Hadith.5433 - It is narrated from Sulaym ibn Qays Al-Hilali who said:
"I witnessed the will of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام when he appointed his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام as his successor and made Imam Hussain ibn Ali عليه السلام, Muhammad (Hanafiya), all of his children, the prominent members of his household, and his followers (Shi'a) witnesses to his will. Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام handed over to him (Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام) the book and the weapon, and Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said:
'O' my son, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded me to appoint you as my successor and to hand over to you my books and my weapon, just as he appointed me and handed over his books and his weapon to me. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also commanded me to instruct you that when death approaches you, you should hand them over to your brother Al- Hussain عليه السلام.'
Then he turned to his son Imam Hussain ibn Ali عليه السلام and said:
'And the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand it over to your son Ali ibn Al- Hussain عليه السلام.'
Then he turned to his son Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام and said:
'And the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand your will over to your son Muhammad ibn Ali عليه السلام. Convey to him the greetings of peace from the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) and from me.'
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام turned to his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام and said:
'O' my son, you are the guardian of the matter and the avenger of the blood. If you forgive, it is your right, and if you choose to retaliate, then strike only as you were struck, and do not transgress.'
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said:
'Write: In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. This is what Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام bequeathed.
He عليه السلام bears witness that there is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, alone without partner, and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is His سبحانه وتعالى servant and Messenger, whom He سبحانه وتعالى sent with guidance and the religion of truth so that He سبحانه وتعالى may make it prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it."
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued:
"Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Lord عز وجل of the worlds. He سبحانه وتعالى has no partner, and with this I have been commanded, and I am among the Muslims."
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said:
"I advise you, O' Hasan عليه السلام, and all of my children, my household, and everyone who receives this letter from among the believers to fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى, your Lord عز وجل, and do not die except while you are Muslims.'
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah سبحانه وتعالى all together and do not become divided. Remember Allah's سبحانه وتعالى favor upon you when you were enemies, and He سبحانه وتعالى brought your hearts together.'
Indeed, I heard the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) say: Reconciliation between people is better than most prayers and fasting.'
Hatred destroys religion, and corruption between people is destructive. There is no power except with Allah سبحانه وتعالى.'
Take care of your relatives and maintain ties with them, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make your reckoning easier.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of orphans - do not let their mouths hunger, and do not let them be neglected in your presence. For I heard the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) say: 'Whoever takes care of an orphan until they become self-sufficient, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make Paradise obligatory for them, just as He سبحانه وتعالى has made the Fire obligatory for one who consumes the property of an orphan.'"
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued:
"By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the Qur'an. Let no one surpass you in acting upon it.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of your neighbours, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His Messenger have both advised concerning them.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the House of your Lord عز وجل. Do not let it be abandoned as long as you live, for if it is neglected, you will be forsaken. The least reward one receives upon visiting it is that past sins are forgiven.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of prayer, for it is the best of deeds and the pillar of your religion.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of zakat, for it extinguishes the anger of your Lord عز وجل.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of fasting during the month of Ramadan, for fasting is a shield against the Fire.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the poor and the needy. Include them in your livelihood.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of jihad in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى with your wealth and your lives. Indeed, the one who truly strives in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is either a guiding leader or one who obeys him and follows his guidance.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the progeny of your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Do not let them be wronged while they are among you and you have the power to defend them.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of the companions of your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم - those who did not commit innovations and did not support innovators. For the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) advised regarding them and cursed the one who innovates among them or others and those who support innovators.
By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, be mindful of women and those whom your right hands possess. Do not fear the blame of the blamers when it comes to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Allah سبحانه وتعالى will suffice you against those who wish you harm and plot against you.
Speak kindly to people' as Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has commanded you.
Do not neglect enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, lest Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives authority to the worst among you. Then you will pray, and your prayers will not be answered.
O' my children! Maintain ties with one another, be generous to one another, and be kind to each other. Beware of severing ties, turning your backs on one another, and division.
Cooperate in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى; indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is severe in punishment.'
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى protect you, O' people of my household, and preserve through you your Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. I entrust you to Allah سبحانه وتعالى and convey my peace upon you."
Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام continued to say: "There is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى," until he passed away - peace and blessings be upon him - in the early night of the last ten nights, on the twenty-first night of the month of Ramadan, on a Friday night, in the fortieth year after the Hijrah.