605/1208)...

605/1208), who said: I read this khutbah in the presence of Abu Muhammad ‘Abd Allah ibn Ahmad, known as Ibn al-Khashshab (493 -567/1099-1172)… and asked him if he considered this khutbah to be a forged one and not of ‘Ali (as). Ibn al-Khashshab said: By God, I am convinced that it is from ‘Ali and I am as sure of it as I am convened of your truthfulness.

Al-Wasiti said to Ibn al-Khashshab: “A group is of the view that this khutbah was fabricated by al-Radhi, may God be pleased with him.” Ibn al-Khashshab said: Is it not beyond the eloquence of al-Radhi or any other? How could he speak from such a high level of spirituality in such a (forceful) style? We are well acquainted with al-Radi’s writings, his style and his technique.

I have assessed both his poetry and prose, these words as compared to those of al- Radi are so different that there is no question of confusing them with his writings.” He further said: By God, I have read this sermon in books written two hundred years before the birth of al-Radhi. Yes, of course, I have seen it written in many books.

I can identify this khutbah very well and know that which of the ‘ulama’ and men of letters quoted it (in his work) much before al-Radi’s father was born.”(1) On another occasion, in his Sharh Nahj al-balaghah, Ibn Abi al-Hadid A group of blind followers of their own whims and wishes is of the opinion that the best part of Nahj al-Balagha is fabricated and forged by a group of Shi’i writers and is something new. Most of them consider a part of it to be the product of al-Radi’s pen or of others.

But this group consists of prejudiced people, whose heart’s vision is blocked by partiality and who have deviated from the right and straight path of truth; they have strayed from the truth due to perversion, lack of knowledge, and unfamiliarity with literature and poetry. (2) At another place he writes about the words of Amir al-Mu’minin (as): His eloquence is such that he is the leader of the eloquent and the guide and master of orators.

It is said about his utterances that his words are below the Word of the Creator only, but over and above the words of all creatures, and from him, the world has learnt the art of speech and rhetoric. There were people in the age of al-Radhi himself whose hearts and eyes were sealed in such a manner that they attributed some of ‘Ali’s utterances to Mu’fiwiyah.