ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons Sermon 134: Allah has taken upon Himself …. Delivered when Caliph `Umar ibn al-Khattab consulted [^1] Amir al-mu'minin about himself, taking part in the march towards Rome (Byzantine Empire). ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) وقد شاوره عمر بن الخطاب في الخروج إلى غزوالروم Allah has taken upon Himself for the followers of this religion the strengthening of boundaries and hiding of the secret places.

Allah helped them when they were few and could not protect themselves. He is Living and will not die. If you will your self proceed towards the enemy and clash with them and fall into some trouble, there will be no place of refuge for the Muslims other than their remote cities, nor any place they would return to. Therefore, you should send there an experienced man and send with him people of good performance who are well-intentioned. If Allah grants you victory, then this is what you want.

If it is otherwise, you would serve as a support for the people and a returning place for the Muslims. وَقَدْ تَوَكَّلَ اللهُ لاِهْلِ هَذا الدِّينِ بِإِعْزَازِ الْحَوْزَةِ، وَسَتْرِ الْعَوْرَةِ، وَالَّذِي نَصَرَهُمْ وَهُمْ قَلِيلٌ لاَ يَنْتَصِرُونَ، وَمَنَعَهُمْ وَهُمْ قَلِيلٌ لاَ يَمتَنِعُونَ، حَيٌّ لاَ يَمُوتُ.

إِنَّكَ مَتَى تَسِرْ إِلَى هذَا الْعَدُوِّ بِنَفْسِكَ، فَتَلْقَهُمْ بِشَخْصِكَ فَتُنْكَبْ، لاَ تَكُنْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَانِفَةٌ دُونَ أَقْصَى بِلاَدِهِمْ، وَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ مَرْجِعٌ يَرْجِعُونَ إِلَيْهِ، فَابْعَثْ إِلَيْهِمْ رَجُلاً مِحْرَباً، وَاحْفِزْ مَعَهُ أَهْلَ الْبَلاَءِ وَالنَّصِيحَةِ، فَإِنْ أَظْهَرَ اللهُ فَذَاكَ مَا تُحِبُّ، وَإِنْ تَكُنِ الاْخْرَى، كُنْتَ رِدْءاً للنَّاسِ وَمَثَابَةً لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ.

Alternative Sources for Sermon 134 (1) Ibn al- 'Athir, al-Nihayah, IV, 250; (2) Abu `Ubayd, al-'Amwal, 252*.* [^1]: About Amir al-mu'minin, the strange position is adopted that on the one hand, it is said that he was ignorant of practical politics and unacquainted with ways of administration from which it is intended that the revolts created by the Umayyad's lust for power should be shown to be the outcome of Amir al-mu'minin's weak administration.

On the other hand, much is made of the various occasions when the then Caliphs consulted Amir al-mu'minin in important affairs of State in the matter of wars with unbelievers.

✦ ✦ ✦