Nahj al-Balagha

Nahj al-Balagha 1221

Our people [1] (the Quraysh) decided to kill our Prophet and to annihilate our root. They created worries for us, behave…

Nahj al-Balagha 1222

Allāh then gave us determination to protect His religion and defend His honour. The believers among us expected (heavenl…

Nahj al-Balagha 1223

The way with the Prophet (may Allāh bless him and his descendants) was that when fighting became fierce and people began…

Nahj al-Balagha 1224

How strange it is that I am being grouped with him who never evinced briskness of pace like me nor had he to his credit …

Nahj al-Balagha 1225

As regards your request to hand over to you the murderers of ‘Uthmān, I have thought over this matter and I do not find …

Nahj al-Balagha 1226

To Mu‘āwiyah

Nahj al-Balagha 1227

What will you do when the coverings of this world in which you are wrapped are removed from you. The world attracted you…

Nahj al-Balagha 1228

Therefore, keep off from this affair, take heed of the accounting (on the Day of Judgement), get ready for death that wi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1229

O’ Mu‘āwiyah, when were you all protectors of the ruled and guardians of the affairs of the people? Without any forward …

Nahj al-Balagha 1230

You have called me to war. Better to leave the people on one side, come out to me and spare both the parties from fighti…

Nahj al-Balagha 1231

I am Abu’l-Ḥasan who killed your grandfather [2], your brother [3] and your uncle [4] by cutting them to pieces on the d…

Nahj al-Balagha 1232

You think you have come out seeking to revenge ‘Uthmān’s blood. Certainly, you know how ‘Uthmān’s blood was shed. If you…

Nahj al-Balagha 1233

Instructions given to the contingent sent to confront the enemy [1]

Nahj al-Balagha 1234

When you proceed towards the enemy or he proceeds towards you, the position of your force should be on the approaches hi…

Nahj al-Balagha 1235

And know that the vanguard of an army serves as their eyes, and the eyes of the vanguard are their informers. Beware of …

Nahj al-Balagha 1236

Instructions given to Ma‘qil ibn Qays ar-Riyāḥī when he was dispatched to Syria at the head of a vanguard contingent thr…

Nahj al-Balagha 1237

Fear Allāh before Whom attendance is inevitable, and with other than Whom there is no meeting. Do not fight except with …

Nahj al-Balagha 1238

If and when you face the enemy stand in the midst of your comrades. Do not get too near the foe like one who wants to co…

Nahj al-Balagha 1239

To two of the officers in his army

Nahj al-Balagha 1240

I have placed Mālik [1] ibn al-Ḥārith al-Ashtar in command over you and over all those under you. Therefore, follow his …