Imam Ali’s Sermons; Sermon 9-10

Imam Ali’s Sermons; Sermon 9-10

Imam Ali’s Sermons; Sermon 9-10: Cowardice of the people of Jamal

ومن كلام له (عليه السلام)

في صفته وصفة خصومه ويقال إنّها في أصحاب الجمل

They1 thundered like clouds and shone like lightning but despite both these things they exhibited cowardice, while we do not thunder until we pounce upon the foe nor do we show flow (of words) until we have not virtually rained.

وقَدْ أَرْعَدُوا وَأبْرَقُوا، وَمَعَ هذَيْنِ الاْمْرَيْنِ الفَشَلُ، وَلَسْنَا نُرْعِدُ حَتَّى نُوقِعَ، وَلا نُسِيلُ حَتَّى نُمْطِر .

Alternative Sources for Sermon 9

(1) Al-Mufid, al-Jamal, 177, from (2)

(2) al-Waqidi, al-Jamal.

(3) Ibn A`tham, Futuh, as quoted by (4)

(4) al-Khwarazmi in al-Manaqib.

1. About the people of Jamal (i.e. the enemy in the battle of Jamal) Amir al-mu\’minin says that they rose thundering, shouting and stampeding but when encounter took place they were seen flying like straw. At one time they made loud claims that they would do this and would do that and now they showed such cowardice as to flee from the battle-field. About himself Amir al-mu\’minin says, that “We do not threaten the enemy before battle, nor utter boasts, nor terrorise the enemy by raising unnecessary cries because it is not the way of the brave to use the tongue instead of the hand.” That is why on this occasion he said to his comrades: “Beware of excessive talk as it is cowardice.”

Sermon 10: Satan has collected his group…
Regarding the incitement of Satan: alluding to a particular group of people (about Talhah and az-Zubayr)

ومن خطبة له (عليه السلام)

يريد الشيطان أويكني به عن قوم

Beware! Satan1 has collected his group and assembled his horse-men and foot-soldiers. Surely, with me is my sagacity. I have neither deceived myself nor ever been deceived. By Allah I shall fill to the brim for them a cistern from which I alone would draw water. They can neither turn away from it nor return to it.

أَلاَ وإنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ قَدْ جَمَعَ حِزْبَهُ وَاسْتَجْلَبَ خَيْلَهُ وَرَجِلَهُ، وإِنَّ مَعِي لَبَصِيرَتي. مَا لَبَّسْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي، وَلاَ لُبِّسَ عَلَيَّ. وَايْمُ اللهِ لاَفْرِطَنَّ لَهُمْ حَوْضاً أَنَا مَاتِحُهُ !لاَ يَصْدِرُونَ عَنْهُ، وَلاَ يَعُودُونَ إِلَيْهِ.

Alternative Sources for Sermon 10

(1) Al-Mufid, al-\’Irshad, 118; see also under Sermon:22 and Sermon:134 below.

1. When Talhah and az-Zubayr broke away by violating the Oath of allegiance and set for Basrah in the company of `A\’ishah, Amir al-mu\’minin spoke in these words which are part of the long speech.
Ibn Abi\’l-Hadid has written that in this sermon Satan denotes the real Satan as well as Mu`awiyah because Mu`awiyah was secretly conspiring with Talhah and az-Zubayr and instigating them to fight against Amir al-mu\’minin but the reference to the real Satan is more appropriate, obvious and in accord with the situation and circumstances.

http://shiastudies.com/en/4866/sermon-6-by-allah-i-shall-not-be-like-the-badger-that/