A Lecture on Nahjul Balagha

A Sermon Without Dots

A sermon by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (ع) all Arabic letters of which do not contain any dots at all.

***

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

Following is a sermon by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (ع) all Arabic letters of which do not contain any dots at all:

Praise to Allah Who is the praiseworthy, the affectionate owner of everything, the One who forms everyone born, the ultimate end of everyone who is expelled, the One Who spreads out the earth, Who firms the mountains, Who sends out rain, who facilitates the attainment of goals, Who knows the secrets and realizes them, Who destroys the possessions and annihilates them, who folds out times and repeats them, who causes matters and is their source. His forgiveness covers all, His creation of the clouds is perfected: Rain showers succeed it. He prolongs pursuits and hopes, broadens sands and places them. I praise Him an extended praise, and I recognize His unity just as those who love Him the most recognize: He is Allah, there is no god for the nations besides Him, nor is there anyone to cause a defect to what he straightens and does. He sent Muhammed as a banner for Islam and an Imam for those who rule, a helper to the commoners and one who puts an end to the judgments of Wadd and Siwa' (idols).

He knows and He informs, He rules and He perfects: He is the origin of origins. He [Muhammed] paves the path [to the Almighty] and emphasizes the Promised Day, warning about it. Allah has made honors to reach him, depositing in his soul Islam,

blessing his honorable family and offspring so long as there is anything that shines like lightning, anyone who hurries his pace towards his pursuit, whenever a crescent appears and the announcement about it is made.

Do, may Allah look after you, righteous deeds, tread the paths of what is permissible, put what is prohibitive aside and abandon it, listen to the command of Allah and realize it, keep in touch with your kinsfolk and look after them, disobey your inclinations and curb them, give your daughters by way of marriage to the people of righteousness and piety, and stay away from the folks who sport and who covet, so your marriage ties will produce the most pure of freemen, the most eminent descent, those who will let you achieve your dreams.

This should be before your eyes, your domain will thus be rightful, your brides honored, and let her [bride] dower be just as the Messenger of Allah (ص) had paid to Umm Salamah, while he is the most honored of all in-laws, the most kind of all sons, and he had whatever he wanted, though having it was not easy, nor did it worry him, nor did his epics ever diminish, nor was he ever stigmatized.

I plead to Allah to grant you the most praiseworthy of connection with Him, the perpetuation of pleasing Him; may He inspire each of you about that which reforms your condition and prepares you for what you shall receive [in the Hereafter]. Eternal praise belongs to Him; lauding belongs to His Messenger Ahmad (ص).

Sources:

[1] نقلناها عن كتاب سلوني قبل ان تفقدوني للشيخ محمد رضا الحكيمي، ج2، ص442- 443.

Quoted from the book "Salooni Qabla An Tafqidooni" (Ask me before you lose me), for Shaykh Muhammed Rida Al-Hakeemi

[2] ابي هاشم الجباني عن ابيه ابي علي عن ابي يعقوب الشحام عن ابي الهذيل

Narrated from Abi Hashim Al-Jabani from his father Abi Ali from Abi Ya'qoob Al-Shahham from Abi Al-Hatheel Al-Allaf from Abi Othman Al-Taweel from Wasil Bin Ataa from Abi Hashim Abdullah bin Muhammed bin Ali from his father Muhammed bin Al-Hanafiyah from Ali.