Peak of Eloquence Nahjul Balagha By Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib - English Translation - Sermon 192

#suntv #nahjulbalagha #nahjulbalaghaenglish

It is related that a companion of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x)

called Hamman188, who was a man devoted to worship, and said to him, “O Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib! Describe to me the pious men in such a way as though I see them.” Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) replied

saying: “Hamman! Fear Allah and do good deeds because “Verily, Allah is

with those who guard (themselves against evil) and those who do good (to others)” (Holy Quran, 16: 128). But Hamman was not satisfied with this answer and pressured the Imam to provide more details. Thereupon, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (x) praised Allah and extolled Him

and sought His blessings on the Holy Prophet (h) then said the following:

Allah, the most Glorified One, the Sublime, created everything and everyone. He created them without any need for their obedience. The sin of any sinner does not harm Him, nor does the obedience of anyone who obeys Him benefit Him. He has distributed among them their livelihood and has assigned for them their positions in the world.

Thus, the God-fearing, in this world are the people of distinction. Their speech is to the point, their clothing is moderate and their gait is humble. They keep their eyes closed to what Allah has made unlawful for them, and they put listen to the knowledge which is beneficial to them. They remain calm during the time of trials. If there had not been fixed periods (of life) ordained for each one of them, their spirits would not have remained in their bodies even for the twinkling of an eye because of (their) eagerness for the reward [awaiting them in the Hereafter] and fear of chastisement. The greatness of the Creator is seated in their heart and; so, everything else appears small in their eyes. Thus, to them, Paradise is as though they see it and are enjoying its bliss. To them, Hell is also as if they see it and are suffering from its punishment.

Their hearts are grieved, they are protected against evils, their bodies are thin, their needs are scanty and their souls are chaste. They endure (hardship) for a short while; consequently, they secure comfort for a long time. It is a beneficial transaction that Allah made easy for them.

641

The world wants them, but they do not want it. It captured them, but they freed themselves from it with a ransom.

During the night, they are up standing on their feet reading portions of the Holy Quran and reciting it in a well-measured way, creating through it grief for themselves and seeking by it the cure for their ailments. If they come across a verse which creates eagerness (for Paradise), they pursue it avidly, and their spirits turn towards it eagerly, and they feel as if it is in front of them. And when they come across a verse which inspires fear (of Hell), they bend the ears of their hearts towards it and feel as though the sound of Hell and its cries are reaching their ears. They bend their backs, prostrate on their foreheads, palms, knees and toes, beseeching Allah, the Sublime, for their deliverance. During the day, they endure, learn and remain virtuous and God -fearing. Fear (of Allah) has made them thin like arrows. If any one looks at them, he believes they are sick, although they are not sick at all, and he would say that they have lost their sanity. In fact, a great concern (i.e. fear) has made them look like that.

They are not satisfied with [what they consider as] their minor good deeds and do not regard their major deeds as great. They always blame themselves and are afraid of their deeds. When anyone of them is spoken of highly, he says the following: “I know myself better than others and my Master knows me better than I know. O Allah! Do not deal with me according to what they say, make me better than they think of me and forgive me (my shortcomings) which they do not know.”

The peculiarity of any of them is that you would see that he has strength in religion, determination along with leniency, faith with conviction, eagerness in (seeking) knowledge in forbearance, moderation when rich, devotion in worship, gracefulness in hunger, endurance in hardship, desire for what is lawful, pleasure with guidance and hatred for greed. He performs virtuous deeds but still feels alert. In the evening, he is anxious to offer thanks (to Allah). In the morning his anxiety is to remember (Allah). He fearfully passes his night in adoration and rises in the morning in joy - fear lest night is passed in forgetfulness, and joy over the favor and mercy which he is sure to receive. If his soul refuses to endure a thing which it does not like, he does not grant its request towards what it does like. The coolness of his eye lies in what is to last forever, while from the things (of this world) that would not last he keeps aloof. He transfuses knowledge with forbearance and speech with action.