Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons
Sermon 96: Praise belongs to God, Who is the First ...
In eulogy of the Holy Prophet
ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)
في الله وفي الرسول الاكرم
Praise be to Allah who is such First that nothing is before Him and such Last that there is nothing after Him. He is such Manifest that there is nothing above Him and such Hidden that there is nothing nearer than He.
الْحَمْدُ للهِ الاْوَّلِ فَلاَ شَيْءَ قَبْلَهُ، وَالاخِرِ فَلاَ شَيْءَ بَعْدَهُ، وَالظَّاهِرِ فَلاَ شَيْءَ فَوْقَهُ، وَالْبَاطِنِ فَلاَ شيَ دُونَهُ.
A part of the same sermon about the Holy Prophet
منها: في ذكر الرسول (صلى الله عليه وآله)
His place of stay is the best of all places and his origin the noblest of all origins in the mines of honour and the cradles of safety. Hearts of virtuous persons have been inclined towards him and the reins of eyes have been turned towards him. Through him Allah buried mutual rancour and put off the flames of revolt. Through him He gave them affection like brothers and separated those who were together (through unbelief). Through him He gave honour to the low and degraded honour (of unbelief). His speaking is clear and his silence is (indicative) like tongue.
مُسْتَقَرُّهُ خَيْرُ مُسْتَقَرٍّ، وَمَنْبِتُهُ أَشْرَفُ مَنْبِت، فِي مَعَادِنِ الْكَرَامَةِ، وَمَمَاهِدِ السَّلاَمَةِ. قَدْ صُرِفَتْ نَحْوَهُ أَفْئِدَةُ الاْبْرَارِ، وَثُنِيَتْ إِلَيْهِ أَزِمَّةُ الاْبْصَارِ، دَفَنَ [اللهُ ]بِهِ الضَّغَائِنَ، وَأَطْفَأَ بِهِ الثَّوَائِر، وأَلَّفَ بِهِ إِخْوَاناً، وَفَرَّقَ بِهِ أَقْرَاناً، أَعَزَّ بِهِ الذِّلَّةَ، وَأَذَلَّ بِهِ الْعِزَّةَ، كَلاَمُهُ بَيَانٌ، وَصَمْتُهُ لِسَانٌ.
Alternative Sources for Sermon 96
(1) Al-Majlisi, Bihar, XVI, 380.