IMAM ALI's COLLECTED
SERMONS, LETTERS, AND SAYINGS
COLLECTED BY ALLAMA SYED RAZI
NEHJUL BALAGHA
Translared by Sheikh Hasan Saeed
Chehel Soton Library and Theological School
Masjid e Jame, Tehran, Iran, 1977.
The book comprises 245 sermons, 79 letters and 210 sayings. The compiler has only extracted parts from sermons, letters and sayings are reproduced as it is, readers should not infer that the material which is not reproduced is less important and meaningful. In the opinion of the compiler, the evolution of this volume and opinions of the Ulemai Ahle Sunnat from 1st century (Hijri) till the 15th century is most important to be highlighted for all sects of Muslims, so that part is reproduced in full.
"This book is a translation of the sermons, letters, orders and some of the saying of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) as compiled by Syed Razi and named "NEHJUL BALAGHA."
ABOUT THE BOOK
"These sermons and preachings of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) were so highly valued and venerated in the Islamic world that within a century of his death they were taught and read as the last word on the Phylosophy of mono-theism,as the best lectures for character building, as exalted source of inspiration, as very persuasive sermons toward piety, as guiding beacons toward truth and justice, as marvelous eulogies of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and the Holy Quran, as convincing discourses on the spiritual values of Islam, as awe inspiring discussions about the attributes of God, as master piece of literature, and as models of the art of rhetorics". Nehj. Balagha. p. 4
1st CENTURY : According to the famous book of biographies Rejal-e-Kabeer, the first person to collect these sermons in a book form was Zaid Ibne Wahab Jehny, who died in 90 A.H. and who was regarded as a narrator of Ahadees (Traditions). Thus within 30 years of Hazrat Ali's (A.S.) death and during the first century of Hijrah, his sermons, letters, sayings, Ahadees etc. were collected ,quoted and preserved". Nehjul Balagha. p. 4
2nd CENTURY : With the dawn of 2nd century Ibne Wahab's example was followed by (1) the famous caligraphist of the Abbasite regime,Abdul Hameed-bin-Yahya (132 A.H), (2) and then In-u-l Moqquffa (142 A.H) took up this work of compilation. (3) Ibne-Nadeem in his biographies "The Fahrist" says that Husham Ibne Saeeb-e-KALBEE (146 A.H) had also collected these sermons.
3rd CENTURY : During the third century five famous men took up this work :
1. Abu Oosamn Omero-bin-Bahr-ul-Jahiz who died in 255 A.H. (868 A.D), quoted many sermons in his book Al-bayan-wo-Tabyan.
2. Ibne-Qateeba-e-Daynoori, who died in 276 A.H., in his book O' YOON-ul-Akhbar and Ghareeb-ul-Hadees quoted many sermons and discussed meanings of many words and phrases used by Hazrat Ali (A.S.) )
3. Ibne-Wazeh-e-Yaqoobee,wo died in 278 A.H, cited many sermons and sayings of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) in his history.
4. Abu Haneefa-e-Daynoori (280 A.H) is his history Akhbar-e-Tawal quoted many sermons and sayings.
5. Abul Abbas Almobard (286 A.H) in his Kitab-ul-Mobard, collected many sermons and letters.
4th CENTURY :
1. The famous Historian Ibne Jurair-e-Tabaree who died in 310 A.H. quoted some of these sermons in his Tareek-e-Kabeer.
2. Abu Muhammad Hussan-Ibne-Ali-Ibne Shoba-e-Halbee (320 A.H) had collected some sermons in his book"Tahfath-u-l Oquool. This book was later printed in Persia. There are 7 other writers who have quoted the sermons and saying of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) Ibne-Wareed 321 A.H) Masoodi (346 A.H.) in Morravij-ul-Zahab, Yaqooth-e-Hameveene in, Mojam-ul-Adibba, Abul Farz Isphani (356 A.H), Abu Ali Quali (356 A.H), Navadir, and Shaikh Sadook (381A.H) in Kitab-ul-Tauheed.
5th CENTURY :
1. Shaikh Moofeed (413 A.H.) in Irshad has quoted many sermons, Ahadees (traditions) sayings and letters of Hazrath.
2. Syed Razi ( 420 A.H.) compiled the book Nahjul Balagha.
3. Shaikh-ul-Taa'ye'fa Abu Jaffer Mohammad Ibne-Hussan-e-Toosi (460 A.H) was contemporary of Syed Razi and had collected some of these sermons etc., long before Syed Razi took up his work.
NOTE : It is reported that what Allama Syed Razi couldcompiled in Nahjul Balagha does not contain all the sermons, letters and sayings of Hazrat Ali (A.S.). Masoodi (346 A.H) in his famous history Morravej-ul-Zahab (Vol II page 33 printed in Cairo) says that only sermons of Hazrat Ali, which have been preserved by various people, number more than four hundred and eighty. Nahjul Balagha op. Cit. pp 5-6.
The author contends that "If I quote all of what has been said by Muslims and the Christian Arab Scholars, Theologians, Philosophers and Historians in praise of sermons, sayings and letters it will cover volumes as big as the book". Only a selected few are quoted here :
1. Abu Sa'adath Mubarak Majud din-ibne-Aseer Jazaree (606 A.H) is recognised even today not only for narator of Ahadees(traditions) but also as alexigolist of great eminence. His book "NEHAYA", is a study of the history and meanings of difficult words of Holy Quran and the traditions. In this book he has at great length discussed many words, phrase and sentenses of Hazar Ali's sermons from the Book Nehjul Balagha. He says so far as comprehensive ness is concerned Ali's wods come next to the Quran.
2. Allama Shaikh Kamaluddin-ibne-Mohammad-ibne-Talha-e-Shafayee (who died in 652 A.H.) in his famous book "MOTHALEB-UL-SOAOL write :
"The fourth attribute of Hazrat Ali (A.S) was his eloquence and rhetoric’s. He was such a Imam in these arts that none can aspire to rise up to the level of the dust of his shoes. One who has studied Nahjil Balagha can form some idea of his supreme eminence in this sphere"
3. Maulana Abu Hamid Abdul Hameed-Ibne- Hinathulah, known as Ibne-Abil Hameed-e-Moathazalee, who died in 655 A.H.), and who has written a really great commentary on the sermons says :
(i) His speeches, letters and sayings are so supremely eminent that they are above the sayings of man and below only to the words of God. None can surpass it but Holy Quran.
(ii) At another place he says that "His (Hazrat Ali) sayings are miracles of the Holy Pophet (S.A.W.). His prophecies show that his knowledge was superhuman".
4. Allama Sa'aduddin Thafthazani (791 A.H.) in "Sharah-e-Maquasid" says that :
"Ali had supreme command over language, over ethics and over tenets of religion at the same time he was great orator, his sermons compile in Nahjul Balagha bear witness to these facts"
5. Allama Alauddin Quoshjee (875 A.H) in "Sharah-e-Tujreed says that :
"The book Nahjul Balagha that is sermons and sayings contained therein prove that none can surpass it one these lines but the Holy Quran".
6. Mufthi Of Egypt Shaikh Mohammad Abdahoo (1323 A.H) has written commentary on the book Nahjul Balagha. He was among the modern thinkers, who made the modern world realize the beauties of the teachings of Islam. In his commentary of Nahjul Balagha he says" :
"That every one who fully understands Arabic language, must agree that sermons and sayings of Harat Ali (A.S.) are next to the words of God and the Holy Prophet (A.S). Ali's words are so full of meanings and they convey such ideas that they should be very carefully studied referred and quoted. This Professor of Arabic Literature and Philosophy persuaded the University of Cairo and Beirut to include the book Nehjul Balagha in their courses for advanced studies of literature and Philosophy."
7. The famous author and orator Shaikh Mustafa Ghala' Aenee of Beirut, who is considered as an authority on Commentries (Tafseer of Quran) and also an Arabic Literature in his book "Areezu-ul-Zahr' in Chapter" The styles of Language writes :
"Who can write better than Ali except the Holy Prophet (A.S) and God. Those who want to study supremely eminent standards of literature should study the book Nahjul Balagha. It contains such depth of knowledge and such wonderful advises on the subject of ethics and religion that its constant study will make a man wise, pious and noble minded and will train him to be an orator of great standing".
8. Usthad Mohammad Mohiuddin, the Professor of Arabic Language, Alazhar University of Cairo says that the Nahjul Balagha is a collection of the works of Hazrat Ali.It is compiled by Syed Razi :
"It contains such examples of chaste language, noble eloquence and superior wisdom that none but Ali can produce such a work because next to the Holy Prophet (A.S.), he was the greatest orator,the greatest authority on language and literature and the greatest source of wisdom of the religion (Islam). He was such philosopher that from his words flow streams of knowledge and wisdome."
9. Ustad Abdul Wahab Hamodha, an authority of Arabic Literature and the "Traditions", and a Professor of the Fuwad I University of Cairo, in 1951, writes :
"The Book Nahjul Balagha contains all the great scholars,professors of ethics, philosophers scientists, authorites on religion and politicians can say and write. The wonderful force of advises and superfine way of presenting arguments and the depth of vision prove that it is work of a super mind like that of Ali".
