Peak of Eloquence Nahjul Balagha By Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib - English Translation - Sermon 33

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Abdullah ibn Abbas says that when Amir al-Mu’minin (􀁸) set
out to fight the people of Basra, he came to his audience at Thi-Qar
and saw that Abdullah [ibn Abbas] was stitching his shoe. Then Amir
al-Mu’minin (􀁸) said to me, “What is the price of this shoe?” I said:
“It has no value now.” He then said, “By Allah! It should have been
more dear to me than ruling over you except for the fact that I have
established right and warded off wrong.” Then the Imam (􀁸) came
out and spoke thus:
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Verily, Allah sent Muhammad (􀁨) when none among the Arabs
read a book or claimed Prophethood. He guided the people till he took
them to their (correct) status and their salvation and their spears (ie.
officers) became straight and their conditions settled down.
By Allah, surely I was in their lead till it took shape with its
walls. I did not show weakness or cowardice. My existing march is also
like that. I shall certainly pierce the wrong till right comes out of its side.
What (cause of conflict) is there between the tribesmen of
Quraish and me? By Allah, I have fought them when they were
unbelievers and I shall fight them when they have been misled. I shall be
the same for them today as I was for them yesterday. you.