In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful
9th Safar 1448 (24th July 2026)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 144
Having discussed Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 133 at great length I quote below an extract from Sermon 173 which was delivered by the Imam to his followers, during a period of intense civil strife (the First Fitna) within the early Islamic community. He spoke about the painful reality of fighting against fellow Muslims (specifically referring to the conflicts at the Battle of Jamal or the Battle of Siffin). Inshallah during my forthcoming session I will explain its contents.
“The Prophet is the trustee of Allah’s revelation, the Last of His Prophets. the giver of tidings of His mercy and the warner for His chastisement.
O people! The most rightful person for this matter (namely the caliphate) is he who is most competent among them to maintain it, and he who knows best Allah’s commands about it. If any mischief is created by a mischief-monger, he will be called upon to repent. If he refuses, he will be fought against.
By my life, if the question of Imamah was not to be decided unless everyone was present, then there would be no such case. But those who agreed about it imposed the decision on those who were absent, so much so that he who was present could not dissent and the one who was absent could not choose (anyone else). Know that I shall fight two groups of people – one who claims what is not his and the other who ignores what is obligatory upon him.
The need for sagacity in fighting against Muslims
O creatures of Allah! I advise you to fear Allah because it is the best advice to be mutually given by people, and the best of all things before Allah. The door of war has opened between you and other Muslims. And this banner will be borne only by him who is a man of sight and endurance and has knowledge of righteousness. Therefore, you should go ahead with what you have been commanded to do and desist from what you have been refrained from. Do not make haste in any matter until you have clarified it. For in the case of matters which you dislike we have a right to change them.” (Sermon 173) To be continued
Second Sermon
Martyrdom of Imam Hassan Al-Mojtaba (a.s.)
According to some tradition, the 7th day of Safar is the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hassan (a.s.). I hereby offer my condolences to Imam Mahdi (a.t.j.) and to the followers of the Ahlul Bait.
Imam Hassan (a.s.) was born in Medina on the 15th of Ramadan, 2 or 3 Hijri. His birth brought great joy to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and his family. Immediately after his birth, his parents, Imam Ali and Fatima (a.s.), took him to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and on the seventh day, a silk shawl was given by Gabriel to the Holy Prophet (s.a.) who wrapped him in it and named him ‘Hassan’. He also sacrificed a sheep in honor of this great new arrival (Aqiqah).
The first phase of the Imam’s infancy, seven years and a few months, was blessed with the gracious patronage of the Holy Prophet (s.a.). Thereafter he spent 30 years under the tutelage of his father, Imam Ali (a.s.). After the martyrdom of his father, he took over the Imamate which lasted for 10 years. He excelled all others in worshipping Allah (s.w.t), in knowledge and in spiritual perfection. He was the master of greatness, the commander of the faithful and the most compassionate and forbearing human being. It was the life of Imam Hassan (a.s.) that paved the way for his younger brother, Imam Hussain (a.s.)’s glorious stand. They were two sides of the same coin; one living the jihad of peace and the other the jihad of martyrdom. Both acted out their paths fully, bearing the banner of their blessed grandfather, uncompromising in the defense of right and in the denial of evil. They joyfully praised their Lord in happiness and in adversity, submitting to His Divine laws and leaving for us an example of correct behavio0r both in peace and in war.
The period of Imam Hassan (a.s.)’s Imamate coincided with the regime of Muawiyah. He was poisoned by his wife, Jodeh, under the instruction of Muawiyah, at the age of 47/48 and was buried in the renowned Baqi cemetery in Medina. After his martyrdom, Imam Hussain (a.s.) looked after his children and in the Battle of Karbala three of his sons, Abdullah, Qasim and Abu Bakr were martyred.
One of the most beautiful and deep aspects of the life of Imam Hassan (a.s.) is the excessive attention the Holy Prophet (s.a.) paid him. The love of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) towards him was so evident that historians and narrators have recorded many different instances of this great affection. I quote below two of these instances:
- Jabir ibne Abdullah Ansari had narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.):
“To attain happiness, one should look at Hassan.”
- Abdullah ibne Buraida narrated from ibne Abbas that when he along with the Holy Prophet (s.a.) visited the house of Ali (a.s.), the Holy Prophet (s.a.) knocked on the door three times and when no one answered they waited at the entrance. Suddenly Imam Hassan (a.s.) appeared with a rosary round his neck. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) held the Imam in his arms and kissed him and said: “Truly Hassan has a great personality. I sincerely hope that Allah will help him in reconciling between the two groups of Muslims.” (R: Manaqib V: 4 P: 20)
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