى الْبَذْلِ، وَعِنْدَ تَبَاعُدِهِ عَلَى الدُّنُوِّ، وَعِنْدَ شِدَّتِهِ عَلَى اللِّينِ، وَعِنْدَ جُرْمِهِ عَلَى الْعُذْرِ، حَتَّى كَأَنَّكَ لَهُ عَبْدٌ، وَكَأَنَّهُ ذُو نِعْمَةٍ عَلَيْكَ.

Bear yourself towards your brother in such a way that if he disregards kinship you keep to it; when he turns away be kind to him and draw near to him; when he withholds spend for him; when he goes away approach him; when he is harsh be lenient; when he commits wrong think of (his) excuse for it, so much so as though you are a slave of him and he is the benevolent master over you.

وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَضَعَ ذلِكَ فِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعِهِ، أَوْ أَنْ تَفْعَلَهُ بِغَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ. لَا تَتَّخِذَنَّ عَدُوَّ صِدِيقِكَ صَدِيقاً فَتُعَادِيَ صَدِيقَكَ، وَامْحَضْ أَخَاكَ النَّصِيحَةَ، حَسَنَةً كَانَتْ أَوْ قَبِيحَةً، وَتَجَرَّعِ الْغَيْظَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَرَ جُرْعَةً أَحْلَى مِنْهَا عَاقِبَةً، وَلَا أَلَذَّ مَغَبَّةً. وَلِنْ لِمَنْ غَالَظَكَ، فَإِنَّهُ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَلِينَ لَكَ، وَخُذْ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ بِالْفَضْلِ فَإِنَّهُ أَحْلَى الظَّفَرَيْنِ. وَإِنْ أَرَدْتَ قَطيِعَةَ أَخِيكَ فَاسْتَبْقِ لَهُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ بَقِيَّةً يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهَا إِنْ بَدَا لَهُ ذلِكَ يَوْماً مَا، وَمَنْ ظَنَّ بِكَ خَيْراً فَصَدِّقْ ظَنَّهُ،

But take care that this should not be done inappropriately, and that you should not behave so with an undeserving person. Do not take the enemy of your friend as a friend because you will thus antagonize your friend. Give true advice to your brother, be it good or bitter. Swallow your anger because I did not find a sweeter thing than it in the end, and nothing more pleasant in consequence. Be lenient to him who is harsh to you for it is likely that he will shortly become lenient to you. Treat your enemy with favours, because this is sweeter of the two successes (the success of revenge and the success of doing favour). If you intend to cut yourself off from a friend leave some scope for him from your side by which he may resume friendship if it occurs to him some day. If anyone has a good idea about you prove it to be true.

وَلَا تُضِيعَنَّ حَقَّ أَخِيكَ اتِّكَالًا عَلَى مَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ، فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَكَ بِأَخٍ مَنْ أَضَعْتَ حَقَّهُ. وَلَا يَكُنْ أَهْلُكَ أَشْقَى الْخَلْقِ بِكَ، وَلَا تَرْغَبَنَّ فِيمَنْ زَهِدَ عَنْكَ، وَلَا يَكُونَنَّ أَخُوكَ أَقْوَى عَلَى قَطِيعَتِكَ مِنْكَ عَلَى صِلَتِهِ، وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ عَلَى الْإِسَاءَةِ أَقْوَى مِنْكَ عَلَى الْإِحْسَانِ. وَلَا يَكْبُرَنَّ عَلَيْكَ ظُلْمُ مَنْ ظَلَمَكَ، فَإِنَّهُ يَسْعَى فِي مَضَرَّتِهِ وَنَفْعِكَ، وَلَيْسَ جَزَاءُ مَنْ سَرَّكَ أَنْ تَسُوءَهُ.

Do not disregard interests of your brother depending upon your terms with him, for he is not your brother if you disregard his interests. Your household should not become the most miserable people through you. Do not lean towards him who turns away from you. Your brother should not be more firm in his disregard of kinship than you in paying regard to it, and you should exceed in doing good to him than is evil to you. Do not feel too much the oppression of a person who oppresses you, because he is only busy in harming himself and benefiting you. The reward of him who pleases you is not that you displease him.

وَاعْلَمْ يَا بُنَيَّ أَنَّ الرِّزْقَ رِزْقَانِ: رِزْقٌ تَطْلُبُهُ، وَرِزْقٌ يَطْلُبُكَ، فَإِنْ أَنْتَ لَمْ تَأْتِهِ أَتَاكَ. مَا أَقْبَحَ الْخُضُوعَ عِنْدَ الْحَاجَةِ، وَالْجَفَاءَ عِنْدَ الْغِنَى! إِنَّمَا لَكَ مِنْ دُنْيَاكَ مَا أَصْلَحْتَ بِهِ مَثْوَاكَ. وَإِنْ كُنْتَ جَازِعاً عَلَى مَا تَفَلَّتَ مِنْ يَدَيْكَ، فَاجْزَعْ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا لَمْ يَصِلْ إِلَيْكَ. اسْتَدِلَّ عَلَى مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ بِمَا قَدْ كَانَ، فَإِنَّ الْأُمُورَ أَشْبَاهٌ. وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِمَّنْ لَا تَنْفَعُهُ الْعِظَةُ إِلَّا إِذَا بَالَغْتَ فِي إِيلَامِهِ، فَإِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ يَتَّعِظُ بِالْآدَابِ، وَالْبَهَائِمَ لَا تَتَّعِظُ إِلَّا بِالضَّرْبِ.

Know O my child, that livelihood is of two kinds - a livelihood that you seek and a livelihood that seeks you, which is such that if you do not reach it, it will come to you. How bad it is to bend down at the time of need and to be harsh in riches. You should have from this world only that with which you can adorn your permanent abode. If you cry over what has gone out of your hands then also cry for what has not at all come to you. Infer about what has not yet happened from what has already happened, because occurrences are ever similar. Do not be like those whom preaching does not benefit unless you inflict pain on them, because the wise take instruction from teaching while beasts learn only from beating.

اطْرَحْ عَنْكَ وَارِدَاتِ الْهُمُومِ بِعَزَائِمِ الصَّبْرِ وَحُسْنِ الْيَقِينِ. مَنْ تَرَكَ الْقَصْدَ جَارَ. وَالصَّاحِبُ مُنَاسِبٌ. وَالصَّدِيقُ مَنْ صَدَقَ غَيْبُهُ. وَالْهَوَى شَرِيكُ الْعَمَى. وَرُبَّ بَعِيدٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْ قَرِيبٍ، وَقَرِيبٍ أَبْعَدُ مِنْ بَعِيدٍ. وَالْغَرِيبُ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ حَبِيبٌ. مَنْ تَعَدَّى الْحَقَّ ضَاقَ مَذْهَبُهُ، وَمَنِ اقْتَصَرَ عَلَى قَدْرِهِ كَانَ أَبْقَى لَهُ. وَأَوْثَقُ سَبَبٍ أَخَذْتَ بِهِ سَبَبٌ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ سُبْحَانَهُ. وَمَنْ لَمْ يُبَالِكَ فَهُوَ عَدُوُّكَ. قَدْ يَكُونُ الْيَأْسُ إِدْرَاكاً إِذَا كَانَ الطَّمَعُ هَلاَكاً. لَيْسَ كُلُّ عَوْرَةٍ تَظْهَرُ، وَلَا كُلُّ فُرْصَةٍ تُصَابُ. وَرُبَّمَا أَخْطَأَ الْبَصِيرُ قَصْدَهُ، وَأَصَابَ الْأَعْمَى رُشْدَهُ.

Ward off from yourself the onslaught of worries by firmness of endurance and purity of belief. He who gives up moderation commits excess. A companion is like a relation. A friend is he whose absence also proves the friendship. Passion is a partner of distress. Often the near ones are remoter than the distant ones, and often the distant ones are nearer than the near ones. A stranger is he who has no friend. He who transgresses right narrows his own passage. He who stays in his position remains constant upon it. The most trustworthy intermediary is that which you adopt between yourself and Allah the Glorified. He who does not care for your interests is your enemy. When greed leads to ruin deprivation is an achievement. Not every defect can be reviewed, and not every opportunity recurs. Often a person with eyes misses the track while a blind person finds the correct path.

أَخِّرِ الشَّرَّ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا شِئْتَ تَعَجَّلْتَهُ. وَقَطِيعَةُ الْجَاهِلِ تَعْدِلُ صِلَةَ الْعَاقِلِ. مَنْ أَمِنَ الزَّمَانَ خَانَهُ، وَمَنْ أَعْظَمَهُ أَهَانَهُ. لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ رَمَى أَصَابَ. إِذَا تَغَيَّرَ السُّلْطَانُ تَغَيَّرَ الزَّمَانُ. سَلْ عَنِ الرَّفِيقِ قَبْلَ الطَّرِيقِ، وَعَنِ الْجَارِ قَبْلَ الدَّارِ. إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَذْكُرَ مِنَ الْكَلاَمِ مَا يَكُونُ مُضْحِكاً، وَإِنْ حَكَيْتَ ذلِكَ عَنْ غَيْرِكَ.

Delay an evil because you will be able to hasten it whenever you desire. The disregard of kinship of the ignorant is equal to the regard for kinship of the wise. Whoever takes the world to be safe, it will betray him. Whoever regards the world as great, it will humiliate him. Every one who shoots does not hit. When authority changes, the time changes too. Consult the friend before adopting a course and the neighbour before taking a house. Beware, lest you mention in your speech what may rouse laughter even though you may be relating it from others.

وَإِيَّاكَ وَمُشَاوَرَةَ النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّ رَأْيَهُنَّ إِلَى أَفْنٍ، وَعَزْمَهُنَّ إِلَى وَهْنٍ. وَاكْفُفْ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ بِحِجَابِكَ إِيَّاهُنَّ، فَإِنَّ شِدَّةَ الْحِجَابِ أَبْقَى عَلَيْهِنَّ، وَلَيْسَ خُرُوجُهُنَّ بِأَشَدَّ مِنْ إِدْخَالِكَ مَنْ لَا يُوثَقُ بِهِ عَلَيْهِنَّ، وَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَلَّا يَعْرِفْنَ غَيْرَكَ فَافْعَلْ. وَلَا تُمَلِّكِ الْمَرْأَةَ مِنْ أَمْرِهَا مَا جَاوَزَ نَفْسَهَا، فَإِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ رَيْحَانَةٌ وَلَيْسَتْ بِقَهْرَمَانَةٍ، وَلَا تَعْدُ بِكَرَامَتِهَا نَفْسَهَا، وَلَا تُطْمِعْهَا فِي أَنْ تَشْفَعَ لِغَيْرِهَا. وَإِيَّاكَ وَالتَّغَايُرَ فِي غَيْرِ مَوْضِعِ غَيْرَةٍ، فَإِنَّ ذلِكَ يَدْعُو الصَّحِيحَةَ إِلَى السُّقْمِ، وَالْبَرِيئَةَ إِلَى الرَّيْبِ.

Do not consult women because their view is weak and their determination unstable. Cover their eyes by keeping them under the veil because strictness of veiling keeps them for long. Their coming out is not worse than your allowing an unreliable man to visit them. If you can manage that they should not know anyone other than you, do so. Do not allow a woman matters other than those about herself, because a woman is a flower not an administrator. Do not pay her regard beyond herself. Do not encourage her to intercede for others. Do not show suspicion out of place, because this leads a correct woman to evil and a chaste woman to deflection.

وَاجْعَلْ لِكُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْ خَدَمِكَ عَمَلًا تَأْخُذُهُ بِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ أَحْرَى أَلَّا يَتَوَاكَلُوا فِي خِدْمَتِكَ. وَأَكْرِمْ عَشيِرَتَكَ، فَإِنَّهُمْ جَنَاحُكَ الَّذِي بِهِ تَطِيرُ، وَأَصْلُكَ الَّذِي إِلَيْهِ تَصِيرُ، وَيَدُكَ الَّتِي بِهَا تَصُولُ.

For everyone among your servants fix a work for which you may hold him responsible. In this way, they will not fling the work one over the other. Respect your kinsmen because they are your wings with which you fly, the origin towards which you return and your hands with which you attack.

إِسْتَوْدِعِ اللهَ دِينَكَ وَدُنْيَاكَ، وَاسْأَلْهُ خَيْرَ الْقَضَاءِ لَكَ فِي الْعَاجِلَةِ وَالْآجِلَةِ، وَالدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ، وَالسَّلَامُ.

Place your religion and your world at Allah’s disposal and beg Him to ordain the best for you in respect of the near and the far, this world and the next; and that is an end to the matter.

Extrait de son testament à son fils Al Hassan bin ‘Ali, écrit à Hadirin après son retour de Saffine

Du père périssable, sujet aux transformations du temps, dont l’âge avance, qui se résigne à la vie, vivant déjà parmi les morts, et qui demain devra quitter ce monde; à l’enfant qui espère ce qui est irréalisable, s’engage dans le chemin de ceux qui périssent par les maladies ou sont les otages des jours, les cibles des malheurs, les esclaves du monde, les commerçants des illusions, les émules du trépas, les prisonniers de la mort, les partenaires des soucis, les conjoints des tristesses, les cibles des dommages, les victimes des passions et les successeurs des morts.

Je viens de constater que le monde me tourne le dos, les vicissitudes du sort s’acharnent contre moi et la vie future frappe à ma porte. Tout cela me pousse à me soucier de ce qui m’attend et à oublier tout le reste. Car mes soucis me détournent de ceux des autres, accaparent mes pensées et m’éloignent de mes inclinations. Etant éclairé sur ma condition humaine, je me vois engagé dans une situation sérieuse qui éloigne toute irréflexion et qui réclame une véracité non tachée de mensonge. Sur ce, je te trouve [ô mon fils,] comme une partie de moi-même ou plutôt comme tout moi-même au point que tout ce qui te touche me touche et que si la mort t’atteint elle m’atteint. Je me préoccupe de toute affaire qui t’arrive comme si elle est mienne. Dès lors, je t’écris cette lettre pour te guider, que je sois vivant ou mort.

Je te recommande, mon fils, de craindre Dieu, de suivre Ses ordres, de l’invoquer en ton cœur et de t’attacher à Lui. Quelle affection est-elle plus intime que celle qui te fait lier à Dieu?

Vivifie ton cœur par l’exhortation, foule ses tendances par l’ascétisme, fortifîe-le par la certitude, illumine-le par la sagesse, humilie-le par le rappel de la mort, demande-lui de croire à l’anéantissement, fais-le voir les grands malheurs de la vie, mets-le en garde contre le retournement du sort et la turpitude des vicissitudes des nuits et des jours, expose-lui les récits des anciens et rappelle-lui ce qui est arrivé aux générations passées, Déambule parmi leurs demeures et leurs vestiges. Observe ce qu’ils ont fait, comment se sont déplacés, où sont-ils arrivés, et ce qu’ils sont devenus. Tu trouveras qu’ils ont délaissé leurs amis les plus chers et se sont installés dans des demeures étrangères. Bientôt tu seras parmi eux.

Corrige donc ta façon de vivre et ne vend pas la vie future par celle d’ici bas. Ne dis que ce que tu connais et ne fais des discours que sur demande. Détoume-toi d’un chemin si tu as peur qu’il te mène vers l’erreur, car se retenir quand on est dans le doute vaut mieux que de s’engager aveuglement.

Ordonne le convenable pour que tu sois parmi les bons. Rejette le blâmable par tes mains et ta langue et essaie de convertir celui qui le fait. Mène au service de Dieu un Jihad véridique et qu’aucune critique ne t’arrête d’être avec Dieu. Affronte les obstacles qui voilent la vérité et le droit Approfondis tes connaissances religieuses, Accoutume-toi à l’endurance devant l’adversité, car la bravoure consiste à patienter pour servir la vérité et le droit. Réfugie-toi, dans toutes tes affaires, en Dieu qui est ton protecteur puissant. Sois sincère envers ton Seigneur qui détient dans ses mains les dons et les privations. Demande à choisir la meilleure opinion en réfléchissant profondément.

Comprends mes recommandations sans les négliger, car la meilleure parole est celle qui est utile. Sache enfin qu’une connaissance inutile n’est pas bonne et qu’un savoir illicite n’a aucune utilité.

O mon fils! Lorsque je me suis aperçu que j’avançais en âge et que je m’affaiblissais de jour en jour, j’ai commencé à t’écrire ces recommandations de peur de rencontrer la mort avant de t’exposer ma pensée, d’être retardé mentalement et corporellement ou, en ce qui te concerne, d’être devancé par la horde des passions et des séductions qui te rendront comme un coursier sauvage. Le cœur du jeune ressemble à une terre vierge qui accepte toute semence. Je commence donc à te former avant que ton cœur ne se durcisse et ton esprit ne s’obscurcisse, afin que tu te formes une opinion sérieuse basée sur les expériences des autres, et ainsi tu auras acquis les provisions demandées, tu te seras épargné les expériences vécues et tu profiteras de mes leçons desquelles tu tireras au clair ce qui ne l’était pas pour nous.

Mon fils, bien que je n’aie pas atteint l’âge de mes devanciers, j’ai néanmoins médité leurs actions, pensé à leurs annales et suivi leurs traces jusqu’à devenir comme l’un d’eux, ou plutôt comme si j’avais vécu leurs propres âges, soutirant leur science et toutes choses utiles qu’ils avaient faites. C’est ainsi que j’ai extrait la quintessence des choses pour te choisir ce qui est beau et écarter ce qui est inconnu. Et en tant que père compatissant qui s’intéresse à son fils et à son éducation et qui tient compte de Page de son fils, de ses saines intentions et de son âme limpide, j’ai vu que je dois commencer par t’apprendre le Livre de Dieu, qu’il soit loué, la façon de l’interpréter, les lois et prescriptions de l’Islam, ce qui est licite ou illicite, avant de t’apprendre autre chose. Craignant que tu sois victime des équivoques qui provoquent chez les gens le déchaînement des passions et la diversité des opinions, je n’ai pas aimé t’avertir, mais le fait de te mettre en garde m’est plus agréable que de te laisser exposé à des périls qui conduiraient à ta perte. J’espère ainsi que Dieu te favorise en te guidant dans ta manière d’agir droite et ferme et en te dirigeant vers ton but. Pour tout cela j’ai décidé de t’écrire mes recommandations ci-dessous:

Sache, mon fils, que ce qui m’est h plus agréable c’est de donner, dans mes recommandations, la priorité à la crainte de Dieu, de te limiter à poursuivre Ses obligations et de mettre en œuvre les traditions de tes parents qui t’ont précédé et des hommes justes de ta Maison; iis ont toujours médité et pensé comme toi, ce qui les a amenés à se comporter en connaissance de cause, faisant ce qui est ordonné et ne se chargeant pas de ce qui n’est pas imposé. Si, toi aussi, tu veux agir comme eux en connaissance de cause, que cela se passe à bon escient, avec compréhension et savoir, non en s’engageant dans ce qui est équivoque et sujet à discorde.

Mais commence toujours par demander de l’aide à ton Dieu pour te rendre heureux et par délaisser tout doute qui entraîne l’équivoque ou l’erreur. Lorsque tu deviens sûr que ton cœur est devenu pur et humilié devant Dieu, que tes préoccupations intellectuelles sont devenues prêtes et que tes préoccupations religieuses se concentrent uniquement en Dieu, médite alors mes interprétations. Mais si elles s’opposent à tes préférences et à ta manière de voir et de penser, c’est que tu te débats dans l’erreur et les ténèbres, Or, ne recherche pas la religion celui qui se perd dans les labyrinthes et il vaut mieux qu’il en sort.

Médite bien, mon fils, mes conseils. Sache que Celui qui détient la vie est le maître de la mort -et c’est bien le Créateur. En effet, Celui qui anéantît est aussi Celui qui ressuscite, et Celui qui envoie la maladie est Celui qui possède le remède. La vie ne s’est établie comme elle est maintenant que grâce à Dieu. On y voit le bien-être, le malheur, la rétribution de l’Au-delà, tout ce que Dieu veut et que tu ignores. Si tu n’arrives pas à saisir une affaire, attribue ce manque à ton ignorance, car tu as été créé ignorant, puis on t’a appris, mais nombreuses sont les questions que tu ignores, qui te laissent perplexe, que ton esprit n'arrive pas à saisir mats que tu comprendras plus tard. Cherche refuge auprès de Celui qui t’a fourni les biens; rends-Lui le culte qui Lui est dû et que ton espoir et ta crainte tendent vers Lui.

Sache, mon fils, que personne n’a pu savoir sur Dieu mieux que le Prophète. Prends-le comme éclaireur et dirigeant vers le salut, en suivant mon conseil. Car tu ne peux être aussi clairvoyant, même si tu fais des efforts, comme je le suis pour toi.

Sache, mon fils, que si Ton Seigneur avait un associé, celui-ci aurait envoyé ses messagers pour montrer les preuves de son royaume et de sa puissance et faire connaître ses actions et ses attributs. Mais Dieu est Unique, comme II S’est décrit Lui-même; personne ne s’oppose à Lui et il n’a ni commencement, ni fin. Il devance toutes choses dont II est le premier sans commencement, et continue à exister après elles sans que Son Existence prenne fin. Sa divinité est trop transcendante pour être perçue ou conçue. Si tu connais cela tu feras bien d’agir en conséquence; tu es de peu d’importance par rapport à Lui, ta puissance est trop minime, ton incapacité est trop grande, tu as un très grand besoin de Son aide, tu dois Lui obéir, craindre Sa punition et avoir peur de Sa colère: Il ne t’ordonne que ce qui est bon et ne t’interdit que ce qui est mauvais.

Mon fils, je t’ai informé sur ce monde, son état, sa disparition et sa transformation. De même, je t’ai informé sur l’autre monde et ce qui est préparé à ceux qui y iront. Je t’ai donné des exemples concernant l’un et l’autre monde, afin que tu les prennes en considération et les imite. Celui qui a expérimenté le monde ressemble à un voyageur dont la maison déserte ne lui convenait pas et qui aspire à une demeure verdoyante, pleine d’herbes. Il a supporté alors les peines de la route, la séparation d’avec l’ami, la dureté du voyage et la grossièreté des aliments, afin d’arriver à une vaste demeure où il s’établit sans y subir de douleur. Ce faisant, il oublie ses efforts antérieurs, car rien ne lui est plus cher que d’être dans sa propre maison, non loin des siens. Celui qui est pris par les illusions de ce monde ressemble à celui qui habitait une maison prospère qu’il trouvait inconvenable et allait habiter une autre aride. Il s’en repent: rien n’est aussi détestable et abominable pour lui que la séparation d’avec son état antérieur, et il tend à le rejoindre.

Mon fils, sois une juste balance qui égalise ce qui est à toi avec ce qui est aux autres. Aime pour autrui ce que tu aimes pour toi-même. Hais pour lui ce que tu hais pour toi-même. Ne commets pas une injustice que tu n’aimes pas subir. Fais du bien comme tu aimes qu’on te le fasse. Déteste pour ta personne ce que tu détestes chez les autres. Accepte des gens ce que tu voudrais qu’ils acceptent de toi. Ne dis que ce que tu connais, même si ta connaisssance est incomplète, et ne dis pas ce que tu n’aimes pas que l’on te dise.

Sache que la vanité est contraire à la raison qu’elle égare. Travaille durement pour ta subsistance et ne théaurise pas pour d’autes. Si tu est bien dirigé vers ton bien ultime, garde une attitude de componction envers ton Seigneur.

Sache aussi que tu as devant toi un très long chemin, très difficile à parcourir, qui exige que tu sois bien préparé et très approvisionné pour le suivre et que ta charge soit minime. Ne porte pas sur tes épaules une charge supérieure à ta capacité pour éviter de succomber. Si tu trouves parmi les pauvres quiconque peut porter pour toi ton fardeau pour l’autre monde et te le remet lorsque tu en auras besoin, accepte son service en lui donnant tout ce que tu es capable de le faire, car il se peut que tu le demandes un jour et ne le trouves pas. Saisis l’occasion de donner tant que tu es riche, car le don est une bonne provision pour le jour difficile de la Résurrection,

Sache que tu dois escalader une pente abrupte où le plus léger est plus à Taise que le plus chargé et le plus rapide est plus capable de la traverser que celui qui y traîne. Elle aboutit nécessairement ou bien au Paradis, ou bien au Feu. Prépare-toi pour le Paradis avant d’y être accepté, car après la mort on ne demandera pas aux gens de revenir sur ce qui a provoqué la colère de Dieu.

Sache que Celui qui détient dans Ses mains les trésors des Cieux et de ta terre Ta permis de le prier et s’est engagé à exaucer tes demandes. Il t’a ordonné de Le solliciter pour qu’il te donne de faire appel à Sa miséricorde. Il n’a mis entre toi et Lui aucun intercesseur, ne t’empêche pas, si tu pèches, de te repentir, ni te traite avec vengeance, ni te reproche si tu reviens à Lui. Il ne te confond pas alors que tu le mérites. Il n'est pas trop exigeant pour refuser ton repentir, ne discute pas ton crime et ne te fait pas désespérer de Sa miséricorde. Au contraire, il considère ton repentir comme une bonne action et compte ta faute une fois et ta bonne action dix fois. Il t’ouvre la porte de la contrition et du regret. Si tu l’appelles II entend ton appel; si tu te confies à Lui, Lui exposes ton état d’âme, tes besoins, tes griefs et tes malheurs et demandes Son aide, Il te donnera de Ses trésors ce que personne d’autre ne peut le faire: il allongera ton espérance de vie, te munira d’une excellente santé et te prodiguera Ses biens immenses.

Puis II mettra entre tes mains les clés de Ses trésors pour te permettre de pourvoir à tes besoins, Quand tu veux tu peux alors ouvrir par la prière les portes de Sa grâce et faire pleuvoir la pluie de Sa Miséricorde, Cependant, ne désespère pas si Sa récompense se fait attendre, car le don est à la mesure de tes intentions. Il se peut que la réponse tarde à te parvenir afin que la demande augmente la récompense du demandeur. Il se peut aussi que tu reçoives autre chose que ta demande: un bien imminent ou lointain. Ta demande pourrait aussi impliquer, si elle est exaucée, la perdition de ta religiosité. Qu'elle soit donc axée sur ce dont la beauté est durable et le désagrément est évitable. Car les biens de ce monde sont éphémères.

Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 2, Chapter 31