In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful

17 Shabaan 1447 (6 February 2026)

Islamic Universal Association

20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

 

Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 120

I quote below Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 88 from the Nahjul Balagha which focuses on the nature of divine justice, the causes of societal decay and the psychological state of a misguided community:

 

“Indeed, Allah did not crush any unruly tyrant in this world except after allowing him time and opportunity and He did not join the broken bones of people (ummah) until He did not inflict calamity and distress upon them. Even less than what sufferings and misfortunes have yet to fall upon you or have already befallen are enough for giving lessons. Every man with a heart is not intelligent, every ear does not listen and every eye does not see.

I wonder, and there is no reason why I should not wonder, about the faults of these groups who have introduced alterations in their religious pleas, who do not follow the footsteps of their Prophet nor follow the actions of the vicegerent. They do not believe in the unknown and do not avoid evil. They act on the doubts and tread in (the way of) their passions. For them good is whatever they consider good and evil is whatever they consider evil. Their reliance for resolving distresses is on themselves. Their confidence in regard to dubious matters is based on their own opinions as if every one of them is the Leader (Imam). Whatever he has decided himself he considers it to have been taken through reliable sources and strong factors.”

 

This sermon was delivered at a time of intense internal divisions and political strife within the early Muslim community and it served as a warning against those who had corrupted the faith through innovations and had relied on their own interpretations to justify political and religious rebellion. The Imam warned them that their current sufferings were due to their straying from the path of truth and religious principles based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s.a).                                              Key points

• The Imam explains that Allah (s.w.t) gives tyrants time and opportunity to return to Him. He does this as part of His divine plan before their eventual downfall.
• Similarly, he emphasizes that the broken bones of a nation are only mended after they endure significant calamity and distress. These hardships serve as a lesson and a means of spiritual purification.
• The Imam explains that physical senses are not the same as true perception. A person may have a heart that is devoid of intelligence, ears that do not truly listen and eyes that do not visualize the reality of his situation. In other words, he lacks the spiritual heart that perceives the truth.
• He warns against those who abandon the teachings of the Holy Prophet (s.a) and his vicegerent (wasi), instead of following the established religious truth. These groups:
• Follow their own passions and doubts rather than divine guidance;
• Define good and evil based on their personal convenience;
• Act as though their flawed opinions are reliable sources.To be continied

 

Second sermon

Birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f) – Part 2

In continuation with last week’s discussion, I wish to add that Imam Mahdi (a.t.f)’s rule will be unique and distinctive. According to the Holy Quran and Islamic traditions his divine revolution will be a great Islamic revival and the religion of Allah (s.w.t) will reign supreme in the entire world. He will spread truth and justice and make peace in every nook and corner of the world. His rise will thus not be limited to a certain tribe or nation or for Muslims alone for he is the Mahdi (guide) of the entire universe and the restorer of the religion of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. I quote below some relevant Ayahs:

 

• Ayah 105 of Surah Al-Anbiya: “And indeed We did write in the Psalms (Zabur) after the Reminder (Torah) that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.” The true promise that the righteous servants will inherit the earth has been reported in David (Dawood)’s Book, Psalms/Zabur, and other divine scriptures. The word ‘righteousness’ can only be held to mean the purity of the soul and the body and who else could be more righteous than those whom Allah (s.w.t) has purified Himself; the progeny and seed of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) who shall inherit the earth and dwell therein until eternity.
• Moreover, according to Imam Baqer (a.s), the Holy Prophet (s.a.) has said: “Even if a day remains until Qiyamah, Allah will prolong that day until He will send a man from my progeny who will fill the earth with justice and equity as it was filled with injustice and oppression.” (Majma Al-Bayan, Volume 7, page 67)
• Ayah 5 of Surah Al-Qasas: “And We intend to bestow Our favor upon those who were considered weak in the land, and to make them the Imams and the inheritors.” Here the Holy Quran is referring to the Ahlul Bait as they were not the aristocratic or monarchical rulers but on the contrary they were the ones whom the world considered as weak and poor. They are the inheritors of the earth and with the re-emergence of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f) the Kingdom of God will be established in the entire universe, for he will lead the Ummah by promoting righteousness and re-establishing the Shariah throughout the world.
• Ayahs 8 and 9 of Surah As-Saff: “They intend to put out the light of God with their own mouths, but God insists on protecting His Light though averse the disbelievers maybe.

He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance (Quran) and the religion of truth (Islam) to make it triumph over all other religions though averse the polytheists may be.” The arrival of Imam Mahdi (a.t.f) will be the start of the journey on the path to spiritual enlightenment, and in effect, he will promote the continuation of the mission of the Holy Prophet (s.a). He will be instrumental in bringing about changes, such as, the final victory of the forces of righteousness, peace and justice over evil, oppression and tyranny, the world-wide spread of the Islamic faith, the complete and all-round establishment of human values and the formation of an ideal society.