SERMON 169
When the people of Jamal set off for
Basrah Amir al-mu'minin said:
There is no doubt that Allah
sent down the Prophet as a guide with an eloquent Book and a standing
command. No one will be ruined by it except one who ruins himself.
Certainly, only doubtful innovations cause ruin except those from which
Allah may protect.
In Allah's authority lies
the safety of your affairs. Therefore, render Him such obedience as is
neither blameworthy nor insincere. By Allah, you must do so, otherwise
Allah will take away from you the power of Islam, and will never
thereafter return it to you till it reverts to others.
Certainly, these people are
in agreement in disliking my authority. I will carry on till I perceive
disunity among you; because if, in spite of the unsoundness of their view,
they succeed, the whole organisation of the Muslims will be shattered.
They are hankering after this world out of jealousy against him on whom
Allah has bestowed it.
So they intend reverting the
matters on their backs (pre-Islamic period), while on us it is obligatory,
for your sake, to abide by the Book of Allah (Qur'an), the Sublime, and
the conduct of the Prophet of Allah, to stand by His rights and the
revival of his sunnah.
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