Learning from history, al-Mahdi

It has been related by Nawf al-Bikālī that Amīr al-mu’minīn ‘Alī (p.b.u.h.) delivered this sermon at Kūfah standing on a stone which Ja‘dah ibn Hubayrah al-Makhzūmī had placed for him. Amīr al-mu’minīn had a woollen…

Praise be to Allāh to Whom is the return of all creation and the end of all matters. We render Him praise for the greatness of His generosity, the charity of His proofs, the increase of His bounty and His favours, —…

We seek His help like one who is hopeful of His bounty, desirous of His benefit, and confident of His warding off (calamities), who acknowledges His gifts and is obedient to Him in word and deed. We believe in Him like…

Allāh the Glorified has not been born so that someone could be (His) partner in glory. Nor has He begotten anyone so as to be inherited from after dying. Time and period have not preceded Him. Increase and decrease do…

Among the proofs of His creation is the creation of the skies which are fastened without pillars and stand without support. He called them and they responded obediently and humbly without being lazy or loathsome. If they…

He has made the stars in the skies by way of signs by which travellers wandering the various routes of the earth may be guided. The gloom of the dark curtains of the night does not prevent the flame of their light, nor…

Glory be to Allāh from Whom neither the blackness of dark dusk or of gloomy night (falling) in the low parts of the earth or on high dim mountains is hidden, nor the thundering of clouds on the horizons of the skies, nor…

Praise be to Allāh Who exists from before the coming into existence of the seat, the throne, the sky, the earth, the jinn or human being. He cannot be perceived by imagination nor measured by understanding. He who begs…

O you who exert yourself in describing Allāh if you are serious then (first try to) describe Gabriel, Michael or the host of angels who are close (to Allāh) in the receptacles of sublimity; but their heads are bent…

[An account of past peoples and about learning from them :] I advise you, creatures of Allāh, to practise fear of Allāh Who gave you good clothing and bestowed an abundance of sustenance on you. If there was anyone who…

Where are the Amalekites [1] and the sons of Amalekites? Where are the Pharaohs? [2] Where are the people of the cities of ar-Rass [3] who killed the prophets, destroyed the traditions of the divine messengers and…

[A part of the same sermon about the Imām al-Mahdī :] He will be wearing the armour of wisdom, which he will have secured with all its conditions, such as full attention towards it, its (complete) knowledge and exclusive…

[On the method of his ruling, and grief over the martyrdom of his companions :] Then Amīr al-mu’minīn continued : O people! I have divulged to you advice which the prophets used to preach before their peoples, and I have…

Beware, the things in this world which were forward have become things of the past, and those of which were behind are going ahead. The virtuous people of Allāh have made up their minds to leave and they have purchased,…

Where are my brethren who took the (right) path and trod in rightness. Where is ‘Ammār? [4] Where is Ibn at-Tayyihān? [5] Where is Dhu’sh-Shahādatayn? [6] And where are others like them [7] from among their comrades who…

Then Amīr al-mu’minīn wiped his hand over his auspicious, honoured beard and wept for a long time, then he continued:

Oh! my brothers, who recited the Qur’ān and strengthened it, thought over their obligation and fulfilled it, revived the sunnah and destroyed innovation. When they were called to jihād they responded and trusted in their…

Then Amīr al-mu’minīn shouted at the top of his voice : al jihād, al jihād (fighting, fighting), O creatures of Allāh ! By Allāh, I am mobilizing the army today. He who desires to proceed towards Allāh should come…

Nawf says : Then Amīr al-mu’minīn put Ḥusayn (a.s.) over (a force of) ten thousand, Qays ibn Sa‘d (mercy of Allāh be upon him) over ten thousand, Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī over ten thousand, and others over different numbers,…