Home Sermons Letters Sayings

Sermons
  1. Creation of Earth and Sky and the birth of Adam.

  2. Delivered on return from Siffin - Arabia before proclamation of Prophethood

  3. Known as the Sermon of ash-Shiqshiqiyyah(1)

  4. Amir al-mu'minin's far-sightedness and his staunch conviction in Belief

  5. Delivered when the Holy Prophet died and `Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib and Abu Sufyan ibn Harb offered to pay allegiance to Amir al-mu'minin for the Caliphate

  6. Delivered on being advised not to chase Talhah ibn `Ubaydillah and az-Zubayr ibn al-`Awwam for fighting. (1)

  7. About the hypocrites

  8. Said about az-Zubayr at a time for which it was appropriate

  9. Cowardice of the people of Jamal

  10. About Talhah and az-Zubayr

  11. Delivered in the Battle of Jamal when Amir al-mu'minin gave the standard to his son Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah (1)

  12. When (1) Allah gave him (Amir al-mu'minin) victory over the enemy at the Battle of Jamal one of his comrades said on that occasion, "I wish my brother so-and-so had been present and he too would have seen what success and victory Allah had given you," whereupon Amir al-mu'minin said:

  13. Condemning the people of Basrah(1)

  14. This also is in condemnation of the people of Basrah

  15. After resuming the land grants made by `Uthman ibn `Affan, he said:

  16. Delivered when allegiance was sworn to him at Medina

  17. About those who sit for dispensation of justice among people but are not fit for it.

  18. Amir al-mu'minin said in disparagement of the differences of view among the theologians.

  19. Amir al-mu'minin was delivering a lecture from the pulpit of (the mosque of) Kufah when al-Ash`ath ibn Qays (1) objected and said, "O' Amir al-mu'minin this thing is not in your favour but against you." (2) Amir al-mu'minin looked at him with anger and said:

  20. Death and taking lessons from it

  21. Advice to keep light in this world

  22. About those who accused him of `Uthman's killing

  23. About keeping aloof from envy, and good behaviour towards kith and kin

  24. Exhorting people for jihad

  25. When Amir al-mu'minin received successive news that Mu`awiyah's men were occupying cities(1) and his own officers in Yemen namely `Ubaydullah ibn `Abbas and Sa`id ibn Nimran came to him retreating after being overpowered by Busr ibn Abi Artat, he was much disturbed by the slackness of his own men in jihad and their difference with his opinion. Proceeding on to the pulpit he said:

  26. Arabia before proclamation of Prophethood

  27. Exhorting people for jihad

  28. About the transient nature of this world and importance of the next world

  29. About those who found pretexts at the time of jihad

  30. Disclosing real facts about assassination of `Uthman Ibn `Affan(1) Amir al-mu'minin said:

  31. When before the commencement of the Battle of Jamal Amir al-mu'minin sent `Abdullah ibn `Abbas to az-Zubayr ibn al- `Awwam with the purpose that he should advise him back to obedience, he said to him on that occasion:

  32. About the disparagement of the world and categories of its people

  33. `Abdullah ibn `Abbas says that when Amir al-mu'minin set out for war with the people of Basrah he came to his audience at Dhiqar and saw that he was stitching his shoe. Then Amir al-mu'minin said to me, "What is the price of this shoe?" I said: "It has no value now." He then said, "By Allah, it should have been more dear to me than ruling over you but for the fact that I may establish right and ward off wrong." Then he came out and spoke:

  34. To prepare the people for fighting with the people of Syria (ash-Sham)(1) Amir al-mu'minin said:

  35. Amir al-mu'minin said after Arbitration. (1)

  36. Warning the people of Nahrawan (1) of their fate

  37. Amir al-mu'minin's utterance which runs like a Sermon, About his own steadfastness in religion and precedence in (acceptance of) belief.

  38. About naming of doubt as such and disparagement of those in doubt

  39. In disparagement of those who shrink from fighting

  40. When Amir al-mu'minin heard the cry of Kharijites that "Verdict is only that of Allah" he said:

  41. In condemnation of treason

  42. About heart's desires and extended hopes

  43. After Amir al-mu'minin had sent Jarir ibn `Abdillah al-Bajali to Mu`awiyah (for securing his allegiance) some of his companions suggested preparation to fight with him then he said:

  44. When Masqalah(1) ibn Hubayrah ash-Shaybani fled to Mu`awiyah because he had purchased some prisoners of Banu Najiyah from an executive of Amir al-mu'minin, but when he demanded the price the latter avoided and ran to Syria, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  45. About Allah's greatness and lowliness of this world

  46. When Amir al-mu'minin decided to march towards Syria (ash-Sham) he spoke these words:

  47. About calamities befalling Kufah

  48. Delivered at the time of marching towards Syria.

  49. About Allah's greatness and sublimity

  50. Admixture of right and wrong

  51. When in Siffin the men of Mu`awiyah overpowered the men of Amir al-mu'minin and occupied the bank of River Euphrates and prevented them from taking its water, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  52. (This sermon has already appeared earlier but due to the difference between the two versions we have quoted it again here). Its subject is the downfall of the world and reward and punishment in the next world.

  53. On the swearing of allegiance

  54. When Amir al-mu'minin's men showed impatience on his delay in giving them permission to fight in Siffin , he said:

  55. About steadiness in the battlefield

  56. Amir al-mu'minin said to his companions about Mu`awiyah

  57. Addressing the Kharijites, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  58. When Amir al-mu'minin showed his intention to fight the Kharijites he was told that they had crossed the bridge of Nahrawan and gone over to the other side. Amir al-mu'minin said:

  59. When Amir al-mu'minin was told that the Kharijites had been totally killed, he said:

  60. Amir al-mu'minin also said:

  61. When Amir al-mu'minin was warned of being killed by deceit, he said:

  62. About the transience of the world

  63. About decline and destruction of the world

  64. About Allah's attributes

  65. In some of the days of Siffin Amir al-mu'minin said to his followers about ways of fighting

  66. When after the death of the Prophet news reached Amir al-mu'minin about the happening in Saqifah of Bani Sa`idah,(1) he enquired what the ansar said. People said that they were asking for one chief from among them and one from the others, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  67. When Amir al-mu'minin appointed Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr (1) Governor of Egypt and he was overpowered and killed, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  68. Admonishing his companions about careless behaviour Amir al-mu'minin said:

  69. Spoken on the morning of the day when Amir al-mu'minin was fatally struck with sword.

  70. In condemnation of the people of Iraq

  71. Herein Amir al-mu'minin tells people how to pronounce "as-salat" (to invoke Divine blessing) on the Prophet.

  72. Amir al-mu'minin said about Marwan ibn al-Hakam at Basrah. When Marwan was taken on the day of Jamal, he asked Hasan and Husayn (p.b.u.t.) to intercede on his behalf before Amir al-mu'minin. So they spoke to Amir al-mu'minin about him and he released him. Then they said, "O' Amir al-mu'minin he desires to swear you allegiance" Whereupon Amir al-mu'minin said:

  73. When the Consultative Committee (or Shura) decided to swear allegiance to `Uthman, Amir al-mu'minin said:

  74. When Amir al-mu'minin learnt that the Umayyads blamed him for killing `Uthman, he said:

  75. About preaching and counselling

  76. About Umayyads

  77. Supplications of Amir al-mu'minin.

  78. When(1) Amir al-mu'minin decided to set out for the battle with the Kharijites someone said, "If you set out at this moment then according to astrology I fear you will not be successful in your aim," whereupon Amir al-mu'minin said:

  79. After the Battle of Jamal,(1) Concerning Women and Their Short comings.

  80. About the way of preaching and counselling

  81. About the world and its people

  82. This sermon is called the al-Gharra' and it is one of the most wonderful sermons of Amir al-mu'minin.

  83. About `Amr ibn al-`As

  84. About the perfection of Allah and counselling

  85. About getting ready for the next world and following Allah's commandments

  86. The Qualities of a faithful believer

  87. About the division of the community into factions

  88. About the Holy Prophet

  89. Allah's attributes and some advice

  90. This sermon is known as the Sermon of Skeletons(1) (Khutbatu'l-Ashbah) and it holds one of the highest positions among the sermons of Amir al-mu'minin. Mas`adah ibn Sadaqah has related from al-Imam Ja`far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (p.b.u.t.) saying: "Amir al-mu'minin delivered this sermon from the pulpit of (the mosque of) Kufah when someone asked him, 'O' Amir al-mu'minin! describe Allah for us in such a way that we may imagine that we see Him with eyes so that our love and knowledge may increase about Him.' Amir al-mu'minin became angry at this (request of the questioner) and ordered the Muslims to gather in the mosque. So many Muslims gathered in the mosque that the place was over-crowded. Then Amir al-mu'minin ascended the pulpit while he was still in a state of anger and his colour was changed. After he had praised Allah and extolled Him and sought His blessings on the Prophet he said:

  91. When people decided to Swear allegiance(1) at Amir al-mu'minin's hand after the murder of `Uthman, he said:

  92. About the annihilation of the Kharijites, the mischief mongering of Umayyads and the vastness of his own knowledge

  93. Allah's praise and eulogy of the prophets

  94. About the condition of the people at the time of the Prophet's proclamation and his actions to do with the dissemination of his message

  95. In eulogy of the Holy Prophet

  96. Admonishing his own companions (1)

  97. Oppression of the Umayyads

  98. About abstinence of the world and vicissitudes of time

  99. About the Holy Prophet and his Descendants

  100. About the vicissitudes of time

  101. Day of Judgement

  102. About abstemiousness and fear of Allah

  103. About the condition of the people before the proclamation of prophethood and the Prophet's performance in spreading his message

  104. In eulogy of the Holy Prophet

  105. About Islam

  106. Delivered during one of the days of Siffin

  107. It is one of the sermons about the vicissitudes of time

  108. About the Might of Allah

  109. About Islam, the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah

  110. Caution about this world

  111. About the Angel of Death and depart of spirit

  112. About this world and its people

  113. About abstemiousness, fear of Allah and importance of providing for the next life

  114. Seeking rain

  115. About troubles which would arise and the Day of Judgement

  116. Rebuking Misers

  117. In praise of his faithful companions

  118. Amir al-mu'minin collected the people and exhorted them(1) to jihad but they observed long silence. Then he said: "What is the matter with you. Have you become dumb?" A group of them replied: "O' Amir al-mu'minin if you go forth we shall be with you." Whereupon Amir al-mu'minin said:

  119. About the greatness of Ahlu'l-bayt and the importance of the laws of Islam

  120. A man from among the companions of Amir al-mu'minin stood up and said, "O' Amir al-mu'minin, you first stopped us from Arbitration and thereafter gave order for it. We do not know which of these two was more appropriate." Amir al-mu'minin struck one hand over the other and said:

  121. When the Kharijites persisted in their rejecting the Arbitration, Amir al-mu'minin went to their camp and addressed them thus:

  122. Amir al-mu'minin's address to his followers on the battlefield of Siffin - About supporting the weak and the low-spirited during the fighting

  123. To exhort his followers to fight (1)

  124. About the Kharijites and their opinion on Arbitration

  125. When Amir al-mu'minin was spoken ill of for showing equality in the distribution (of shares from Bayt al-mal or the Muslim Public Treasury) he said:

  126. About the Kharijites

  127. About Important happenings in Basrah

  128. About measures and weights, the transience of this world and the condition of its people

  129. Delivered when Abu Dharr (1) was exiled towards ar-Rabadhah

  130. Grounds for accepting the Caliphate and the qualities of a ruler and governor

  131. Warning about death and counselling

  132. On the Glory of Allah, the Holy Qur'an, the Holy Prophet, this world, A caution

  133. Delivered when Caliph `Umar ibn al-Khattab consulted (1) Amir al-mu'minin about himself, taking part in the march towards Rome ( Byzantine Empire ).

  134. There was some exchange of words between `Uthman ibn `Affan and Amir al-mu'minin when al-Mughirah ibn al-Akhnas (1) said to `Uthman that he would deal with Amir al-mu'minin on his behalf whereupon Amir al-mu'minin said to al-Mughirah:

  135. About the sincerity of his own intention and support of the oppressed

  136. About Talhah and az-Zubayr

  137. Referring to events in the future

  138. On the occasion of the Consultative Committee (after the death of `Umar ibn al-Khattab)

  139. About backbiting and speaking ill of others (1)

  140. Against reliance on heresy

  141. Against misplaced generosity

  142. Praying for rain

  143. Deputation of Prophets , The position of Ahlu'l-bayt , about those who are against the Ahlu'l-bayt

  144. About this world and on innovation (bid`ah)

  145. Spoken when `Umar ibn al-Khattab consulted Amir al-mu'minin about taking part in the battle of Persia. (1)

  146. The purpose of the deputation of the Holy Prophet and the condition of the time when people would go against the Qur'an

  147. About Talhah and az-Zubayr and the people of Basrah

  148. Before his passing away (last will)

  149. About future events and some activities of the hypocrites

  150. The condition of the people during disorder, and advice against oppression and unlawful earning

  151. About the greatness and the attributes of Allah (1)

  152. About negligent persons and the characteristics of beasts, carnivores and women

  153. About the Ahlu'l-bayt (of the Holy Prophet) and their opposers

  154. About the wonderful creation of the bat

  155. About the malice borne by `A'ishah; and warning the people of Basrah about what was to occur

  156. Urging people towards Piety (taqwa)

  157. About the Holy Prophet and the Holy Qur'an

  158. Good behaviour with people and ignoring their faults

  159. Praise of Allah, Greatness of Allah, hope and fear in Allah, The example of the Holy Prophet

  160. Deputation of the Holy Prophet and Drawing lessons from this world

  161. One of Amir al-mu'minin's companions (from Banu Asad) asked him: "How was it that your tribe (Quraysh) deprived you of this position (Caliphate) although you deserved it most." Then in reply he said:

  163. When people went to Amir al-mu'minin in a deputation and complained to him through what they had to say against `Uthman, and requested him to speak to him on their behalf and to admonish him for their sake, he went to see him and said: (1)

  164. Describing the wonderful creation of the peacock

  165. Advice for observing courtesy and kindness and keeping in and out of the same

  166. At the beginning of his Caliphate. Fulfilment of rights and obligations, and advice to fear Allah in all matters.

  167. After swearing of allegiance to Amir al-mu'minin, some people from among the companions of the Prophet said to him, "You should punish the people who assaulted `Uthman," whereupon he said:

  168. When the people of Jamal set off for Basrah Amir al-mu'minin said:

  169. When Amir al-mu'minin approached Basrah an Arab met him and spoke to him, as he had been sent to him by a group of people of Basrah to enquire from him on their behalf position vis-à-vis the people of Jamal. Amir al-mu'minin explained to him his position with respect to them, from which he was convinced that Amir al-mu'minin was in the right. Then Amir al-mu'minin asked him to swear allegiance, but he replied "I am just a message carrier of a people and shall not do anything until I get back to them." Upon this Amir al-mu'minin said to him:

  170. When Amir al-mu'minin decided to fight the enemy face to face at Siffin he said:

  171. About the Consultative Committee and the Battle of Jamal

  172. On eligibility for the Caliphate and the need for sagacity in fighting against Muslims

  173. About Talhah ibn `Ubaydillah

    Delivered when he received the news that Talhah and az-Zubayr had already left for Basrah to fight against him.

  174. Warning to neglectful people, and about the vastness of his own knowledge

  175. Preaching, The greatness of the Holy Qur'an, About the believers and their good deeds; and the hypocrites and their bad deeds. Following the sunnah and refraining from innovation and Guidance from the Holy Qur'an. Categories of oppression

  176. About the two arbiters (after the battle of Siffin)

  177. Praise of Allah, transience of this world, and causes of the decline of Allah's blessings. (Delivered at the beginning of his caliphate after the killing of `Uthman)

  178. Dhi`lib al-Yamani asked Amir al-mu'minin whether he had seen Allah, when he replied, "Do I worship one whom I have not seen?" Then he enquired, "How have you seen Him?" Then Amir al-mu'minin replied:

  179. Condemning his disobedient men

  180. Amir al-mu'minin sent one of his men to bring him news about a group of the army of Kufah who had decided to join the Kharijites but were afraid of him. (1) When the man came back Amir al-mu'minin said to him: "Are they satisfied and staying or feeling weak and going astray?" The man replied, "They have gone away, O' Amir al-mu'minin." Then Amir al-mu'minin said:

  181. It has been related by Nawf al-Bikali that Amir al-mu'minin `Ali (p.b.u.h.) delivered this sermon at Kufah standing on a stone which Ja`dah ibn Hubayrah al-Makhzumi had placed for him. Amir al-mu'minin had a woollen apparel on his body, the belt of his sword was made of leaves, and the sandals on his feet too were of palm leaves. His forehead had a hardened spot like that a camel (on its knee, due to many and long prostrations).

  182. Praise of Allah for His bounties, the greatness and importance of the Holy Qur'an, Warning against punishment on the Day of Judgement

  183. One of the Kharijites al-Burj ibn Mus'hir at-Ta'i raised the slogan, "Command behoves only Allah" in such a way that Amir al-mu'minin heard it. On hearing it he said:

  184. Praise of Allah and His wonderful creatures, Holy Prophet, About the creation of animal species, Creation of the Universe, wonderful creation of the locust ,

  185. About the Oneness of Allah. This sermon contains principles of knowledge which no other sermon contains

  186. Regarding the vicissitudes of time

  187. Allah's favours, Condition of persons facing death, Transience of this world

  188. Steadfast and transient belief, The challenge "Ask me before you miss me" and prophecy about the Umayyads

  189. Importance of fear of Allah, desolateless of the grave, and about the death of the lover of Ahlu'l-bayt being like that of a martyr

  190. Praise of Allah, Advice about fear of Allah and an account of this world and its people,

  191. Known as "al-Khutbah al-Qasi`ah"

    (Sermon of Disparagement)

    (It comprises disparagement of Satan [Iblis] for his vanity and his refusing to prostrate before Adam [pbuh], and his being the first to display bigotry and to act through vanity; it comprises a warning to people treading in Satan's path)

  192. It is related that a companion of Amir al-mu'minin called Hammam(1) who was a man devoted to worship said to him, "O' Amir al-mu'minin, describe to me the pious man in such a way as though I see them." Amir al-mu'minin avoided the reply and said, "O' Hammam, fear Allah and perform good acts because 'Verily, Allah is with those who guard (themselves against evil), and those who do good (to others)'" (Qur'an, 16:128). Hammam was not satisfied with this and pushed him to speak. Thereupon, Amir al-mu'minin praised Allah and extolled Him and sought His blessings on the Holy Prophet and then spoke:

  193. In description of hypocrites

  194. Allah's praise, advice about fear of Allah and details about the Day of Judgement

  195. The condition of the world at the time of the proclamation of prophethood, the transience of this world and the state of its inhabitants.

  196. Amir al-mu'minin's attachment to the Holy Prophet. The performance of his funeral rites.

  197. Allah's attribute of Omniscience, Advantages of fear of Allah , About Islam

  198. Containing advice given by Amir al-mu'minin to his companions

  199. Treason and treachery of Mu`awiyah and the fate of those guilty of treason

  200. One should not be afraid of the scarcity of those who tread on the right path

  201. What Amir al-mu'minin said on the occasion of the burial of Sayyidatu'n-nisa' (Supreme lady) Fatimah (p.b.u.h.) while addressing the Holy Prophet at his grave.

  202. Transience of this world, and importance of collecting provisions for the next life.

  203. What Amir al-mu'minin said generally to his companions warning them about the dangers of the Day of Judgement.

  204. After swearing allegiance to Amir al-mu'minin, Talhah and az-Zubayr complained to him that he had not consulted them or sought their assistance in the affairs (of state).

  205. During the battle of Siffin Amir al-mu'minin heard some of his men abusing the Syrians, then he said:

  206. In the battle of Siffin Amir al-mu'minin saw Imam al-Hasan proceeding rapidly to fight, then he said:

  207. When Amir al-mu'minin's companions expressed displeasure about his attitude concerning Arbitration, (1) he said:

  208. Amir al-mu'minin went to enquire about the health of his companion al-`Ala' ibn Ziyad al-Harithi and when he noticed the vastness of his house he said:

  209. Someone (1) asked Amir al-mu'minin about concocted traditions and contradictory sayings of the Prophet current among the people, whereupon he said:

  210. The greatness of Allah and the creation of the Universe

  211. About those who give up supporting right

  212. The Sublimity of Allah and a eulogy of the Prophet

  213. The Prophet's nobility of descent

  214. A prayer which Amir al-mu'minin often recited

  215. Mutual rights of the ruler and the ruled

  216. About the excesses of the Quraysh

  217. When Amir al-mu'minin passed by the corpses of Talhah ibn `Ubaydullah and `Abd ar-Rahman ibn `Attab ibn Asid who were both killed in the battle of Jamal, he said:

  218. Qualities of the God-fearing and the pious

  219. Amir al-mu'minin recited the verse "Engage (your) vying in exuberance, until ye come to the graves." (1) (Qur'an, 102:1-2)

  220. Delivered after reciting the verse: . . . therein declare glory unto Him in the mornings and the evenings; Men whom neither merchandise nor any sale diverteth from the remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying the poor-rate; they fear the day when the hearts and eyes shall writhe of the anguish. (Qur'an, 24:36-37)

  221. Amir al-mu'minin recited the verse: O' thou man! what hath beguild thee from thy Lord, the Most Gracious One. (Qur'an, 82:6)

  222. About keeping aloof from oppression and misappropriation. `Aqil's condition of poverty and destitution

  223. Supplication

  224. Transience of the world and the helplessness of those in graves

  225. Supplication

  226. About a companion who passed away from this world before the occurrence of troubles.

  227. About allegiance to Amir al-mu'minin for the Caliphate.

  228. Advice about fear of Allah, and an account of those who remain apprehensive of death and adopt abstemiousness

  229. Amir al-mu'minin delivered this sermon at Dhiqar on his way to Basrah, and the historian al-Waqidi has mentioned it (in Kitab al-Jamal).

  230. `Abdullah ibn Zama`ah who was one of the followers of Amir al-mu'minin came to him during his Caliphate to ask for some money when Amir al-mu'minin said:

  231. On Ja`dah ibn Hubayrah al-Makhzumi's (1) inability to deliver a sermon. About speaking the truth

  232. Causes for difference in the features and traits of people

  233. Spoken when Amir al-mu'minin was busy in the funeral ablution (ghusl) of the Holy Prophet and shrouding him

  234. In (1) this sermon Amir al-mu'minin has related his own condition after the Prophet's immigration till his meeting with him.

  235. About collecting provision for the next world while in this world and performing good acts before death

  236. About the two arbitrators (Abu Musa al-Ash`ari and `Amr ibn al-`As) and disparagement of the people of Syria (ash-Sham).

  237. Amir al-mu'minin describes herein the members of the Prophet's family

  238. When `Uthman ibn `Affan was surrounded, `Abdullah ibn al-`Abbas brought a letter to Amir al-mu'minin from `Uthman in which he expressed the desire that Amir al-mu'minin should leave for his estate Yanbu` so that the proposal that was being mooted out for him to become caliph should subside. `Uthman had this request earlier also. Upon this Amir al-mu'minin said to Ibn al-`Abbas:

  239. Exhorting his men to jihad and asking them to refrain from seeking ease

Enter any word
All words  Any word
Exact Phrase
Cross Reference Quran

 

Imam Ali Said:
For those who refused to side with any party, Imam Ali or his enemies, Imam Ali said: They have forsaken religion and are of no use to infidelity also.

Hosted by shiaDomain.com