In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful
14 Shawwal 1447 (3 April 2026)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 128
I quote below an extract from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s sermon 87 from the Nahjul Balagha wherein he expresses his concern about Muslims who go astray despite the fact that they can attain clear guidance from the Holy Quran and the Ahlul Bait.
“Ensigns of guidance are standing, indications of virtue are clear, and the minarets (of light) have been fixed. Why are you going astray and how are you groping while you have amongst you the descendants of the Prophet? They are the reins of right, ensigns of faith and tongues of truth. Honor them in the same manner as you honor the Quran, and come to them for quenching the thirst of guidance as the thirsty camels approach the water spring.
O people learn this saying from the last Prophet: “He who dies from among us is not dead, and he who decays (after dying) from among us does not really decay.” Do not say what you do not understand, because it is the truth what you deny. Accept the argument of one against whom you have no argument. Did I not act before you on the greater thaqal (ath-thaqal al-akbar, i.e. the Quran) and did I not retain among you the smaller thaqal (ath-thaqal-al-asghar, i.e. the descendants of the Prophet)? I fixed the standard of faith, and I taught you the limits of lawful and unlawful deeds. I clothed you with the garments of safety with my justice and I spread true faith with my words and deeds. I showed you good manners. Do not exercise your imagination about what the eyes cannot see or the mind cannot conceive.”
The aforementioned text from the sermon contains a very important and valuable point pertaining to the truth and the true position of the Ahlul Bait that every Muslim should be aware of, which I will discuss during my forthcoming session. To be continued
Second sermon
Battle of Uhud – Part 1
During the month of Shawwal the Muslims were embroiled in two important battles against the Meccans, namely, the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Siffin. The Battle of Uhud had taken place on the 7th of Shawwal, 3 Hijri during the era of the Holy Prophet (a.s). The Battle of Siffin, on the other hand, had started on the 5th of Shawwal, 36 Hijri, but it had officially taken place on the 1st of Safar, 37 Hijri, during the Caliphate of Imam Ali (a.s).
After the Muslims’ migration from Mecca to Medina, the Meccan tribes assumed that this small group would be without protection or strength. Hence after several skirmishes against them, they attempted to eliminate them in the Battle of Badr, two years after Hijrat. However, the Muslims showed that they could fight against the odds and to defend Medina from invasion. During the battle many leading members of the Quraish were killed, including Abu Jahl and Hanzala ibne Abu Sufyan. After the death of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan who had taken over full command had forbidden the bereaved families to lament their loss, as he knew that tears could wash away malevolence from their heart. He had, however, taken an oath that he would remain a stranger to every pleasure until he had paid the Muslims back in their own coin. He spent a whole year to equip and train a new army and he finally set out from Mecca with an army of 3000 seasoned warriors. Most of them were foot soldiers but they were supported by a strong contingent of cavalry. The Muslims gathered to defend Medina with a small band of 700 fighters, led by the Holy Prophet (s.a). The two mismatched armies met at the slopes of Mount Uhud, just outside Medina.
There are many Ayahs in the Holy Quran relating to the Battle of Uhud; I quote below Ayahs 139-145 from Surah Aale Imran, which I will analyze during my next session:
“Do not lose heart, and do not grieve, for you shall gain the upper hand if only you truly believe.
If a wound has afflicted you, a similar wound has also afflicted the disbelievers. We bring about these days of varying fortunes among men by turn, so that God may ascertain those who have sincerely believed, and that He make take witnesses from among you, and God does not love the unjust.
So that God may purge those who believe and destroy the infidels.
Do you imagine that you will enter paradise when God has not yet ascertained those who have striven hard among you nor test the steadfast?
And you indeed desire death before you met it, so indeed you have now seen it, even while you look on.
Muhammad is only a Messenger; messengers have already passed away before him; therefore if he dies or is slain, will you turn upon your heels? He who turns upon his heels will not harm God the slightest, and soon God will reward the grateful ones.
It is not for any soul to die except by God’s permission, according to the Book that fixes its term. He who desires his reward in this life, We give him thereof. And he who desires his reward in the hereafter, We give him thereof. And soon shall We reward the grateful ones.”
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