Imam Ali - Hekm.co/en

Indeed Allah has commanded me to fight against those who revolt and break pledges and create strife on the earthAs for the defaulters, I have fought them and as for the iniquitous, I have struggled against them and as for the transgressors, I have vanquished themAs for the Satan of the pit, I have dealt with him with an overpowering scream, until I heard the restless beating of his heart and the trembling of his chest

أَلَا وَقَدْ أَمَرَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِقِتَالِ أَهْلِ النَّكْثِ وَالْبَغْيِ وَالْفَسَادِ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَمَّا النَّاكِثُونَ فَقَدْ قَاتَلْتُ وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَقَدْ جَاهَدْتُ وَأَمَّا الْمَارِقَةُ فَقَدْ دَوَّخْتُ وَأَمَّا شَيْطَانُ الرَّدْهَةِ فَإِنِّي كُفِيتُهُ بِصَعْقَةٍ سَمِعْتُ لَهَا وَجِيبَ قَلْبِهِ وَرَجَّةَ صَدْرِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed here (and he pointed towards his chest) there is great knowledge; if only I could get someone who would bear itYes, I do find some who can understand but cannot be relied upon and would use the tools of religion for worldly gain or would dominate the people through the favours of Allah over His servants and through His authority over His friends; or [I find] one who is submissive to those who bear the truth but has no insight or intelligence, misgivings pierce into his heart at the first instance of doubt

إِنَّ هَاهُنَا [وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ‏] لَعِلْماً جَمّاً لَوْ أَصَبْتُ لَهُ حَمَلَةً بَلَى أُصِيبَ لَقِناً غَيْرَ مَأْمُونٍ عَلَيْهِ مُسْتَعْمِلًا آلَةَ الدِّينِ لِلدُّنْيَا أَوْ مُسْتَظْهِراً بِنِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَبِحُجَجِهِ عَلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِ أَوْ مُنْقَاداً لِحَمَلَةِ الْحَقِّ لَا بَصِيرَةَ لَهُ فِي أَحْنَائِهِ يَنْقَدِحُ الشَّكُّ فِي قَلْبِهِ لِأَوَّلِ عَارِضٍ مِنْ شُبْهَةٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am the allotter of hellfire, the treasurer of the gardens [of Paradise], the owner of the pond [of Kawthar] and the holder of the Elevations, and there is no Imam from among us, the household [of the Prophet], except that he knows those who are his sincere friends [and followers], and this is the meaning of the words of the Most High: ‘You are only a warner, and there is a guide for every people’

أَنَا قَسِيمُ النَّارِ وَخَازِنُ الْجِنَانِ وَصَاحِبُ الْحَوْضِ وَصَاحِبُ الْأَعْرَافِ وَلَيْسَ مِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِمَامٌ إِلَّا وَهُوَ عَارِفٌ بِأَهْلِ وَلَايَتِهِ وَذَلِكَ لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى إِنَّما أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هادٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am the brother of the Prophet of Allah, the first to accept Islam, the breaker of the idols, the warrior against the disbelievers and the vanquisher of adversaries

أَنَا صِنْوُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَالسَّابِقُ إِلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَكَاسِرُ الْأَصْنَامِ وَمُجَاهِدُ الْكُفَّارِ وَقَامِعُ الْأَضْدَادِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am the one who turn this world over on its face, gauges it according to its true value and drives it back on its heels

أَنَا كَابُّ الدُّنْيَا لِوَجْهِهَا وَقَادِرُهَا بِقَدْرِهَا وَرَادُّهَا عَلَى عَقِبِهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I will be with the Prophet of Allah, the blessings of Allah be upon him, and with me will be my progeny at the pond (so act upon our words and emulate our actions as we will vie at the pond [of Kawthar]), and we will verily drive away our enemies from it and let our close friends drink from it, and whoever takes a drink from it will never be thirsty after that again

أَنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَمَعِي عِتْرَتِي عَلَى الْحَوْضِ [فَلْيَأْخُذْ أَحَدُكُمْ بِقَوْلِنَا وَلْيَعْمَلْ بِعَمَلِنَا] وَإِنَّا لَنَذُودُ عَنْهُ أَعْدَاءَنَا وَنَسْقِي مِنْهُ أَوْلِيَاءَنَا فَمَنْ شَرِبَ مِنْهُ شَرْبَةً لَمْ يَظْمَأْ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am the leader [ya‘s?b] of the believers and wealth is the leader of the wicked

أَنَا يَعْسُوبُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمَالُ يَعْسُوبُ الْفُجَّارِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I put the chests of the Arab [warriors] on the ground and broke the backs (or the protruding horns) of the tribes of Rabī‘ah and Mu

أَنَا وَضَعْتُ بِكَلْكَلِ [صُدُورِ] الْعَرَبِ وَكَسَرْتُ نَوَاجِمَ رَبِيعَةَ وَمُضَرَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am free to choose with regards to the one upon whom I have not bestowed any favour but am bound to complete my favour on the one upon whom I have bestowed it; for if I complete it, I will have preserved it and if I cut it off then I will have lost it, and if I lose it then why did I embark on it [in the first place]?

أَنَا مُخَيَّرٌ فِي الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَى مَنْ لَمْ أُحْسِنْ إِلَيْهِ وَمُرْتَهَنٌ بِإِتْمَامِ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَى مَنْ أَحْسَنْتُ إِلَيْهِ لِأَنِّي إِذَا أَتْمَمْتُهُ فَقَدْ حَفِظْتُهُ وَإِذَا قَطَعْتُهُ فَقَدْ أَضَعْتُهُ وَإِذَا أَضَعْتُهُ فَلِمَ فَعَلْتُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am more capable of turning away that which I haven’t spoken than I am of taking back that which I have said

أَنَا عَلَى رَدِّ مَا لَمْ أَقُلْ أَقْدَرُ مِنِّي عَلَى رَدِّ مَا قُلْتُهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am a witness for you [if you follow me] and a plaintiff against you [if you disobey me] on the Day of Judgment

أَنَا شَاهِدٌ لَكُمْ وَحَجِيجُ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَيْكُمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am your inviter towards the obedience of your Lord, your mentor to performing your religious obligations and your guide to that which will save you

أَنَا دَاعِيكُمْ إِلَى طَاعَةِ رَبِّكُمْ وَمُرْشِدُكُمْ إِلَى فَرَائِضِ دِينِكُمْ وَدَلِيلُكُمْ إِلَى مَا يُنْجِيكُمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am the representative of the Prophet of Allah among you, and the one who will keep you within the boundaries of your religion, and the one who calls you towards the Garden of the Abode

أَنَا خَلِيفَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فِيكُمْ وَمُقِيمُكُمْ عَلَى حُدُودِ دِينِكُمْ وَدَاعِيكُمْ إِلَى جَنَّةِ الْمَأْوَى

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I am standing on a manifest proof from my Lord, insight in my religion and certitude in my affair

إِنِّي لَعَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّي وَبَصِيرَةٍ مِنْ دِينِي وَيَقِينٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I am upon complete certitude from my Lord and do not have any doubt about my religion

إِنِّي لَعَلَى يَقِينٍ مِنْ رَبِّي وَغَيْرِ شُبْهَةٍ فِي دِينِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I am fighting against my hopes and waiting for my death

إِنِّي مُحَارِبٌ أَمَلِي وَمُنْتَظِرٌ أَجَلِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed I will complete my sustenance, and struggle with my [lower] self and will end with my [allotted] portion

إِنِّي مُسْتَوْفٍ رِزْقِي وَمُجَاهِدٌ نَفْسِي وَمُنْتَهٍ إِلَى قِسْمِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I am on the highway of truth and they are surely on the erroneous path of falsehood

إِنِّي لَعَلَى جَادَّةِ الْحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَعَلَى مَزَلَّةِ [مَنْزِلَةِ] الْبَاطِلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily it is for the establishment of the proofs of Allah that I argue and it is in order to support His religion that I struggle and fight

إِنِّي لَعَلَى إِقَامَةِ حُجَجِ اللَّهِ أُقَاوِلُ وَعَلَى نُصْرَةِ دِينِهِ أُجَاهِدُ وَأُقَاتِلُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed I raise myself such that there should be no need that my generosity cannot encompass, nor any ignorance that cannot be encompassed by my forbearance, nor any wrongdoing that my forgiveness cannot encompass, nor should there be a time that is longer than my time [spent in worship and righteous actions]

إِنِّي لَأَرْفَعُ نَفْسِي أَنْ تَكُونَ حَاجَةٌ لَا يَسَعُهَا جُودِي أَوْ جَهْلٌ لَا يَسَعُهُ حِلْمِي أَوْ ذَنْبٌ لَا يَسَعُهُ عَفْوِي أَوْ أَنْ يَكُونَ زَمَانٌ أَطْوَلَ مِنْ زَمَانِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whenever I would ask the Prophet of Allah (s), he would give to me and when I was silent and did not ask, he would be the one to initiate [the matter] with me

إِنِّي كُنْتُ إِذَا سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَعْطَانِي وَإِذَا سَكَتُّ عَنْ مَسْأَلَتِهِ ابْتَدَأَنِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I deem myself higher than that I should forbid people from that which I do not forbid myself, or enjoin them towards that which I have not preceded them in performing, or that I should be pleased with their actions which my Lord is not pleased with

إِنِّي لَأَرْفَعُ نَفْسِي أَنْ أَنْهَى النَّاسَ عَمَّا لَسْتُ أَنْتَهِي عَنْهُ أَوْ آمُرَهُمْ بِمَا لَا أَسْبِقُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ بِعَمَلِي أَوْ أَرْضَى مِنْهُمْ بِمَا لَا يَرْضَى رَبِّي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I do not urge you to any obedience but that I practice it before you, and I do not forbid you from any disobedience except that I desist from it before you

إِنِّي لَا أَحُثُّكُمْ عَلَى طَاعَةٍ إِلَّا وَأَسْبِقُكُمْ إِلَيْهَا وَلَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْ مَعْصِيَةٍ إِلَّا وَأَتَنَاهَى قَبْلَكُمْ عَنْهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily I have divorced this world thrice uncompromisingly, [such that] there is no return to it for me, and I have released it completely

إِنِّي طَلَّقْتُ الدُّنْيَا ثَلَاثاً بَتَاتاً لَا رَجْعَةَ لِي فِيهَا وَأَلْقَيْتُ حَبْلَهَا عَلَى غَارِبِهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The example of my presence among you is only like a lamp in the darkness, he who enters upon it receives its light

إِنَّمَا مَثَلِي بَيْنَكُمْ كَالسِّرَاجِ فِي الظُّلْمَةِ يَسْتَضِي‏ءُ بِهَا مَنْ وَلَجَهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Ask me [about what you need to know] before you lose me, for verily I am more aware of the ways of the heavens than you are of the ways of the earth

سَلُونِي قَبْلَ أَنْ تَفْقِدُونِي فَإِنِّي بِطُرُقِ السَّمَاءِ أَخْبَرُ مِنْكُمْ بِطُرُقِ الْأَرْضِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Ask me before you lose me, for by Allah, there is no verse in the Qur’an but that I know about whom it was revealed and where it was revealed, in the plains or on the mountains, and indeed my Lord has gifted me with an intelligent heart and an eloquent tongue

سَلُونِي قَبْلَ أَنْ تَفْقِدُونِي فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا فِي الْقُرْآنِ آيَةٌ إِلَّا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ فِيمَنْ نَزَلَتْ فِي سَهْلٍ أَوْ فِي جَبَلٍ وَإِنَّ رَبِّي وَهَبَ لِي قَلْباً عَقُولًا وَلِسَاناً نَاطِقاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Whenever I would ask the Prophet of Allah (s), he would give to me and when I was silent and did not ask, he would be the one to initiate [the matter] with me

كُنْتُ إِذَا سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَعْطَانِي وَإِذَا أَمْسَكْتُ [سَكَتُ‏] ابْتَدَأَنِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have patched this shirt of mine so much that I am now ashamed of [taking it again to] the tailorSomeone asked me: Will you not discard it? I replied: Get away from me! Only at dawn do people speak highly of the [arduous] night journey

لَقَدْ رَقَعْتُ مِدْرَعَتِي هَذِهِ حَتَّى اسْتَحْيَيْتُ مِنْ رَاقِعِهَا فَقَالَ لِي قَائِلٌ أَ لَا تَنْبِذُهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اعْزُبْ [اغْرُبْ‏] عَنِّي عَلَى الصَّبَاحِ [فَعِنْدَ الصَّبَاحِ‏] يَحْمَدُ الْقَوْمُ السُّرَى

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I am not, nor have I ever been, intimidated by battle or frightened of being struck [by swords]

لَقَدْ كُنْتُ وَمَا أُهَدَّدُ بِالْحَرْبِ وَلَا أُرَهَّبُ بِالضَّرْبِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If the veils were removed, my certitude would not increase

لَوْ كُشِفَ الْغِطَاءُ مَا ازْدَدْتُ يَقِيناً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If my feet were to rest firmly on these slippery areas, I would surely change [many] things

لَوِ اسْتَوَتْ قَدَمَايَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَدَاحِضِ لَغَيَّرْتُ أَشْيَاءَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If I wished to inform every man from among you of where he has come from and where he is going to and about all his affairs, I would do so, but I fear that you will take me and abandon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon himHowever, I will convey it to the selected ones who are safe from that [fear]By the One who sent him with truth and chose him above the creation, I do not speak save the truthHe (the Prophet) has informed me about all this and about the destruction of those who are destroyed and the salvation of those who are saved (and the consequences of this matter [of the caliphate])He left nothing that I would encounter except that he put it into my ear and informed me about it

لَوْ شِئْتُ أَنْ أُخْبِرَ كُلَّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ بِمَخْرَجِهِ وَمَوْلِجِهِ وَجَمِيعِ شَأْنِهِ لَفَعَلْتُ لَكِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَكْفُرُوا فِيَّ بِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَّا أَنِّي مُفْضِيهِ إِلَى الْخَاصَّةِ مِمَّنْ يُؤْمَنُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ وَالَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ وَاصْطَفَاهُ عَلَى‏ الْخَلْقِ مَا أَنْطِقُ إِلَّا صَادِقاً وَلَقَدْ عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ بِذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ وَبِمَهْلِكِ مَنْ يَهْلِكُ وَبِمَنْجَى مَنْ يَنْجُو وَمَا أَبْقَى شَيْئاً يَمُرُّ عَلَى رَأْسِي إِلَّا أَفْرَغَهُ فِي أُذُنِيَّ وَأَفْضَى بِهِ إِلَيَّ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have never lied nor have I been accused of lying

مَا كَذَبْتُ [أكذبت‏] وَلَا كُذِّبْتُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have never rejected Allah from the time that I came to know Him

مَا أَنْكَرْتُ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى مُنْذُ عَرَفْتُهُ [عرف‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have never doubted in the truth since the time it was shown to me

مَا شَكَكْتُ فِي الْحَقِّ مُنْذُ أُرِيتُهُ [رَأَيْتُهُ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have never strayed [from the right path] nor has anyone gone astray because of me

مَا ضَلَلْتُ وَلَا ضُلَّ بِي

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

No verse [of the Qur’an] was revealed but that I knew the occasion of its revelation and where it was revealed, [whether] in daytime or night, on a mountain or a plain; and my Lord has gifted me with an intelligent heart and an eloquent tongue

مَا نَزَلَتْ آيَةٌ إِلَّا وَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ فِيمَا نَزَلَتْ وَأَيْنَ نَزَلَتْ فِي نَهَارٍ أَوْ فِي لَيْلٍ فِي جَبَلٍ أَوْ سَهْلٍ وَإِنَّ رَبِّي وَهَبَ لِي قَلْباً عَقُولًا وَلِسَاناً قَئُولًا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I have never slept with a promise I made to someone that had remained unfulfilled, thereby causing him to toss and turn restlessly in his bed so that he could successfully get what he needs [from me in the morning] but that my restlessness on my bed was much greater as a result of my desperation to meet him and fulfil the debt of his promise and out of fear of a hindrance that could cause its reneging, for indeed reneging on a promise is not from the characteristics of the honourable

مَا بَاتَ لِرَجُلٍ عِنْدِي مَوْعِدٌ قَطُّ فَبَاتَ يَتَمَلْمَلُ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ لِيَغْدُوَ بِالظَّفَرِ بِحَاجَتِهِ أَشَدَّ مِنْ تَمَلْمُلِي عَلَى فِرَاشِي حِرْصاً عَلَى الْخُرُوجِ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ دَيْنِ عِدَتِهِ وَخَوْفاً مِنْ عَائِقٍ يُوجِبُ الْخُلْفَ فَإِنَّ خُلْفَ الْوَعْدِ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ الْكِرَامِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed this world and the Hereafter are two unequal enemies and two separate ways, so whoever loves this world and befriends it, hates the Hereafter and takes it as an enemyThey are like the East and the West and one who walks between the two, such that whenever he comes closer to one [direction], he distances himself from the otherAfter all, they are both like fellow-wives [seeking to pull their husband only towards themselves]

وَسُئِلَ ع عَنْ مَسَافَةِ مَا بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ فَقَالَ مَسِيرُ يَوْمٍ لِلشَّمْسِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

We have established the pillar of truth and vanquished the forces of falsehood

نَحْنُ أَقَمْنَا عَمُودَ الْحَقِّ وَهَزَمْنَا جُيُوشَ الْبَاطِلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

We ask Allah, the Glorified, for the completion of His favours [upon us] and for the ability to hold on to His rope

نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ لِمِنَّتِهِ تَمَاماً وَبِحَبْلِهِ اعْتِصَاماً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Far be it! If there was no command of piety, I would have been the most cunning of all the Arabs

هَيْهَاتَ لَوْ لَا التُّقَى لَكُنْتُ أَدْهَى الْعَرَبِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How strange it is that the succession [to the Prophet] is [decided] by companionship [only] and not by companionship and kinship

وَا عَجَبَا أَنْ تَكُونَ الْخِلَافَةُ بِالصَّحَابَةِ وَلَا تَكُونُ بِالصَّحَابَةِ وَالْقَرَابَةِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By Allah! I have never hidden a single word nor have I ever spoken a lie

وَاللَّهِ مَا كَتَمْتُ وَشْمَةً وَلَا كَذَبْتُ كَذْبَةً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By Allah! I do not hate the sudden coming of death to me, nor is it an event that I rejectI am but like a traveller who has come to his destination or a seeker who finds what he is looking for

وَاللَّهِ مَا فَجَعَنِي مِنَ الْمَوْتِ وَارِدٌ كَرِهْتُهُ وَلَا طَالِعٌ أَنْكَرْتُهُ وَمَا كُنْتُ إِلَّا كَغَارِبٍ وَرَدَ أَوْ طَالِبٍ وَجَدَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By Allah! If I were to spend a sleepless night on the thorns of al-Sa‘d?n or be driven shackled in chains as a prisoner, it would be more acceptable to me than meeting Allah and His Prophet as an oppressor over any [of His] servants, or a usurper of any worldly possessionsAnd how can I oppress for the sake of the body which is fast moving towards destruction and is going to spend a long time [buried] in the earth?

وَاللَّهِ لَأَنْ أَبِيتَ عَلَى حَسَكِ السَّعْدَانِ مُسَهَّداً وَأُجَرَّ فِي الْأَغْلَالِ مُصَفَّداً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَلْقَى اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ظَالِماً لِبَعْضِ الْعِبَادِ أَوْ غَاصِباً لِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الْحُطَامِ وَكَيْفَ أَظْلِمُ لِنَفْسٍ يُسْرِعُ إِلَى الْبِلَى قُفُولُهَا وَيَطُولُ فِي الثَّرَى حُلُولُهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed the protectors of the religion of Allah are the only ones who establish the religion, support it, surround it from all sides and protect it for the servants of Allah and safeguard it

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمَ الْمُسْتَحْفَظُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَنَّنِي لَمْ أَرُدَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَلَا عَلَى رَسُولِهِ سَاعَةً قَطُّ وَلَقَدْ وَاسَيْتُهُ بِنَفْسِي فِي الْمَوَاطِنِ الَّتِي تَنْكُصُ فِيهَا الْأَبْطَالُ وَتَتَأَخَّرُ عَنْهَا الْأَقْدَامُ نَجْدَةً أَكْرَمَنِي اللَّهُ بِهَا وَلَقَدْ بَذَلْتُ فِي طَاعَتِهِ ص جُهْدِي وَجَاهَدْتُ أَعْدَاءَهُ بِكُلِّ طَاقَتِي وَوَقَيْتُهُ بِنَفْسِي وَلَقَدْ أَفْضَى إِلَيَّ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ بِمَا لَمْ يُفْضِ بِهِ إِلَى أَحَدٍ غَيْرِي وَلَقَدْ قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَإِنَّ رَأْسَهُ عَلَى صَدْرِي وَلَقَدْ سَالَتْ نَفْسُهُ فِي كَفِّي فَأَمْرَرْتُهَا عَلَى وَجْهِي وَلَقَدْ وَلِيتُ غُسْلَهُ ص وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ أَعْوَانِي فَضَجَّتِ الدَّارُ وَالْأَفْنِيَةُ مَلَأٌ يَهْبِطُ وَمَلَأٌ يَعْرُجُ وَمَا فَارَقَتْ سَمْعِي هَيْنَمَةٌ مِنْهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى وَارَيْنَاهُ ص فِي ضَرِيحِهِ فَمَنْ ذَا أَحَقُّ بِهِ مِنِّي حَيّاً وَمَيِّتاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By the one who splits the seed and creates the human being! They did not accept Islam, rather they succumbed to it [to remain safe] and hid their disbelief; and when they found supporters for it, they brought forth in the open that which they had hidden and made manifest that which they had concealed

وَالَّذِي فَلَقَ الْحَبَّةَ وَبَرَأَ النَّسَمَةَ لَوْ لَا حُضُورُ الْحَاضِرِ وَقِيَامُ الْحُجَّةِ بِوُجُودِ النَّاصِرِ وَمَا أَخَذَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ عَلَى الْعُلَمَاءِ أَنْ لَا يُقَارُّوا عَلَى كِظَّةِ ظَالِمٍ وَلَا سَغَبِ مَظْلُومٍ لَأَلْقَيْتُ حَبْلَهَا عَلَى غَارِبِهَا وَلَسَقَيْتُ آخِرَهَا بِكَأْسِ أَوَّلِهَا وَلَأَلْفَيْتُمْ دُنْيَاكُمْ هَذِهِ عِنْدِي أَزْهَدَ مِنْ عَفْطَةِ عَنْزٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Time has indeed come full circle to its [initial] state, as it was when the heavens and earth were first created

قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ الزَّمَانُ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خُلِقَ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The riser has risen, the dazzler has dazzled, the apparent has appeared and the crooked has been straightened

قَدْ طَلَعَ طَالِعٌ وَلَمَعَ لَامِعٌ وَلَاحَ لَائِحٌ وَاعْتَدَلَ مَائِلٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

I had, in the past, a brother-in-faith and his view of the world as something insignificant made him great in my eyesHe was above being controlled by the needs of his appetency and thus he never craved for what he could not get nor would he ask for more of what he gotHe was silent most of the time but when he spoke, he silenced the other speakers and quenched the thirst [for answers] of questionersHe was [apparently] weak and feeble but at the time of battle he was like the lion of the forest or the serpent of the valleyHe would not put forth an argument unless it was decisiveHe would not accuse anyone in an excusable matter until he had heard his excuseHe would not mention any suffering except after recovering from itHe would do as he says and not say that which he does not do [himself]Even when (or if) he could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silenceHe was more eager to listen than he was to speakWhen two things came before him, he would see which of the two was closer to vain desire and would oppose itYou should [all] adopt these qualities, thus acquire them and compete with each other in themAnd if you cannot acquire them, you should know that acquiring a little is better than giving up plenty

كَانَ لِي فِيمَا مَضَى أَخٌ فِي اللَّهِ وَكَانَ يُعْظِمُهُ فِي عَيْنِي صِغَرُ الدُّنْيَا فِي عَيْنِهِ وَكَانَ خَارِجاً عَنْ سُلْطَانِ بَطْنِهِ فَلَا يَشْتَهِي مَا لَا يَجِدُ وَلَا يُكْثِرُ إِذَا وَجَدَ وَكَانَ أَكْثَرَ دَهْرِهِ صَامِتاً فَإِنْ قَالَ بَذَّ الْقَائِلِينَ وَنَقَعَ غَلِيلَ السَّائِلِينَ وَكَانَ ضَعِيفاً مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَإِنْ جَاءَ الْجِدُّ فَهُوَ لَيْثُ عَادٍ وَصِلُّ وَادٍ لَا يُدْلِي بِحُجَّةٍ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ قَاضِياً وَكَانَ لَا يَلُومُ أَحَداً عَلَى مَا لَا يَجِدُ الْعُذْرَ فِي مِثْلِهِ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ اعْتِذَارَهُ وَكَانَ لَا يَشْكُو وَجَعاً إِلَّا عِنْدَ بُرْئِهِ وَكَانَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَقُولُ وَلَا يَقُولُ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُ وَكَانَ إِذَا غُلِبَ عَلَى الْكَلَامِ لَمْ يُغْلَبْ عَلَى السُّكُوتِ وَكَانَ عَلَى أَنْ يَسْمَعَ أَحْرَصَ مِنْهُ عَلَى أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ وَكَانَ إِذَا بَدَهَهُ أَمْرَانِ نَظَرَ أَيُّهُمَا أَقْرَبُ إِلَى الْهَوَى فَخَالَفَهُ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذِهِ الْخَلَائِقِ فَالْزَمُوهَا وَتَنَافَسُوا فِيهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِيعُوا فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَخْذَ الْقَلِيلِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ تَرْكِ الْكَثِيرِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about al-Ashtar al-Nakha‘ī when he was informed about his death (may Allah have mercy upon him): If he was a mountain, he would have been a great one, no hoofed animal would have reached its peak and no bird would have been able to fly over i

وَقَالَ ع فِي حَقِّ الْأَشْتَرِ النَّخَعِيِّ لَمَّا بَلَغَهُ وَفَاتُهُ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ جَبَلًا لَكَانَ فِنْداً لَا يَرْتَقِيهِ الْحَافِرُ وَلَا يُوفِي عَلَيْهِ الطَّائِرُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about al-Ashtar al-Nakha‘ī: He is the sword of Allah that does not fail to strike and is not blunt in its edge; he is not impressed by any innovations nor is he led astray by misguidance [and temptation].

وَقَالَ ع فِي مَدْحِ مَالِكٍ الْأَشْتَرِ هُوَ سَيْفُ اللَّهِ لَا يَنْبُو عَنِ الضَّرْبِ وَلَا كَلِيلُ الْحَدِّ وَلَا تَسْتَهْوِيهِ بِدْعَةٌ وَلَا تَتِيهُ بِهِ غَوَايَةٌ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he praised: He has not been killed by the lethal poisons of delusion and has not been covered (or overcome) by the uncertainties of matters

وَقَالَ ع فِي حَقِّ مَنْ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ لَمْ يَقْتُلْهُ قَاتِلَاتُ الْغُرُورِ وَلَمْ تَغُمَّ عَلَيْهِ مُشْتَبِهَاتُ الْأُمُورِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Knowledge has led them to real understanding and they have acquired the spirit of convictionThey take easy what the easygoing regard as hardThey are comfortable with that which the ignorant are repelled byThey live in this world with their bodies but their spirits are in the higher realmThey are the vicegerents of Allah on His earth and the callers to His religionAh, ah! How I yearn to see them

قَالَ ع فِي حَقِّ مَنْ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِمْ هَجَمَ بِهِمُ الْعِلْمُ عَلَى حَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَبَاشَرُوا رُوحَ الْيَقِينِ فَاسْتَسْهَلُوا مَا اسْتَوْعَرَ الْمُتْرَفُونَ وَأَنِسُوا بِمَا اسْتَوْحَشَ مِنْهُ الْجَاهِلُونَ وَصَحِبُوا الدُّنْيَا بِأَبْدَانٍ أَرْوَاحُهَا مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْمَحَلِّ الْأَعْلَى أُولَئِكَ خُلَفَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَالدُّعَاةُ إِلَى دِينِهِ آهِ آهِ شَوْقاً إِلَى رُؤْيَتِهِمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he praised: He is the unfolder [and clarifier] of the obscure, the guide in vast deserts and the repeller of complex difficulties

فَتَّاحُ مُبْهَمَاتٍ دَلِيلُ فَلَوَاتٍ دَفَّاعُ مُعْضَلَاتٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about those whom he praised: When they speak, they are truthful and when they are silent, they are not surpassed

إِنْ تَكَلَّمُوا ذُكِرُوا وَإِنْ سَكَتُوا تَفَكَّرُوا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about those whom he praised: When they look, they take lesson and when they turn away, they are not distracted

إِنْ نَظَرُوا اعْتَبَرُوا وَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا لَمْ يَلْهُوا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Aba Dharr! Indeed you got angry for the sake of Allah so have hope in the One whom you got angry forIndeed the people feared you in the matter of their world while you feared them for your faithThen leave to them that for which they are afraid of you and get away from them with that which you feared them forHow needy they are for that which you dissuade them from and how needless you are of that which they deny youEven if the skies and the earth were closed to an individual and [then] he feared Allah, Allah would most certainly open a way for him in themSo let nothing give you comfort but the truth and let nothing distress you except falsehoodIf you would have accepted their world [and its attractions] they would have loved you, and if you had shared in it they would have given you asylum

يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِنَّكَ إِنْ غَضِبْتَ لِلَّهِ فَارْجُ مَنْ غَضِبْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ خَافُوكَ عَلَى دُنْيَاهُمْ وَخِفْتَهُمْ عَلَى دِينِكَ فَاتْرُكْ فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ مَا خَافُوكَ عَلَيْهِ وَاهْرُبْ مِنْهُمْ بِمَا خِفْتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ فَمَا أَحْوَجَهُمْ إِلَى مَا مَنَعْتَهُمْ وَمَا أَغْنَاكَ عَمَّا مَنَعُوكَ وَلَوْ أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا عَلَى عَبْدٍ رَتْقاً ثُمَّ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ لَجَعَلَ لَهُ مِنْهُمَا مَخْرَجاً فَلَا يُؤْنِسَنَّكَ إِلَّا الْحَقُّ وَلَا يُوحِشَنَّكَ إِلَّا الْبَاطِلُ فَلَوْ قَبِلْتَ دُنْيَاهُمْ لَأَحَبُّوكَ وَلَوْ قَرَضْتَ مِنْهَا لَأَمَّنُوكَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

And he (‘a) said about the one whom he dispraised: He is a dim-sighted person who frequently embarks on obscurities, an ignorant person who frequently embarks on unintelligent arguments, an aggressor against his own soul and an embellisher of traversing the path of the impossible and vain trivialities for it

قَالَ فِي حَقِّ مَنْ ذَمَّهُ عَاشٍ رَكَّابُ عَشَوَاتٍ جَاهِلٌ رَكَّابُ جَهَالاتٍ عَادٍ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ مُزَيِّنٌ لَهَا سُلُوكَ الْمَحَالاتِ وَبَاطِلَ التُّرَّهَاتِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

So his appearance is [in] the form of a human being but his heart is the heart of a beast

فَالصُّورَةُ صُورَةُ إِنْسَانٍ وَالْقَلْبُ قَلْبُ حَيَوَانٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

From them mischief will spring up and all wrong will turn towards themThey will fling anyone who isolates himself from it (iethe mischief) back into it and they will drive anyone who stays back from it towards it

مِنْهُمْ تَخْرُجُ الْفِتْنَةُ وَإِلَيْهِمْ تَأْوِي الْخَطِيئَةُ يَرُدُّونَ مَنْ شَذَّ عَنْهَا فِيهَا وَيَسُوقُونَ مَنْ تَأَخَّرَ عَنْهَا إِلَيْهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He is drawing in large buckets [from the well] of his vain desire and exerting a lot of efforts for his worldly life

مَاتِحاً فِي غَرْبِ هَوَاهُ كَادِحاً سَعْياً لِدُنْيَاهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

You have forgotten what you were reminded of and felt safe from that which you were warned about, so your opinion has gone astray and your affair has dispersed

نَسِيتُمْ مَا ذُكِّرْتُمْ وَأَمِنْتُمْ مَا حُذِّرْتُمْ فَتَاهَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَأْيُكُمْ وَتَشَتَّتَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَمْرُكُمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

While recalling the [rule of the] Umayyads (he said): It is the spittle from the deliciousness of [this temporary] life; they [shall] taste it for a short while and then spit it all out

قَالَ فِي وَصْفِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ هِيَ مُجَاجَةٌ فِي لَذِيذِ الْعَيْشِ يَتَطَعَّمُونَهَا بُرْهَةً وَيَلْفَظُونَهَا جُمْلَةً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Every disobedient one is a sinner

هَيْهَاتَ مَا تَنَاكَرْتُمْ إِلَّا لِمَا قَبْلَكُمْ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا وَالذُّنُوبِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he was rebuking: He is bold in his words but falls short in his actionsHe rebukes others but flatters himselfHe has been given respite by Allah along with the heedless onesHe leaves in the morning in the company of sinners without a [straight] path to follow or a leader to [act as a] guide, without any clear knowledge or strong faithHe fears death but does not fear loss [of opportunity to do good deeds for his Hereafter]

هُوَ بِالْقَوْلِ مُدِلٌّ وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مُقِلٌّ وَعَلَى النَّاسِ طَاعِنٌ وَلِنَفْسِهِ مُدَاهِنٌ هُوَ فِي مُهْلَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ يَهْوِي مَعَ الْغَافِلِينَ وَيَغْدُو مَعَ الْمُذْنِبِينَ بِلَا سَبِيلٍ قَاصِدٍ وَلَا إِمَامٍ قَائِدٍ وَلَا عِلْمٍ مُبِينٍ وَلَا دِينٍ مَتِينٍ هُوَ يَخْشَى الْمَوْتَ وَلَا يَخَافُ الْفَوْتَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

By Allah, no one hinders the security of the peaceful or takes away the rights of the people except the disbelieving infidel and the duplicitous apostate

وَاللَّهِ مَا مَنَعَ الْأَمْنَ أَهْلَهُ وَأَزَاحَ الْحَقَّ عَنْ مُسْتَحِقِّهِ إِلَّا كُلُّ كَافِرٍ جَاحِدٍ وَمُنَافِقٍ مُلْحِدٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

وَالَّذِي فَلَقَ الْحَبَّةَ وَبَرَأَ النَّسَمَةَ مَا أَسْلَمُوا وَلَكِنِ اسْتَسْلَمُوا وَأَسَرُّوا الْكُفْرَ فَلَمَّا وَجَدُوا أَعْوَاناً عَلَيْهِ أَعْلَنُوا مَا كَانُوا أَسَرُّوا وَأَظْهَرُوا مَا كَانُوا أَبْطَنُوا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He (‘a) said about the one whom he censured: He does not anticipate any misfortune and does not humble himself in pietyHe does not know the door of guidance so as to go towards it, nor [does he know] the door of perdition so as to turn away from it

لَا يَحْتَسِبُ رَزِيَّةً وَلَا يَخْشَعُ تَقِيَّةً لَا يَعْرِفُ بَابَ الْهُدَى فَيَتَّبِعَهُ وَلَا بَابَ الرَّدَى فَيَصُدَّ عَنْهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

He loves to be obeyed while he disobeys and to be given his full share while he does not give others their duesHe loves to be described as generous while he does not give [anything to the needy] and to seek from others what is due to him while not letting others ask for their rights from him

يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُطَاعَ وَيَعْصِي وَيَسْتَوْفِي وَلَا يُوفِي يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُوصَفَ بِالسَّخَاءِ وَلَا يُعْطِي وَيَقْتَضِي وَلَا يُقْتَضَى

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Destroyed is the one who makes a [wrongful] claim, and unsuccessful is the one who fabricates [a lie]

هَلَكَ مَنِ ادَّعَى وَخابَ مَنِ افْتَرى‏

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Allah, spare our lives and their lives, restore the ties between us and them, rescue them [and guide them] from their misguidance, until those who are ignorant of the truth may recognize it and those are persistent in sinning and disloyalty [and in their enmity towards us] may desist from it

اللَّهُمَّ احْقِنْ دِمَاءَنَا وَدِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَصْلِحْ ذَاتَ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ وَأَنْقِذْهُمْ [اهْدِهِمْ‏] مِنْ ضَلَالَتِهِمْ حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ الْحَقَّ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَيَرْعَوِيَ عَنِ الْغَيِّ وَالْغَدْرِ مَنْ لَهِجَ بِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily this world has elapsed and is on the verge of expiry; its good has been shunned, its novelty has become old and its fat has become lean

أَلَا وَإِنَّ الدُّنْيَا قَدْ تَصَرَّمَتْ وَآذَنَتْ بِانْقِضَاءٍ وَتَنَكَّرَ مَعْرُوفُهَا وَصَارَ جَدِيدُهَا رَثّاً وَسَمِينُهَا غَثّاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

If the people who came before me complained about the injustice of their rulers, then today I complain about the injustice of my people; it is as if I am led and they are the leaders, [and] I am restrained and they are the restrainers

إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعَايَا قَبْلِي تَشْكُوا حَيْفَ رُعَاتِهَا فَإِنِّي الْيَوْمَ أَشْكُو حَيْفَ رَعِيَّتِي كَأَنِّي الْمَقُودُ وَهُمُ الْقَادَةُ وَالموزع [الْمَوْزُوعُ وَهُمُ الْوَزَعَةُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

It was said to him (‘a): Verily nothing can reform the people of Kufa except the swordTo this he (‘a) replied: If nothing but my destruction reforms them then may Allah not reform them!

إِنْ لَمْ يُصْلِحْهُمْ إِلَّا إِفْسَادِي فَلَا أَصْلَحَهُمُ اللَّهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Verily you are [living] in an age when those who speak about the truth are few, and tongues are weary of uttering the truth, and those who stick to the truth are humiliatedThe people of this time are engaged in disobedience and make peace with each other upon treachery [and deceit]Their youths are violent [and wicked] while their elders are sinfulTheir scholars are hypocrites and their speakers are deviantsTheir young do not respect the elderly and their rich do not support the poor

إِنَّكُمْ فِي زَمَانٍ الْقَائِلُ بِالْحَقِّ قَلِيلٌ وَاللِّسَانُ فِيهِ عَنِ الصِّدْقِ كَلِيلٌ وَاللَّازِمُ فِيهِ لِلْحَقِّ ذَلِيلٌ أَهْلُهُ مُتَعَكِّفُونَ عَلَى الْعِصْيَانِ مُصْطَلِحُونَ عَلَى الْإِدْهَانِ فَتَاهُمْ عَارِمٌ وَشَيْخُهُمْ آثِمٌ وَعَامِلُهُمْ مُنَافِقٌ وَقَارِيهِمْ مُمَارِقٌ [مُمَازِقٌ‏] لَا يُعَظِّمُ صَغِيرُهُمْ كَبِيرَهُمْ وَلَا يَعُولُ غَنِيُّهُمْ فَقِيرَهُمْ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

How amazing it is; and why would I not be amazed by the mistake of this community (or these groups) with their different arguments with regards to their religionThey neither follow the footsteps of the Prophet nor do they emulate the actions of the vicegerentThey do not believe in the unseen and do not restrain themselves from [sins and] shortcomingsThey act on uncertainties and tread in [the way of] their passionsFor them good is whatever they [like and] consider good and evil is whatever they [dislike and] consider evilTheir reliance for resolving problems is on themselves and their confidence in regard to dubious matters is on their own opinions, as if each one of them is his own leader, even though he has formed his opinion without turning to reliable sources and strong proofs

فَيَا عَجَبَا وَمَا لِي لَا أَعْجَبُ مِنْ خَطَإِ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ عَلَى اخْتِلَافِ حُجَجِهَا فِي دِيَانَاتِهَا لَا يَقْتَصُّونَ أَثَرَ نَبِيٍّ وَلَا يَقْتَدُونَ بِعَمَلِ وَصِيٍّ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِغَيْبٍ وَلَا يَعْفُونَ عَنْ عَيْبٍ يَعْمَلُونَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ وَيَسِيرُونَ فِي الشَّهَوَاتِ الْمَعْرُوفُ فِيهِمْ مَا عَرَفُوا وَالْمُنْكَرُ عِنْدَهُمْ مَا أَنْكَرُوا مَفْزَعُهُمْ فِي الْمُعْضِلَاتِ إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَتَعْوِيلُهُمْ فِي الْمُبْهَمَاتِ عَلَى آرَائِهِمْ [رَأْيِهِمْ‏] كَأَنَّ كُلًّا مِنْهُمْ إِمَامُ نَفْسِهِ قَدْ أَخَذَ فِيمَا يَرَى بِغَيْرِ وَثِيقَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ وَلَا أَسْبَابٍ مُحْكَمَاتٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Your intellects have decreased and your judgments have become fatuousYou are thus targets for the archer, morsels for the eater and easy prey for the hunter

خَفَّتْ عُقُولُكُمْ وَسَفِهَتْ حُلُومُكُمْ فَأَنْتُمْ غَرَضٌ لِنَابِلٍ وَأُكْلَةٌ لِآكِلٍ وَفَرِيسَةٌ لِصَائِلٍ [وَ فَرِيسَةُ الصَّائِلِ‏]

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

[About the ones who did not participate in the battle]: They forsook the truth and did not assist the falsehood

خَذَلُوا الْحَقَّ وَلَمْ يَنْصُرُوا الْبَاطِلَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

So the hearts are heedless of right guidance, too hard to accept their [good] fortune, traversing on the wrong paths as though the one being addressed is someone else, and as though the fortune lies in amassing worldly gains

فَالْقُلُوبُ لَاهِيَةٌ مِنْ رُشْدِهَا قَاسِيَةٌ عَنْ حَظِّهَا سَالِكَةٌ فِي غَيْرِ مِضْمَارِهَا كَأَنَّ الْمَعْنِيَّ سِوَاهَا وَكَأَنَّ الْحَظَّ فِي إِحْرَازِ دُنْيَاهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed, you have again reverted to the position of the Bedouin Arabs after migration [to Islam] and have become [divided into] different parties after once being closely united

قَدْ صِرْتُمْ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ أَعْرَاباً وَبَعْدَ الْمُوَالاةِ أَحْزَاباً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed you have become devoted to one another in the love of this transient world and the rejection of the Hereafter

قَدْ تَصَافَيْتُمْ عَلَى حُبِّ الْعَاجِلِ وَرَفْضِ الْآجِلِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed those who [would] remember and remind [the people about Allah] have left you and only those who forget [Allah and the Day of Resurrection] and cause others to forget have remained behind

قَدْ ذَهَبَ مِنْكُمُ الذَّاكِرُونَ وَالْمُتَذَكِّرُونَ وَبَقِيَ النَّاسُونَ وَالْمُتَنَاسُونَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed the reins of destruction are dragging you and locks of darkness [and malice] lay fixed on your hearts

قَدْ قَادَتْكُمْ أَزِمَّةُ الْحِينِ وَاسْتَغْلَقَتْ علَى قُلُوبِكُمْ أَقْفَالُ الرَّيْنِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed the religion of one among you has become like the licking of his tongue, [or like] the hobby that is pursued by one who is free from his work and has gained the approval of his master

قَدْ صَارَ دِينُ أَحَدِكُمْ لَعْقَةً عَلَى لِسَانِهِ صَنِيعُ مَنْ فَرَغَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ وَأَحْرَزَ رِضَا سَيِّدِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed, that which was sweet of this world has become bitter, and that which was clean of it has become dirty

قَدْ أَمَرَّ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا كَانَ حُلْواً وَكَدَرَ مِنْهَا مَا كَانَ صَفْواً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

They have plunged into the seas of temptations and have taken to innovation rather than following the practices of the Prophet, and they have gone deep into ignorance while abandoning knowledge

قَدْ خَاضُوا بِحَارَ الْفِتَنِ وَأَخَذُوا بِالْبِدَعِ دُونَ السُّنَنِ وَتَوَغَّلُوا الْجَهْلَ وَاطَّرَحُوا الْعِلْمَ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

We have come upon an age of intransigence and an era of ingratitudeIn it the good-doer is counted as an evil-doer and the unjust increases in his insolence

قَدْ أَصْبَحْنَا فِي زَمَانٍ عَنُودٍ وَدَهْرٍ كَنُودٍ يُعَدُّ فِيهِ الْمُحْسِنُ مُسِيئاً وَيَزْدَادُ الظَّالِمُ فِيهِ عُتُوّاً

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The people may become brothers in wickedness and desert one another in religion, and [they may] love each other over falsehood and hate each other over the truth

قَدْ تَوَاخَى النَّاسُ عَلَى الْفُجُورِ وَتَهَاجَرُوا عَلَى الدِّينِ وَتَحَابَبُوا عَلَى الْكَذِبِ وَتَبَاغَضُوا عَلَى الصِّدْقِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Indeed the evil people have emerged and the righteous people have hidden; and falsehood has become abundant while truth has diminished

قَدْ ظَهَرَ أَهْلُ الشَّرِّ وَبَطَنَ أَهْلُ الْخَيْرِ وَفَاضَ الْكَذِبُ وَغَاضَ الصِّدْقُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The abominable has become so rampant that the shame one feels from it has reduced

قَدْ كَثُرَ الْقَبِيحُ حَتَّى قَلَّ الْحَيَاءُ مِنْهُ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Dishonesty has increased so much that there are only few who can [now] be trusted

قَدْ كَثُرَ الْكَذِبُ حَتَّى قَلَّ مَنْ يُوثَقُ بِهِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

كَأَنَّ الْمَعْنِيَّ سِوَاهَا وَكَأَنَّ الْحَظَّ فِي إِحْرَازِ دُنْيَاهَا

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

Why is it that I see you as bodies without souls, and souls without prosperity, and devotees without righteousness, and traders without profits?!

مَا لِي أَرَاكُمْ أَشْبَاحاً بِلَا أَرْوَاحٍ وَأَرْوَاحاً بِلَا فَلَاحٍ وَنُسَّاكاً بِلَا صَلَاحٍ وَتُجَّاراً بِلَا أَرْبَاحٍ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech

The camel growls after its silence, and time pounces [attacking] like a rapacious beast of prey

هَدَرَ فَنِيقُ [هَدَمَ رَفِيقُ‏] الْبَاطِلِ بَعْدَ كُظُومٍ وَصَالَ الدَّهْرُ صِيَالَ السَّبُعِ الْعَقُورِ

Source : Ghurar Al-Hikam Wa Durar Al-Kalim, Exalted Aphorisms And Pearls Of Speech