At the time of marching towards Syria

Delivered at the time of marching towards Syria.

Praise is due to Allāh when night spreads and darkens, and praise be to Allāh whenever the star shines and sets. And praise be to Allāh whose bounty never misses and whose favours cannot be repaid.

Well, I have sent forward my vanguard [1] and have ordered them to remain in camp on this bank of the River till my order reaches them. My intention is that I should cross this water over to the small habitation of…

as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: Here by “milṭāṭ” Amīr al-mu’minīn has meant the direction where he had ordered the men to camp and that was the bank of the Euphrates, and “milṭāṭ” is used for the bank of a river although its…