Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons
Sermon 118: You are supporters of Truth and brethren in faith….
In praise of his faithful companions
ومن كلام له (عليه السلام)
في الصالحين من أصحابه
You are supporters of Truth and brethren in faith. You are the shield on the day of tribulation, and (my) trustees among the rest of the people. With your support I strike the runner away and hope for the obedience of him who advances forward. Therefore, extend to me support which is free from deceit and pure from doubt because, by Allah, I am the most preferable of all for the people.
أَنْتمُ الاَنْصَارُ عَلَى الْحَقِّ، وَالاِخُوَانُ في الدِّينِ، وَالْجُنَنُ يَوْمَ الْبَأْسِ، وَالْبِطَانَةُ دُونَ النَّاسِ، بِكُمْ أَضْرِبُ الْمُدْبِرَ، وَأَرْجُو طَاعَةَ الْمُقْبِلِ، فَأَعِينُوني بِمُنَاصَحَة خَلِيَّة مِنَ الْغِشِّ، سَلِيمَة مِنَ الرَّيْبِ; فَوَ اللهِ إِنِّي لاَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِالنَّاسِ!
Alternative Sources for Sermon 118
(1) Al-Tabari, Ta'rikh;
(2) Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I, 121;
(3) al-Waqidi, in al-Jamal and;
(4) al-Mada'ini in his book, see Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Sharh, II, 259.