Nahjul Balaaghah about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

1. Nahjul Balaaghah about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) By A.S. Hashim. MD

2. Supplicationبـســـم الله الرحمن الرحيم In the Name of God, Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

3. Nahjul Balaaghah • Nahjul Balaaghah, a highly valued book, consists of: • 254 sermons, • 48 letters, and • 212 sayings of Imam Ali • Nahjul Balaaghah is unique to Imam Ali • None of the Sahaaba was ever able to produce anything like it: • neither in substance • nor in literary eloquence. • No wonder Ali was referred to as: • Sayyid al-Bulaghaa' (Pinnacle of Literary Expression) and • Sayyid al-Fu'qahaa, (Pinnacle of the Jurisprudents)

4. References to Muhammad (pbuh) • Nahjul Balaaghah contains 23 references about Muhammad (pbuh) • The quotes appear in various sermons, • said at variable occasions and • about different subjects. • The quotes in Arabic are from the book of Nahjul Balaaghah, by Dr. Subhi Al-Salih, and so is the numbering of the sermons and pages, 1st Edition, Beirut 1967. • Numbering of the sermons may vary by factor of one in other Volumes about Nahjul Balaaghah

5. Time Element • The majority of Ali's sayings and speeches were stated: • during his Khilaafah when in Kufa, • Some might have been at Khutbas of Jumu’ah, • Others might have been at other occasions • A number of others were at different locations and at special circumstances.

6. In Sermon 95, page 140,Ali about the Prophet’s Mission

7. Comments about the times of the Prophet • Muhammad (pbuh) gave wonderful admonitions and trustworthy advice, • He trod on the Right Path [Islam] • Urged mankind towards the path of wisdom with fitting counsel. • The Society at that time was: • In disarray, disoriented and perplexed • Lust and mischief were common. • Conceit took hold of people. • Extremes of ignorance made fools of them. • Thus instability was the norm, due to their ignorance.

8. In sermon 1, page 44,Ali eulogizes the Prophet

9. Comments about Muhammad’s Background • … till Allah deputized Muhammad (pbuh) as His Prophet, thus fulfilling His promise and finalizing His Prophethood. • Muhammad’s pledge was as that of other Prophets, his character was well reputed and his birth (lineage) was truly honorable. • The people at the time were divided, with separate aims and diverse ways. • They made similes of Allah with His creation, twisted Allah’s Names, or turned to other than Allah in worship. • Muhammad then guided the people out of their wrong, and he saved them as such from their ignorance

10. In sermon #104, page 150,Ali about Muhammad’s Effort

11. Ali speaks about Muhammad’s Efforts • Ali says: Allah had deputized Muhammad as the Prophet while: • Out of ignorance no one among the Arabs read Books • nor any claimed Prophethood or Revelation. • Muhammad had to fight those who disobeyed him by those who had followed him: • By so doing he directed people toward their salvation • Hastening to do so lest death would overtake them. • Muhammad insisted on helping him who was troubled or in distress till this person got his aim, • Eventually Muhammad showed people their prized goal and carried them to their deliverance. • As a result, people’s affairs moved forward, and their affairs got straightened out

12. In Sermon 72, page 101,Ali Supplicates for Muhammad (pbuh)

13. Ali Supplicates for Muhammad (pbuh) • Oh Allah prepare for Muhammad a spacious place under Thy shade and award him multitude of good by Thy bounty. • Oh Allah, enhance him above all others, and heighten his position with Thee, and grant him perfection and perfect for him his Light. • In reward for his discharging Thy Prophethood, grant him that his testimony be admitted and his speech be liked (for his speech is just, and his judgments are clear-cut). • Oh Allah join us and him together in: • ease of living, • continuity of bounty, • satisfaction of desires, • enjoyment of pleasures. • peace of mind and • gifts of honor

14. In Sermon 105, page 151, Ali about Background of Muhammad

15. Comments about Background of the Prophet (pbuh) • Allah had deputized Muhammad (pbuh) as a: • Witness, • Giver of good tidings and • A Warner, • Muhammad was the best among humanity as a child and • the most chaste as a grown up man, • Muhammad was the purest of the pure in conduct, and • the most generous to anyone who approached for help.

16. In Sermon 109, page 162,Ali about Muhammad’s Look at Life

17. Comments about the Prophet’s Look at Earthly Life • Muhammad disdained the pleasures of this world. He held it in contempt. • He realized that Allah intentionally kept it away from him but spread it out for others. This was out of honor to him and out of disdain to others • Therefore, Muhammad distanced the attractions of this life from his heart, banished them from his mind. He wished that its attraction be concealed from his eyes so as neither garments nor hope for staying in it matters much. • Muhammad conveyed from Allah the pleas, • Gave good Counsel to humanity • He warned them about sins, but at the same time • He called upon them towards Paradise by giving the Good Tidings.

18. In Sermon 151, page 210,Ali about Muhammad’s Standing

19. Comments about the Prophet’s Standing • and I declare that Muhammad is His Prophet, His chosen and selected one. • Muhammad's distinction cannot be paralleled nor can his loss be made good. • Societies were enlightened through him, when previously there was: • Dark misguidance, • Overpowering ignorance and • Rude habits, • People regarded the unlawful as lawful. • They humiliated the man of wisdom, • Passed lives when there were no Prophets and • Died as unbelievers.

20. In sermon 160, page 227Ali about Muhammad the Example

21. Comments about the Prophet as an Example • The most beloved person before Allah is he who follows His Prophet and who treads in his footsteps. • Ali urges us to follow the footsteps of the Prophet, the pure, the chaste, In him is the grand example for the follower, and the consolation for its seeker. • Muhammad took the least (share) from this world and did not take a full glance at it. Of all the people of the world he was the least satiated and the most empty of stomach. • The world was offered to him but he refused to accept it. • When he knew that Allah disdained a thing, he too disdained it; • what Allah held a thing low, he too held it low; • what Allah held a thing small, he too held it small.

22. In sermon 161, page 229Ali about the Prophet’s Background

23. Comments about the Prophet’s background • Allah deputed the Prophet with a sparkling light, a clear argument, an open path and a guiding book. • He comes from the best family and lineal tree, whose branches are fruitful and well proportioned. • He was born in Mecca, but his immigration was to Medina. Here his reputation rose high and his speech spread far and wide. • Allah sent Muhammad with a sufficing plea, a convincing discourse and a rectifying announcement. • Through him Allah disclosed the forsaken ways, and destroyed the introduced innovations, and explained the detailed commands.

24. In sermon 178, page 257Ali about the Prophet’s Characters

25. Comments about the Prophet’s Characters • Ali was testifying by saying: I stand witness that Muhammad is Allah’s Servant and His Messenger. Muhammad was: • The chosen from Allah’s creations, • The selected for detailing Allah’s Truths, • Picked for Allah’s selected honors and • Chosen for Allah’s esteemed messages. • Through Muhammad: • The beacons of guidance have been lighted • and the blindness of misguidance has been dispelled.

26. Be in Allah’s Care Thank you and May God Bless you. Dr. A.S. Hashim