Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali bin Abu Talib (as) was a divinely appointed successor to the Holy Prophet
The 2 sermons delivered by him are miraculous.
In one of them the Imam (as) did not use a single elongated aleef, "Aleef أ"(بلا حرف الأليف ) alphabet at all !
In the other, he did not use a single alphabet that has any dots in it:ي ث خ ت ن ظ ف خ ج ( جميع حروفها ليس فيها نقاط)
The w/o Alif sermon is below and the w/o dots sermon is in adjoining tab
Sermon 1 - Khutba without use of "Aleef أ"
One day, a heated discussion went on among the Arabs and Muslims during which it was said that there is no alphabet that recurs in speech more often than the "aleef" ("A"). All attendants agreed. It was then that the magnificent lantern of language, its deep ocean and precise philosopher, namely Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (ع), stood up and delivered a lengthy sermon which included praise of Allah Almighty, prayers and salutations unto His Prophet, Muhammed ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib (peace and blessings of Allah be with him and his progeny).
This letter of the Arabic alphabet is undoubtedly the most commonly occurring character in the language. If composing a few meaningful sentences without dots is hard enough, how about delivering a sermon, one which is full of wisdom and which is many times the size of the one you have just seen, but without ever using a single alif !!
This sermon is usually called al-Khutbah al-Muniqah and is recorded by many Muslim scholars. Amongst the Sunni scholars who quote it can be mentioned:
Muhammad b. Muslim al-Shafi, Kifayat al-Talib, p. 248
Ibn Abil Hadid al-Mutazili, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah, vol. 19, p. 140
How could Imam Ali (a) accomplish such a feat?
Imam Ali (a) derived his vast knowledge and striking eloquence by virtue of his long and close association with the Prophet Muhammad (s). The Prophet (s), with Divine inspiration, was the source of all such knowledge and wisdom and a teacher par excellence for Imam Ali (a).
The statements of the entire sermon, from beginning to end,
حمدت من عظمت منته، و سبغت نعمته، و سبقت غضبه رحمته، و تمت كلمته، و نفذت مشيته، و بلغت حجته (قضيته)، و عدلت قضيته. حمدته حمد مقر بربوبيته، متخضع لعبوديته، متنصل من خطيئته، معترف بتوحيده، مستعيذ من وعيده، مؤمل من ربه رحمة (مغفرة) تنجيه، يوم يشغل كل عن فصيلته و بنيه، و نستعينه و نسترشده و نستهديه، و نؤمن به و نتوكل عليه. و شهدت له تشهد عبد مخلص موقن، و فردته تفريد مؤمن متق و وحدته توحيد عبد مذعن، ليس له شريك في ملكه و لم يكن له ولي في صنعه؛ جل عن مشير و وزير، و تنزه عن مثل وعون و معين و نظير، علم فستر و بطن فخبر، و نظر فجبر، و ملك فقهر؛ و عصي فغفر، و عبد فشكر، و حكم فعدل، و تكرم و تفضل،. لن يزول و لم يزل، ليس كمثله شيء، و هو قبل كل شيء و بعد كل شيء رب متفرد بعزته، متمكن بقوته، متقدس بعلوه، متكبر بسموه، ليس يدركه بصر و لم يحط به نظر، قوي منيع، بصير سميع، حليم حكيم، رؤوف رحيم، عجز عن وصفه من وصفه، و ظل نعته من نعته، وصل به من نعمته من يعرفه، قرب فبعد، و بعد فقرب، يجيب دعوة من يدعوه، و يرزق عبده و يحبوه، ذو لطف خفي، و بطش قوي، و رحمة موسعة، و عقوبة موجعة، و رحمته جنة عريضة مونقة، و عقوبته جحيم موصدة موبقة (موثقة).
و شهدت ببعث محمد (ص) عبده و رسوله، و نبيه و صفيه و حبيبه و خليله، صلة تحظيه، و تزلفه و تعليه، و تقربه و تدنيه، بعثه في خير عصر و حين فترة كفر، رحمة لعبيده و منة لمزيده، ختم به نبوته، و قوى (وضح) به حجته، فوعظ و نصح و بلغ و كدح، رؤوف بكل مؤمن رحيم، رضي ولي سخي زكي، عليه رحمة و تسليم و بركة و تكريم، من رب غفور رؤوف رحيم، قريب مجيب حكيم. وصيتكم معشر من حضرني بتقوى (بوصية) ربكم، و ذكرتكم بسنة نبيكم، فعليكم برهبة تسكن قلوبكم، و خشية تذرف دموعكم، و تقية تنجيكم يوم يذهلكم و يبليكم، يوم يفوز فيه من ثقل وزن حسنته، و خف وزن سيئته. لتكن مسألتكم مسألة (سؤل) ذل و خضوع و شكر و خشوع، و توبة و نزوع، و ندم و رجوع، و ليغتنم كل مغتنم منكم صحته قبل سقمه، و شبيبته قبل هرمه فكبره و مرضه، و سعته قبل فقره و خلوته (فرغته) قبل شغله، و ثروته قبل فقره، و حضره قبل سفره، و حيته قبل موته، ثم يكبر و يهن و يهرم و يمرض و يسقم و يمل طبيبه و يعرض عنه حبيبه، و ينقطع عمره و يتغير لونه، و يقل عقله، ثم قيل: هو موعوك و جسمه منهوك، قد جد في نزع شديد، و حضره قريب و بعيد، فشخص ببصره و طمح بنظره و رشح جبينه و خطف عرنينه و سكن حنينه و جنبت نفسه و بكته عرسه و حفر رمسه و يتم منه ولده و تفرق عنه عدده (عدوه و صديقه)، و قسم جمعه و ذهب بصره و سمعه، و لقن و مدد، و وجه و جرد، و غسل و عري و نشف و سجي، و بسط له و هيئ، و نشر عليه كفنه، و شدد منه ذقنه، و قبض و ودع ، و قمص و عمم و لف و سلم و حمل فوق سرير و صلي عليه بتكبير بغير سجود و تعفير و نقل من دور مزخرفة و قصور مشيدة و حجر منضدة، فجعل في ضريح ملحود، ضيق مرصود، بلبن منضود، مسقف بجلمود، و هيل عليه عفره و حثي عليه مدره، فتحقق حذره، و تخفق صدره، و نسي خبره، و رجع عنه وليه و صفيه و نديمه و نسيبه و حميمه، و تبدل به قرينه و حبيبه، فهو حشو قبر و رهين قفر، يسعى في جسمه دود قبره، و يسيل صديده في منخره على صدره و نحره، تسحق تربته لحمه و ينشف دمه و يرق عظمه و يقم في قبره حتى يوم حشره و نشره، فينشر من قبره و ينفخ في صوره و يدعى لحشره و نشوره، فثم بعثرت قبور و حصلت سريرة في صدور و جئ بكل نبي و صديق و شهيد و نطيق، و وقف لفصل حكمه عند رب قدير بعبيده خبير بصير، فكم من زفرة تضفيه و حسرة تنضيه (تقصيه)، في موقف مهول و مشهد جليل، بين يدي ملك عظيم، بكل صغيرة و كبيرة عليم، يلجمه عرقه و يجفوه قلقه، فعبرته غير مرحومة و صرخته (حجته) غير مقبولة، و برزت صحيفته و تبينت جريرته، و نطق كل عضو منه بسوء عمله، فشهدت عينه بنظره و يده ببطشه و رجله بخطوه و جلده بلمسه و فرجه بمسه، و يهدده منكر و نكير، و كشف له حيث يسير، فسلسل جيده و غلت يده و سيق يسحب وحده، فورد جهنم بكرب و شده، فظل يعذب في جحيم، و يسقى من حميم، يشوي وجهه و يسلخ جلده، يضربه زبانيته بمقمع من حديد، و يعود جلده بعد نضجه كجلد جديد، يستغيث فتعرض عنه خزنة جهنم، و يستصرخ فيلبث حقبة بندم، فلم يجده ندمه، و لم ينفعه حينئذ ندمه. نعوذ برب قدير من شر كل مصير، و نطلب منه عفو من رضى عنه، و مغفرة من قبل منه، فهو ولي سؤلي و منجح طلبتي، فمن زحزح عن تعذيب ربه سكن في جنته بقربه و خلد في قصور مشيده، و ملك حور عين و حفدة، و طيف عليه بكؤوس و سكن حضير فردوس، و تقلب في نعيم، و سقي من تسنيم و شرب من عين سلسبيل ممزوجة بزنجبيل، مختومة بمسك و عبير، مستديم للسرور و مستشعر للحبور، يشرب من خمور، في روضة مغدق ليس يصدع من شربه و ليس ينزف، هذا منقلب من خشى ربه و حذر ذنبه و نفسه، و تلك عقوبة من عصى منشئه و سولت له نفسه معصية مبدئه، ذلك قول فصل، و حكمة حكم عدل، قص قصص، و وعظ نص، تنزيل من حكيم حميد، نزل به روح قدس مبين (متين) من عند رب كريم على نبي مهتد مهدي رشيد رحمة للمؤمنين، مبين من عند رب كريم، و سيد حلت عليه سفرة، مكرمون بررة.
عذت برب عليم حكيم، قدير رحيم، من شر عدو و لعين رجيم، فليتضرع متضرعكم، و يبتهل مبتهلكم، و يستغفر رب كل مربوب لي و لكم.
ثم قرأ بعدها قوله تعالى: {تلك الدار الآخرة نجعلها للذين لا يريدون علوا في الأرض ولا فسادا والعاقبة للمتقين } (القصص: 83).
Interestingly this Khutba was translated into URDU ALSO w/o using a single Alphabet of Alif !!
URDU PDFEnglish Translation
I praise the One Whose boon is great, whose blessing overwhelms, whose mercy is faster than His anger, the One whose word is perfect, whose will is affected, whose argument (issue) is wise, whose case is just.
I praise Him like one recognizing His Godhead, submissive while adoring Him, dissociating himself from his sin, recognizing His Unity, seeking refuge with Him against His warning, hopeful for the mercy (forgiveness) of his Lord that saves him [from the Fire] on a Day when everyone will be distracted even from his offspring and tribe.
We seek His help, guidance and directions.
We believe in Him and depend on Him.
I have testified to Him as a sincere and convinced servant/slave; I recognize His Uniqueness as a pious believer, and I have recognized His Unity like a submissive servant/slave.
He has no partner in His domain; He relies on none in doing whatever He does.
He is exalted above having an adviser or a vizier.
He is above using a model or an assistant or a helper or a peer.
He knows, so He covers; He is acquainted with the innermost, so He is most familiar [with our intentions].
He cast a look, so He assisted; He owns everything, so He subdues.
He is disobeyed, yet He forgives; He is adored, so He thanks.
He rules, so He affects justice, and He is generous and grants favors.
He shall never come to an end, and He has always been as He is; there is nothing like Him.
He, first and foremost, is a unique Lord in His exaltation, able through His might, holy through His sublimity, proud of His Majesty; no (mental) vision can realize Him, nor can anyone ever see Him.
He is strong, invincible, seeing, hearing, clement, wise, affectionate and kind.
One who attempts to describe Him can never do so; one who attempts to describe His attributes can never do so [either].
His blessing reaches those who get to know Him: He is near, so He is far [above mental or physical vision]; He is far yet He is near [closer to us than anything else].
He responds to the call of those who call on Him; He sustains His servant and surrounds him with His love; His niceties are hidden [from our comprehension]; His power is mighty; His mercy is wide; His penalty is painful; His mercy is a broad and a Garden of grandeur (Paradise); His punishment is Hell filled with horrors and chains.
I have testified that He sent Muhammed (ص) as His servant and messenger, prophet, chosen one, loved one, friend, a link [with the Almighty] that grants him [Muhammed] fortune, bringing him closer to Him, elevating him, granting him nearness and closeness [to the Almighty].
He sent him during a good (opportune) period of time, when there was disbelief, as mercy for His servants and a boon for more.
Through him He sealed His prophetic messages, strengthened (explained) His argument.
So he admonished, advised, conveyed the message and worked hard [for people.
He was, affectionate towards every believer, merciful, easy to please, the friend of anyone who is generous and pure: mercy, salutation, blessing and honor be with him from a forgiving, affectionate, kind, near, responsive and wise Lord.
I have admonished you, O folks who are present here with me, to be pious (as your Lord has admonished) towards your Lord, and I have reminded you of the Sunna of your Prophet; so, take to awe that calms your hearts, fear that draws your tears, piety that saves you on a Day which will puzzle your minds and put you to the test, a day in which one shall win if the weight of his good deeds is heavy while that of his sins is light.
Let your plea be in humility and surrender, appreciation and submission, repentance and dissociation [from sin], regret and return [to righteousness].
Let everyone of you seize the opportunity when he is healthy before the time when he is sick, when he is young before he is aged, old and sick, [the opportunity] of his ease before he is poor, of having free time before he is busy, of being wealthy before being impoverished, of being present at home before he is away traveling, of being alive before his death.
He shall grow old, become weak, aged, sick, ailing, so much so that even his doctor is fed-up with him, even those who love him turn away from him.
His lifespan will have come to an end.
His color of complexion is changed.
His mental power is decreased, so it is said that he is ailing and his body is failing.
He is having a hard time as he finds himself suffering from the throes of death: He is attended by those who are close and who are distant.
He gazes his looks, yearns as he turns his eyes, his forehead sweating, his [physical] senses being snatched away from him [one by one].
His sighs are now silent, his soul has departed, so he is mourned by his wife.
His grave is dug, his children are now orphans, those who were around him (his friends or foes) are now dispersed from around him.
What he had accumulated (legacy) has now been divided [among heirs].
Gone now are his faculty of seeing and hearing; so he receives Talqeen; he is stretched [on the ground] and directed [towards the Qibla].
He is stripped of his clothes, bathed, in the nude, dried then directed [towards the Qibla].
Something has been spread on the floor for him as his shrouds are being prepared.
His chin has been tied, his soul has already departed from his body and he has been bidden farewell by all.
He is now shrouded, his head wrapped, so is his body, and he has been handed over [for burial].
He is carried in a wooden box (coffin); his funeral prayers have been performed with Takbir but without prostration or the rubbing of the forehead.
He is taken away from a decorated abode [this life], from well built mansions and chambers topping each other, so he is now in an enclosure of a grave which is very narrow and separated from others; it is built with baked clay on top of each other and is sealed with a rock.
Dust has been healed on him, so he now is sure about that of which he was warned; his chest is now heavy; he is now a thing of the past.
His friends, chosen ones, companions, in-laws and close friends have all left him behind.
His company and loved ones are now changed, for he is now nothing but the filling of a grave and the pawn of a waste: Worms crawl all over his body, his pus drips from his nostrils on his neck and chest.
Soil crushes his flesh as his blood dries and bone decays.
He remains in his grave till the Day when he is herded with others and is given a new life; so, he is taken out of his grave.
His trumpet is blown, he is called on to gather with others and stand trial.
Graves are scattered around, the innermost in the hearts are recorded and calculated.
Every prophet, Siddiq, martyr, anyone who speaks is brought and made to stand for the final judgment of an Able God Who is fully knowledgeable of His servants, seeing [all what they do].
Countless exhalations engulf him, sighs fade him (distance him), in a horrific position and an awesome scene before a Great King Who knows about everything small and big.
He is reined by his sweat, his worry crushing him, yet his tear has none to feel sorry for, his scream (defense) is not accepted.
His record of deeds is brought, his innermost becomes visible, and every part of his body now speaks of his wrongdoings: His eyes testify about what he had seen, his hands about whom he beat, his legs about where he had gone, his skin about what he had contacted, his private parts about with whom he had had intercourse.
He is threatened by Munkir and Nakir; and it is unveiled for him where he is heading; so his neck now is tied with chains and his hands are cuffed.
He is taken alone, dragged and brought to Hell as he is in a great distress and hardship.
He remains in the torment of hell given to drink of very hot pus that grills his face and separates his skin from his body.
He is beaten by the torture angels of hell with iron clubs.
His skin returns again and again anew after having been baked.
He cries for help, yet even the angels in Hell turn away from him.
He pleads for mercy, so he stays for a while regretful, yet he finds none to care about his regret.
His regret will then be in vain.
We seek refuge with an Able Lord from the evil of any final end such as this, and we plead for forgiveness similar to that of one with whom He is pleased and for an overlooking similar to that of one whose good deeds He has accepted; for He is my Master, ultimate pursuit and the one Who grants success to what I seek.
Surely one who is pushed away from the torment of his Lord shall reside in Paradise near to Him and remain forever in well built mansions, having huris with large lovely eyes and servants.
He is given to drink of fresh cool water mixed with ginger and sealed with musk and fragrance that perpetuates happiness and provides the sense of pleasure.
He drinks of wines in an orchard filled with all types of pleasures, wine that does not cause any headache to one who drinks it, and it never runs out; such is the ultimate end of one who fears his Lord, who is on guard about his sin, about the insinuations of his nafs (self), and that was the penalty of one who opposes the [sinless] way [in which] he was created, the one whose evil self decorates for him to do what is against his nature.
Such is the final judgment and the ruling of One Who is just: He narrated parables, admonished through texts, revealed revelations from a Praiseworthy Wise One, revelations which He descended with a clear (able) Holy Spirit [arch-angel Gabriel] from a Glorious Lord unto a Prophet who is rightly guided and who guides others, one who shows others the right way, a mercy to the believers, clearly from a Great Lord, a master frequented by messengers (angels) who are honored and obedient [of their Lord].
I have sought refuge with a Lord Who is knowing, wise, able, merciful, from the evil of an enemy who is cursed and stoned; so, let everyone who pleads plead, and let everyone who seeks [favors of his Lord] seek and ask forgiveness of the Lord of lords for myself and for you all.
Having finished his miraculous sermon, the Imam (ع) recited this following verse of the Holy Qur'an: "We shall grant that (eternal) abode of the hereafter to those who intend neither high-handedness nor mischief on earth, and such end is (the best reward) for the righteous" (Qur'an, 28:83).
The text below is originally published on pp. 188 n 197 of my book titled Mary and Jesus in Islam which was published by AuthorHouse of Bloomington, Indiana, and released to the public on December 19, 2011. It is slightly edited from the original, and the editing includes the removal of accented characters, Arabic salutations, etc., so it may be easier to be read by any MS Word user. You are at liberty to quote this text, re-print it, circulate it, use it in your thesis, dissertation, term paper, post it on your web site or use it in any other way you see fit, and when you do, rest assured that the Almighty, Who loves the Imam (as) very much, will be very pleased with you and will reward you in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. May Allah enable all of us to achieve such a great blessing beyond which there is no other blessing at all, Allahomma Aameen.
In order to portray for the reader the command which Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) had of Arabic,these two miraculous sermons which he composed serve as testimonies not only to such mastership but also to his genius:
source By Yasin T. Al-Jibouri sribid
Another Version of same Khutba
حمدت من عظمت منته، و سبغت نعمته، و سبقت غضبه رحمته، و تمت كلمته، و نفذت مشيته، و بلغت حجته (قضيته)، و عدلت قضيته. حمدته حمد مقر بربوبيته، متخضع لعبوديته، متنصل من خطيئته، معترف بتوحيده، مستعيذ من وعيده، مؤمل من ربه رحمة (مغفرة) تنجيه، يوم يشغل كل عن فصيلته و بنيه، و نستعينه و نسترشده و نستهديه، و نؤمن به و نتوكل عليه. و شهدت له تشهد عبد مخلص موقن، و فردته تفريد مؤمن متق و وحدته توحيد عبد مذعن، ليس له شريك في ملكه و لم يكن له ولي في صنعه؛ جل عن مشير و وزير، و تنزه عن مثل وعون و معين و نظير، علم فستر و بطن فخبر، و نظر فجبر، و ملك فقهر؛ و عصي فغفر، و عبد فشكر، و حكم فعدل، و تكرم و تفضل،. لن يزول و لم يزل، ليس كمثله شيء، و هو قبل كل شيء و بعد كل شيء رب متفرد بعزته، متمكن بقوته، متقدس بعلوه، متكبر بسموه، ليس يدركه بصر و لم يحط به نظر، قوي منيع، بصير سميع، حليم حكيم، رؤوف رحيم، عجز عن وصفه من وصفه، و ظل نعته من نعته، وصل به من نعمته من يعرفه، قرب فبعد، و بعد فقرب، يجيب دعوة من يدعوه، و يرزق عبده و يحبوه، ذو لطف خفي، و بطش قوي، و رحمة موسعة، و عقوبة موجعة، و رحمته جنة عريضة مونقة، و عقوبته جحيم موصدة موبقة (موثقة).
و شهدت ببعث محمد (P) عبده و رسوله، و نبيه و صفيه و حبيبه و خليله، صلة تحظيه، و تزلفه و تعليه، و تقربه و تدنيه، بعثه في خير عصر و حين فترة كفر، رحمة لعبيده و منة لمزيده، ختم به نبوته، و قوى (وضح) به حجته، فوعظ و نصح و بلغ و كدح، رؤوف بكل مؤمن رحيم، رضي ولي سخي زكي، عليه رحمة و تسليم و بركة و تكريم، من رب غفور رؤوف رحيم، قريب مجيب حكيم.
وصيتكم معشر من حضرني بتقوى ربكم، و ذكرتكم بسنة نبيكم، فعليكم برهبة تسكن قلوبكم، و خشية تذرف دموعكم، و تقية تنجيكم يوم يذهلكم و يبليكم، يوم يفوز فيه من ثقل وزن حسنته، و خف وزن سيئته. لتكن مسئلتكم سؤل ذل و خضوع و شكر و خشوع، و توبة و نزوع، و ندم و رجوع، و ليغتنم كل مغتنم منكم صحته قبل سقمه، و شبيبته قبل هرمه فكبره و مرضه، و سعته قبل فقره و خلوته (فرغته) قبل شغله، و ثروته قبل فقره، و حضره قبل سفره، و حيته قبل موته، ثم يكبر و يهن و يهرم و يمرض و يسقم و يمل طبيبه و يعرض عنه حبيبه، و ينقطع عمره و يتغير لونه، و يقل عقله، ثم قيل: هو موعوك و جسمه منهوك، قد جد في نزع شديد، و حضره قريب و بعيد، فشخص ببصره و طمح بنظره و رشح جبينه و خطف عرنينه و سكن حنينه و جنبت نفسه و بكته عرسه و حفر رمسه و يتم منه ولده و تفرق عنه عدده (عدوه و صديقه)، و قسم جمعه و ذهب بصره و سمعه، و لقن و مدد، و وجه و جرد، و غسل و عري و نشف و سجي، و بسط له و هيئ، و نشر عليه كفنه، و شدد منه ذقنه، و قبض و ودع ، و قمص و عمم و لف و سلم و حمل فوق سرير و صلي عليه بتكبير بغير سجود و تعفير و نقل من دور مزخرفة و قصور مشيدة و حجر منضدة، فجعل في ضريح ملحود، ضيق مرصود، بلبن منضود، مسقف بجلمود، و هيل عليه عفره و حثي عليه مدره، فتحقق حذره، و تخفق صدره، و نسي خبره، و رجع عنه وليه و صفيه و نديمه و نسيبه و حميمه، و تبدل به قرينه و حبيبه، فهو حشو قبر و رهين قفر، يسعى في جسمه دود قبره، و يسيل صديده في منخره على صدره و نحره، تسحق تربته لحمه و ينشف دمه و يرق عظمه و يقم في قبره حتى يوم حشره و نشره، فينشر من قبره و ينفخ في صوره و يدعى لحشره و نشوره، فثم بعثرت قبور و حصلت سريرة في صدور و جئ بكل نبي و صديق و شهيد و نطيق، و وقف لفصل حكمه عند رب قدير بعبيده خبير بصير، فكم من زفرة تضفيه و حسرة تنضيه (تقصيه)، في موقف مهول و مشهد جليل، بين يدي ملك عظيم، بكل صغيرة و كبيرة عليم، يلجمه عرقه و يجفوه قلقه، فعبرته غير مرحومة و صرخته (حجته) غير مقبولة، و برزت صحيفته و تبينت جريرته، و نطق كل عضو منه بسوء عمله، فشهدت عينه بنظره و يده ببطشه و رجله بخطوه و جلده بلمسه و فرجه بمسه، و يهدده منكر و نكير، و كشف له حيث يسير، فسلسل جيده و غلت يده و سيق يسحب وحده، فورد جهنم بكرب و شده، فظل يعذب في جحيم، و يسقى من حميم، يشوي وجهه و يسلخ جلده، يضربه زبانيته بمقمع من حديد، و يعود جلده بعد نضجه كجلد جديد، يستغيث فتعرض عنه خزنة جهنم، و يستصرخ فيلبث حقبة بندم، فلم يجده ندمه، و لم ينفعه حينئذ ندمه. نعوذ برب قدير من شر كل مصير، و نطلب منه عفو من رضى عنه، و مغفرة من قبل منه، فهو ولي سؤلي و منجح طلبتي، فمن زحزح عن تعذيب ربه سكن في جنته بقربه و خلد في قصور مشيده، و ملك حور عين و حفدة، و طيف عليه بكؤوس و سكن حضير فردوس، و تقلب في نعيم، و سقي من تسنيم و شرب من عين سلسبيل ممزوجة بزنجبيل، مختومة بمسك و عبير، مستديم للسرور و مستشعر للحبور، يشرب من خمور، في روضة مغدق ليس يصدع من شربه و ليس ينزف، هذا منقلب من خشى ربه و حذر ذنبه و نفسه، و تلك عقوبة من عصى منشئه و سولت له نفسه معصية مبدئه، ذلك قول فصل، و حكمة حكم عدل، قص قصص، و وعظ نص، تنزيل من حكيم حميد، نزل به روح قدس مبين (متين) من عند رب كريم على نبي مهتد مهدي رشيد رحمة للمؤمنين، مبين من عند رب كريم، و سيد حلت عليه سفرة، مكرمون بررة.
عذت برب عليم حكيم، قدير رحيم، من شر عدو و لعين رجيم، فليتضرع متضرعكم، و يبتهل مبتهلكم، و يستغفر رب كل مربوب لي و لكم.
ثم قرأ بعدها قوله تعالى: (تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الأَرْضِ وَلا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ) (القصص: 83).
I praise the One Whose boon is great, whose blessing overwhelms, whose mercy is faster than His anger, the One whose word is perfect, whose will reigns, whose argument (issue) is wise, whose case is just.
I praise Him as one recognizing His Godhead, submissive while adoring Him, dissociating himself from his sin, recognizing His Unity, seeking refuge with Him against His warning, hopeful for the mercy (forgiveness) of his Lord that saves him [from the Fire] on a Day when everyone will be distracted even from his offspring and tribe.
We seek His help, guidance and directions.
We believe in Him and depend on Him.
I have testified to Him as a sincere and convinced servant/slave; I recognize His Uniqueness as a pious believer, and I have recognized His Unity like a submissive servant/slave.
He has no partner in His domain; He relies on none in doing whatever He does.
He is exalted above having an advisor or a vizier.
He is above using a model or an assistant or a helper or a peer.
He knows, so He covers; He is acquainted with the innermost, so He is most familiar [with our intentions].
He cast a look, so He assisted; He owns everything, so He subdues.
He is disobeyed, yet He forgives; He is adored, so He thanks.
He rules, so He affects justice, and He is generous and grants favors.
He shall never come to an end, and He has always been as He is; there is nothing like Him.
He, first and foremost, is a unique Lord in His exaltation, able through His might, holy through His sublimity, proud of His Majesty; no (mental) vision can realize Him, nor can anyone ever see Him.
He is strong, invincible, seeing, hearing, clement, wise, affectionate and kind.
One who attempts to describe Him can never do so; one who attempts to describe His attributes can never do so [either].
His blessing reaches those who get to know Him: He is near, so He is far [above mental or physical vision]; He is far yet He is near [closer to us than anything else].
He responds to the call of those who call on Him; He sustains His servant and surrounds him with His love; His niceties are hidden [from our comprehension]; His power is mighty; His mercy is wide; His penalty is painful; His mercy is broad, a Garden of grandeur (Paradise); His punishment is Hell filled with horrors and chains.
I have testified that He sent Muhammed (P) as His servant and messenger, prophet, chosen one, loved one, friend, a link [with the Almighty] that grants him [Muhammed (P)] fortune, bringing him closer to Him, elevating him, granting him nearness and closeness [to the Almighty].
He sent him during a good (opportune) period of time, when there was disbelief, as mercy for His servants and a boon for more.
Through him He sealed His prophetic messages, strengthened (explained) His argument.
So he admonished, advised, conveyed the message and worked hard [for people].
He was affectionate towards every believer, merciful, easy to please, the friend of anyone who is generous and pure: mercy, salutation, blessing and honor with him from a forgiving, affectionate, kind, near, responsive and wise Lord.
I have admonished you, O folks who are present here with me, to be pious towards your Lord (as He has admonished), and I have reminded you of the Sunnah of your Prophet; so, take to awe that calms your hearts, fear that draws your tears, piety that saves you on a Day which will puzzle your minds and put you to the test, a day on which one shall win if the weight of his good deeds is heavy while that of his sins is light.
Let your plea be in humility and surrender, appreciation and submission, repentance and dissociation [from sin], regret and return [to righteousness].
Let everyone of you seize the opportunity when he is healthy before the time when he is sick, when he is young before he is aged, old and sick, [the opportunity] of his ease before he is poor, of having free time before he is busy, of being wealthy before being impoverished, of being present at home before he is away traveling, of being alive before his death.
He shall grow old, become weak, aged, sick, ailing, so much so that even his doctor is fed-up with him, even those who love him turn away from him.
His lifespan will have come to an end.
His color of complexion is changed.
His mental power is decreased, so it is said that he is ailing and his body is failing.
He is having a hard time as he finds himself suffering from the throes of death: He is attended by those who are close and who are distant.
He gazes, yearns as he turns his eyes, his forehead sweating, his [physical] senses being snatched away from him [one by one].
His sighs are now silent, his soul has departed, so he is mourned by his wife.
His grave is dug, his children are now orphans, those who were around him (his friends or foes) are now dispersed from him.
What he had accumulated (legacy) has now been divided [among his heirs].
Gone are now his faculties of seeing and hearing; so he receives Talqeen; he is stretched [on the ground] and directed [towards the Qibla].
He is stripped of his clothes, bathed naked, body wiped then directed [towards the Qibla].
Something has been spread on the floor for him as his shrouds are being prepared.
His chin has been tied, his soul has already departed from his body and he has been bidden farewell by all.
He is now shrouded, his head wrapped, so is his body, and he has been handed over [for burial].
He is carried in a wooden box (coffin); his funeral prayers have been performed with Takbir but without prostration or the rubbing of the forehead.
He is taken away from a decorated abode [this life], from well built mansions and chambers topping each other, so he is now in an enclosure of a grave which is very narrow and separated from others; it is built with baked clay on top of each other and is sealed with a head stone.
Dust has been healed on him, so he now is sure about that of which he was warned; his chest is now heavy; he is now a thing of the past.
His friends, chosen ones, companions, in-laws and close friends have all left him behind.
His company and loved ones are now changed, for he is now nothing but the filling of a grave and the pawn of a waste: Worms crawl all over his body, his pus drips from his nostrils on his neck and chest.
Soil crushes his flesh as his blood dries and bone decays.
He remains in his grave till the Day when he is herded with others and is given a new life; so, he is taken out of his grave.
His trumpet is blown, he is called on to gather with others and stand trial.
Graves are scattered around, the innermost in the hearts is recorded and computed.
Every prophet, Siddiq, martyr, anyone who speaks is brought and made to stand for the final judgment of an Able God Who is fully knowledgeable of His servants, seeing [all what they do].
Countless exhalations engulf him, sighs fade him (distance him), in a horrific position and an awesome scene before a Great King Who knows about everything small and big.
He is reined by his sweat, his worry crushing him, yet his tear has none to feel sorry for, his scream (defense) is not accepted.
His record of deeds is brought, his innermost becomes visible, and every part of his body now speaks of his wrongdoings: His eyes testify about what he had seen, his hands about those whom he beat, his legs about where he had gone, his skin about what he had contacted, his private parts about with whom he had had intercourse.
He is threatened by Munkir and Nakeer; and it is unveiled for him where he is heading; so his neck now is tied with chains and his hands are cuffed.
He is taken alone, dragged and brought to Hell as he is in a great distress and hardship.
He remains in the torment of hell given to drink of very hot pus that grills his face and separates his skin from his body.
He is beaten by the torture angels of hell with iron clubs.
His skin returns again and again anew after having been baked.
He cries for help, yet even the angels in Hell turn away from him.
He pleads for mercy, so he stays for a while regretful, yet he finds none to care about his regret.
His regret will then be in vain.
We seek refuge with an Able Lord from the evil of any final end such as this, and we plead for forgiveness similar to that of one with whom He is pleased and for an overlooking similar to that of one whose good deeds He has accepted; for He is my Master, ultimate pursuit and the one Who grants success to what I seek.
Surely one who is pushed away from the torment of his Lord shall reside in Paradise near Him and shall remain forever in well built mansions, having huris with large lovely eyes and servants.
He is given to drink of fresh cool water mixed with ginger and sealed with musk and fragrance that perpetuates happiness and provides the sense of pleasure.
He drinks of wines in an orchard filled with all types of pleasures, wine that does not cause any headache to one who drinks it, and it never runs out; such is the ultimate end of one who fears his Lord, who is on guard about his sin, about the insinuations of his nafs (self), and that was the penalty of one who goes against the [sinless] way [in which] he was created, the one whose evil self decorates for him to do what is against his nature.
Such is the final judgment and the ruling of One Who is just: He narrated parables, admonished through texts, sent revelations from a Praiseworthy Wise One, revelations which He sent down with a clear (able) Holy Spirit [arch-angel Gabriel] from a Glorious Lord unto a Prophet who is rightly guided and who guides others, one who shows others the right way, a mercy to the believers, clearly from a Great Lord, a master frequented by messengers (angels) who are honored and obedient [of their Lord].
I have sought refuge with a Lord Who is knowing, wise, able, merciful, from the evil of an enemy who is cursed and stoned; so, let everyone who pleads plead, and let everyone who seeks [favors of his Lord] seek and ask forgiveness of the Lord of lords for myself and for you all.
Having finished his miraculous sermon, the Imam (as) recited this following verse of the Holy Quran: "We shall grant that (eternal) abode of the hereafter to those who intend neither high-handedness nor mischief on earth, and such end is (the best reward) for the righteous" (Quran, 28:83).
A Sermon without Dots (nuqta)
خطبة خالية من النقطة:
The knowledge, wisdom and eloquence of Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (a) is well known among Muslims of all schools of thought. One such example of his mastery over the Arabic language manifested itself in this extempore sermon which, in its written form, is devoid of any dots !!
This sermon appears to have been delivered by Imam Ali (a) on the occasion of someones marriage (nikah), and may well have been his own marriage. It has been quoted by several scholars such as:
Muhammad Rida al-Hakimi, Saluni qabl an tafqiduni, vol. 2, pp. 442-3.
Sayyid al-Musawi, al-Qatarah min bihar manaqib Aal-Nabi wa al-`Itrah, vol. 2, p. 179
Hasun al-Dulafi, Fadail Aal al-Rasul, p. 6
Those who know Arabic or can at least read the Quranic script will appreciate that certain letters of the Arabic alphabet have dots associated with them. These letters are used all the time in Arabic speech and written texts.ي ث خ ت ن ظ ف خ ج
To create any written script of any meaningful nature, without using any of these letters, is a difficult task. To deliver such a sermon without prior preparation, as Imam Ali (a) is known to have done with all his sermons, is truly amazing!
[Note: The letter representing taa marbutah used to be written without dots in early Arabic script]
Following is a sermon by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (ع) all Arabic letters of which do not contain any dots at all:
هذه خطبة لأمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب (ع) جميع حروف كلماتها خالية من ذكر "النقطة":
الحمد لله الملك المحمود، المالك الودود، مصور كل مولود، ومآل كل مطرود، ساطح المهاد وموطد الأطواد، ومرسل الأمطار ومسهل الأوطار، عالم الأسرار ومدركها، ومدمر الأملاك ومهلكها، ومكور الدهور ومكررها، ومورد الأمور ومصدرها، عم سماحه وكمل ركامه، وهمل، طاول السؤال والأمل، وأوسع الرمل وأرمل، أحمده حمدا ممدودا، وأوحده كما وحد الأواه، وهو الله لا إله للأمم سواه، ولا صادع لما عدل له وسواه، أرسل محمدا علما للإسلام وإماما للحكام، سددا للرعاع ومعطل أحكام ود وسواع، أعلم وعلم، وحكم وأحكم، وأصل الأصول، ومهد وأكد الموعود وأوعد، أوصل الله له الإكرام، وأودع روحه الإسلام، ورحم آله وأهله الكرام، ما لمع رائل وملع دال، وطلع هلال، وسمع إهلال. إعملوا رعاكم الله أصلح الأعمال، واسلكوا مسالك الحلال، واطرحوا الحرام ودعوه، واسمعوا أمر الله وعوه، و صلوا الأرحام و راعوها، وآعصوا الأهواء وآردعوها، وصاهروا أهل الصلاح والورع، و صارموا رهط اللهو والطمع، ومصاهركم أطهر الأحرار مولدا وأسراهم سؤددا، وأحلامكم موردا، وها هو إمامكم وحل حرمكم مملكا، عروسكم المكرمه، وما مهر لها كما مهر رسول الله أم سلمه، وهو أكرم صهر، و أودع الأولاد، وملك ما أراد، وما سهل مملكه ولا هم ولا وكس ملاحمه ولا وصم، اسأل الله لكم أحمد وصاله، ودوام إسعاده، وألهم كلا إصلاح حاله والأعداد لمآ له ومعاده، وله الحمد السرمد، والمدح لرسوله أحمد.
English Translation :-
Praise to Allah Who is the praiseworthy, the affectionate owner of everything, the One who forms everyone born, the ultimate end of everyone who is expelled, the One Who spreads out the earth, Who firms the mountains, Who sends out rain, who facilitates the attainment of goals, Who knows the secrets and realizes them, Who destroys the possessions and annihilates them, who folds out times and repeats them, who causes matters and is their source.
His forgiveness covers all, His creation of the clouds is perfected: Rain showers succeed it. He prolongs pursuits and hopes, broadens sands and places them.
I praise Him an extended praise, and I recognize His unity just as those who love Him the most recognize: He is Allah, there is no god for the nations besides Him, nor is there anyone to cause a defect to what he straightens and does.
He sent Muhammed as a banner for Islam and an Imam for those who rule, a helper to the commoners and one who puts an end to the judgments of Wadd and Siwa' (idols).
He knows and He informs, He rules and He perfects: He is the origin of origins.
He [Muhammed] paves the path [to the Almighty] and emphasizes the Promised Day, warning about it.
Allah has made honors to reach him, depositing in his soul Islam, blessing his honorable family and offspring so long as there is anything that shines like lightning, anyone who hurries his pace towards his pursuit, whenever a crescent appears and the announcement about it is made.
Do, may Allah look after you, righteous deeds, tread the paths of what is permissible, put what is prohibitive aside and abandon it, listen to the command of Allah and realize it, keep in touch with your kinsfolk and look after them, disobey your inclinations and curb them, give your daughters by way of marriage to the people of righteousness and piety, and stay away from the folks who sport and who covet, so your marriage ties will produce the most pure of freemen, the most eminent descent, those who will let you achieve your dreams.
This should be before your eyes, your domain will thus be rightful, your brides honored, and let her [bride] dower be just as the Messenger of Allah (ص) had paid to Umm Salamah, while he is the most honored of all in-laws, the most kind of all sons, and he had whatever he wanted, though having it was not easy, nor did it worry him, nor did his epics ever diminish, nor was he ever stigmatized.
I plead to Allah to grant you the most praiseworthy of connection with Him, the perpetuation of pleasing Him; may He inspire each of you about that which reforms your condition and prepares you for what you shall receive [in the Hereafter].
Eternal praise belongs to Him; lauding belongs to His Messenger Ahmed (ص).
Another Version
خطبة خالية من النقطة:
هذه خطبة لأمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب (ع) جميع حروف كلماتها خالية من "النقطة":
الحمد لله الملك المحمود، المالك الودود، مصور كل مولود، ومآل كل مطرود، ساطح المهاد وموطد الأطواد، ومرسل الأمطار ومسهل الأوطار، عالم الأسرار ومدركها، ومدمر الأملاك ومهلكها، ومكور الدهور ومكررها، ومورد الأمور ومصدرها، عم سماحه وكمل ركامه، وهمل، طاول السؤال والأمل، وأوسع الرمل وأرمل، أحمده حمدا ممدودا، وأوحده كما وحد الأواه، وهو الله لا إله للأمم سواه، ولا صادع لما عدل له وسواه، أرسل محمدا علما للإسلام وإماما للحكام، سددا للرعاع ومعطل أحكام ود وسواع، أعلم وعلم، وحكم وأحكم، وأصل الأصول، ومهد وأكد الموعود وأوعد، أوصل الله له الإكرام، وأودع روحه الإسلام، ورحم آله وأهله الكرام، ما لمع رائل وملع دال، وطلع هلال، وسمع إهلال.
إعملوا رعاكم الله أصلح الأعمال، واسلكوا مسالك الحلال، واطرحوا الحرام ودعوه، واسمعوا أمر الله وعوه، و صلوا الأرحام و راعوها، وآعصوا الأهواء وآردعوها، وصاهروا أهل الصلاح والورع، و صارموا رهط اللهو والطمع، ومصاهركم أطهر الأحرار مولدا وأسراهم سؤددا، وأحلامكم موردا، وها هو إمامكم وحل حرمكم مملكا، عروسكم المكرمه، وما مهر لها كما مهر رسول الله أم سلمه، وهو أكرم صهر، و أودع الأولاد، وملك ما أراد، وما سهل مملكه ولا هم ولا وكس ملاحمه ولا وصم، اسأل الله لكم أحمد وصاله، ودوام إسعاده، وألهم كلا إصلاح حاله والأعداد لمآ له ومعاده، وله الحمد السرمد، والمدح لرسوله أحمد.
Translation
Praise to Allah Who is the praiseworthy, the affectionate owner of everything, the One who forms everyone born, the ultimate end of everyone who is expelled, the One Who spreads out the earth, Who firms the mountains, Who sends out rain, who facilitates the attainment of goals, Who knows the secrets and realizes them, Who destroys the possessions and annihilates them, who folds out times and repeats them, who causes matters and is their source.
His forgiveness covers all, His creation of the clouds is perfected: Rain showers succeed it.
He prolongs pursuits and hopes, broadens sands and places them.
I praise Him an extended praise, and I recognize His unity just as those who love Him the most recognize: He is Allah, there is no god for the nations besides Him, nor is there anyone to cause a defect to what He straightens and does.
He sent Muhammed (P) as a banner for Islam and an Imam for those who rule, a helper to the commoners and one who puts an end to the judgments of Wadd and Suwa' (idols).
He knows and He informs, He rules and He perfects: He is the origin of origins.
He [Muhammed (P)] paves the path [to the Almighty] and emphasizes the Promised Day, warning about it.
Allah has made honors in order to reach him, depositing in his soul Islam, blessing his honorable family and offspring so long as there is anything that shines like lightning, anyone who hurries his pace towards his pursuit, whenever a crescent appears and the announcement about it is made.
Do, may Allah look after you, righteous deeds, tread the paths of what is permissible, put what is prohibitive aside and abandon it, listen to the command of Allah and realize it, keep in touch with your kinsfolk and look after them.
Disobey your inclinations and curb them, give your daughters by way of marriage to the people of righteousness and piety, and stay away from the folks who sport and who covet, so your marriage ties may produce the most pure of freemen, the most eminent descent, those who will let you achieve your dreams.
This should be before your eyes, your domain will thus be rightful, your brides honored, and let her dower be just as the Messenger of Allah (P) had paid Umm Salamah, while he is the most honored of all in-laws, the most kind of all offspring, and he had whatever he wanted, though having it was not easy, nor did it worry him, nor did his epics ever diminish, nor was he ever stigmatized.
I plead to Allah to grant you the most praiseworthy of connection with Him, the perpetuation of pleasing Him; may He inspire each of you about that which reforms your condition and prepares you for what you shall receive [in the Hereafter].
Eternal praise belongs to Him; lauding belongs to His Messenger Ahmed (P).
This sermon appears to have been delivered by Imam Ali (a) on the occasion of someones marriage (nikah), and may well have been his own marriage. It has been quoted by several scholars such as:
Muhammad Rida al-Hakimi, Saluni qabl an tafqiduni, vol. 2, pp. 442-3.
Sayyid al-Musawi, al-Qatarah min bihar manaqib Aal-Nabi wa al-`Itrah, vol. 2, p. 179
Hasun al-Dulafi, Fadail Aal al-Rasul, p. 6
Those who know Arabic or can at least read the Quranic script will appreciate that certain letters of the Arabic alphabet have dots associated with them. These letters are used all the time in Arabic speech and written texts.ي ث خ ت ن ظ ف خ ج
To create any written script of any meaningful nature, without using any of these letters, is a difficult task. To deliver such a sermon without prior preparation, as Imam Ali (a) is known to have done with all his sermons, is truly amazing!
[Note: The letter representing taa marbutah used to be written without dots in early Arabic script]
Following is a sermon by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (ع)
الحمد لله الملك المحمود، المالك الودود، مصور كل مولود، ومآل كل مطرود، ساطح المهاد وموطد الأطواد، ومرسل الأمطار ومسهل الأوطار، عالم الأسرار ومدركها، ومدمر الأملاك ومهلكها، ومكور الدهور ومكررها، ومورد الأمور ومصدرها، عم سماحه وكمل ركامه، وهمل، طاول السؤال والأمل، وأوسع الرمل وأرمل، أحمده حمدا ممدودا، وأوحده كما وحد الأواه، وهو الله لا إله للأمم سواه، ولا صادع لما عدل له وسواه، أرسل محمدا علما للإسلام وإماما للحكام، سددا للرعاع ومعطل أحكام ود وسواع، أعلم وعلم، وحكم وأحكم، وأصل الأصول، ومهد وأكد الموعود وأوعد، أوصل الله له الإكرام، وأودع روحه الإسلام، ورحم آله وأهله الكرام، ما لمع رائل وملع دال، وطلع هلال، وسمع إهلال. إعملوا رعاكم الله أصلح الأعمال، واسلكوا مسالك الحلال، واطرحوا الحرام ودعوه، واسمعوا أمر الله وعوه، و صلوا الأرحام و راعوها، وآعصوا الأهواء وآردعوها، وصاهروا أهل الصلاح والورع، و صارموا رهط اللهو والطمع، ومصاهركم أطهر الأحرار مولدا وأسراهم سؤددا، وأحلامكم موردا، وها هو إمامكم وحل حرمكم مملكا، عروسكم المكرمه، وما مهر لها كما مهر رسول الله أم سلمه، وهو أكرم صهر، و أودع الأولاد، وملك ما أراد، وما سهل مملكه ولا هم ولا وكس ملاحمه ولا وصم، اسأل الله لكم أحمد وصاله، ودوام إسعاده، وألهم كلا إصلاح حاله والأعداد لمآ له ومعاده، وله الحمد السرمد، والمدح لرسوله أحمد.
His forgiveness covers all, His creation of the clouds is perfected: Rain showers succeed it. He prolongs pursuits and hopes, broadens sands and places them.
I praise Him an extended praise, and I recognize His unity just as those who love Him the most recognize: He is Allah, there is no god for the nations besides Him, nor is there anyone to cause a defect to what he straightens and does.
He sent Muhammed as a banner for Islam and an Imam for those who rule, a helper to the commoners and one who puts an end to the judgments of Wadd and Siwa' (idols).
He knows and He informs, He rules and He perfects: He is the origin of origins.
He [Muhammed] paves the path [to the Almighty] and emphasizes the Promised Day, warning about it.
Allah has made honors to reach him, depositing in his soul Islam, blessing his honorable family and offspring so long as there is anything that shines like lightning, anyone who hurries his pace towards his pursuit, whenever a crescent appears and the announcement about it is made.
Do, may Allah look after you, righteous deeds, tread the paths of what is permissible, put what is prohibitive aside and abandon it, listen to the command of Allah and realize it, keep in touch with your kinsfolk and look after them, disobey your inclinations and curb them, give your daughters by way of marriage to the people of righteousness and piety, and stay away from the folks who sport and who covet, so your marriage ties will produce the most pure of freemen, the most eminent descent, those who will let you achieve your dreams.
This should be before your eyes, your domain will thus be rightful, your brides honored, and let her [bride] dower be just as the Messenger of Allah (ص) had paid to Umm Salamah, while he is the most honored of all in-laws, the most kind of all sons, and he had whatever he wanted, though having it was not easy, nor did it worry him, nor did his epics ever diminish, nor was he ever stigmatized.
I plead to Allah to grant you the most praiseworthy of connection with Him, the perpetuation of pleasing Him; may He inspire each of you about that which reforms your condition and prepares you for what you shall receive [in the Hereafter].
Eternal praise belongs to Him; lauding belongs to His Messenger Ahmed (ص).
Another Version
هذه خطبة لأمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب (ع) جميع حروف كلماتها خالية من "النقطة":
الحمد لله الملك المحمود، المالك الودود، مصور كل مولود، ومآل كل مطرود، ساطح المهاد وموطد الأطواد، ومرسل الأمطار ومسهل الأوطار، عالم الأسرار ومدركها، ومدمر الأملاك ومهلكها، ومكور الدهور ومكررها، ومورد الأمور ومصدرها، عم سماحه وكمل ركامه، وهمل، طاول السؤال والأمل، وأوسع الرمل وأرمل، أحمده حمدا ممدودا، وأوحده كما وحد الأواه، وهو الله لا إله للأمم سواه، ولا صادع لما عدل له وسواه، أرسل محمدا علما للإسلام وإماما للحكام، سددا للرعاع ومعطل أحكام ود وسواع، أعلم وعلم، وحكم وأحكم، وأصل الأصول، ومهد وأكد الموعود وأوعد، أوصل الله له الإكرام، وأودع روحه الإسلام، ورحم آله وأهله الكرام، ما لمع رائل وملع دال، وطلع هلال، وسمع إهلال.
إعملوا رعاكم الله أصلح الأعمال، واسلكوا مسالك الحلال، واطرحوا الحرام ودعوه، واسمعوا أمر الله وعوه، و صلوا الأرحام و راعوها، وآعصوا الأهواء وآردعوها، وصاهروا أهل الصلاح والورع، و صارموا رهط اللهو والطمع، ومصاهركم أطهر الأحرار مولدا وأسراهم سؤددا، وأحلامكم موردا، وها هو إمامكم وحل حرمكم مملكا، عروسكم المكرمه، وما مهر لها كما مهر رسول الله أم سلمه، وهو أكرم صهر، و أودع الأولاد، وملك ما أراد، وما سهل مملكه ولا هم ولا وكس ملاحمه ولا وصم، اسأل الله لكم أحمد وصاله، ودوام إسعاده، وألهم كلا إصلاح حاله والأعداد لمآ له ومعاده، وله الحمد السرمد، والمدح لرسوله أحمد.
Praise to Allah Who is the praiseworthy, the affectionate owner of everything, the One who forms everyone born, the ultimate end of everyone who is expelled, the One Who spreads out the earth, Who firms the mountains, Who sends out rain, who facilitates the attainment of goals, Who knows the secrets and realizes them, Who destroys the possessions and annihilates them, who folds out times and repeats them, who causes matters and is their source.
His forgiveness covers all, His creation of the clouds is perfected: Rain showers succeed it.
He prolongs pursuits and hopes, broadens sands and places them.
I praise Him an extended praise, and I recognize His unity just as those who love Him the most recognize: He is Allah, there is no god for the nations besides Him, nor is there anyone to cause a defect to what He straightens and does.
He sent Muhammed (P) as a banner for Islam and an Imam for those who rule, a helper to the commoners and one who puts an end to the judgments of Wadd and Suwa' (idols).
He knows and He informs, He rules and He perfects: He is the origin of origins.
He [Muhammed (P)] paves the path [to the Almighty] and emphasizes the Promised Day, warning about it.
Allah has made honors in order to reach him, depositing in his soul Islam, blessing his honorable family and offspring so long as there is anything that shines like lightning, anyone who hurries his pace towards his pursuit, whenever a crescent appears and the announcement about it is made.
Do, may Allah look after you, righteous deeds, tread the paths of what is permissible, put what is prohibitive aside and abandon it, listen to the command of Allah and realize it, keep in touch with your kinsfolk and look after them.
Disobey your inclinations and curb them, give your daughters by way of marriage to the people of righteousness and piety, and stay away from the folks who sport and who covet, so your marriage ties may produce the most pure of freemen, the most eminent descent, those who will let you achieve your dreams.
This should be before your eyes, your domain will thus be rightful, your brides honored, and let her dower be just as the Messenger of Allah (P) had paid Umm Salamah, while he is the most honored of all in-laws, the most kind of all offspring, and he had whatever he wanted, though having it was not easy, nor did it worry him, nor did his epics ever diminish, nor was he ever stigmatized.
I plead to Allah to grant you the most praiseworthy of connection with Him, the perpetuation of pleasing Him; may He inspire each of you about that which reforms your condition and prepares you for what you shall receive [in the Hereafter].
Eternal praise belongs to Him; lauding belongs to His Messenger Ahmed (P).
Interestingly This Khutba was translated into URDU ALSO w/o using a single Alphabet of Alif !!'Tashhayo channel' Video below
This was translated by Mirza Jamal from Islamabad and published on 15th Feb 2006. Mirza Jamal was supported by Hujjatul Islam Sheikh Mohammad Shafa Najfi and Hujjatul Islam Syed Muzammil Hussain Naqvi. This was published with the support of Saaqib Akbar, President, Al-Baseerah, IslamabadURDU PDF
ابن ابی الحدید اپنی شرح نہج البلانہ میں ناقل ہیں کہ ایک دن صحابہ کرام میں یہ بحث ہورہی تھی کہ حروف تہجی میں سب سے زیادہ کثیر الاستعمال حرف کون سا ہے؟ طے یہ ہوا کہ کلام میں ”الف“ بغیر کام نہیں چل سکتا۔ یہ سن کر علی ابن ابی طالب کھڑے ہو گئے ، اور فی البدیہہ ایک ایسا خطبہ ارشاد فرمایا جو مفہوم کے اعتبار سے نہایت پر مغز اور بلیغ، لفظوں کے لحاظ سے انتہائی پر اثر ، اور فصیح ہے، پھر لطف یہ کہ منفی ہوتے ہوئے بھی ابتدا سے آخر تک آورد کی طرح الف سے بھی خالی ہے۔ اس خطبہ کے متعلق کمال الدین محمد بن طلحہ شافعی اپنی کتاب مطالب السئول میں یہ رائے ظاہر کرتے ہیں کہ یہ وہ خطبہ ہے جسے حضرت نے علم بیان کی پوری رعایت کے ساتھ بغیر الف کے ارتجالا پیش فرمایا ہے۔ یہ خطبہ آپ کے مختلف النوع علوم اور طرح طرح کے فضائل کا خزانہ ہے۔ ہم گواہی دیتے ہیں کہ یہ صرف عنایت ربانی تھی جس نے علوم و حکم کے باب صرف آپ کے لئے کھول رکھے تھے۔ یہاں تک کہ اس کے خالص اور طیب حصہ کو آپ کے لئے پیش کر دیا اور آپ کے قلب و زبان کے لئے معرفت حکمت و فصل خطاب کو مخصوص کر دیا ۔ رفع اشتباه کسی صاحب کو یہ شبہ نہ ہو کہ اس خطبہ کے ترجمہ میں ”الف“ نہ لانے کا جو التزام کیا گیا ہے تو (معاذ اللہ ) اس میں حضرت کا مقابلہ مقصود ہے۔ بلکہ عاجز کے کلام سے مقتدر کے کلام کی رفعت و بلندی کا اندازہ لگائیں۔ ادھر غور و فکر ہے اور اس طرف ارتجال، یہاں خاطی کا قلم ہے اور وہاں اسان اللہ کا دین ۔ 23 کجا باب شہر علوم، اور کجا یہ ظلوم و جہول مترجم
ترجمه خطبه معجزه بقید بلا الف مستحق محمد ہے وہ معبود جس کی عظمت خیر مدت مکمل نعمت، غضب سے برائی ہوئی رحمت، همه گیر مشیت، محبت حجت، درست فیصلے مجھے دعوت حمد دے رہے ہیں۔ جس طرح کوئی ربوبیت سے متمسک ، عبودیت میں مستغرق، توحید میں متفرد، لغزش سے بری، دھمکیوں سے خوف زدہ محشر کی کسمپرسی میں بخششوں کی طرف متوجہ ہو کر معبود کی تعریف کرے، میں بھی مدن گستر ہوں۔ ہم معبودی سے رشد و مد دور بہری کے متمنی ہیں، وہی بستی ہم سب کے لئے مرکز تدین و موجب تو کل ہے، عبد مخلص کی طرح ہم وجود معبود کے مقر ہیں، مومن متیقن کی طرح منفر د سمجھتے ہیں، مضبوط عقید و بندے کی طرح فرد فرید تسلیم کرتے ہیں، نہ کوئی ملک میں شریک ہے، نہ صنعت گرمی میں دستگیر، وہ مشیر و وزیر کے مشوروں سے برتر ہے، نیز مد دومد کنندہ، ہم پشت و ہمسر کی ضرورت سے مستغنی قدرت ہم سکی لغزشوں کو خوب سمجھتی ہے مگر مخفی رکھتی ہے، وہ تو تبہ کی چیزوں سے بھی خبر رکھتی ہے، وہ حکومت میں سب کو منظم رکھتی ہے، حکم سے سرکشی کے وقت بھی عضو کے قلم کو حرکت دیتی ہے، لوگ بندگی کرتے ہیں تو قدرت عوض شکر یہ پیش کرتی ہے، فیصلہ میں ہمیشہ عدل کو مد نظر رکھتی ہے، وہ ہمیشہ سے ہے، ہمیشہ رہیگی ، معبود کی مثل و نظیر نہ کوئی چیز تھی ، نہ ہے، نہ ہوگی، وہ ہرنے سے پہلے ہے ٹیم ہر شے کے بعد ہے، وہ عزت سے معزز ہے، قوت سے ممکن ہے، بزرگی کی وجہ سے مقدس ہے، برتری کی وجہ سے متکبر، چشم مخلوق نہ معبود حقیقی کو دیکھ سکتی ہے نہ کسی کی نظر محیط ہو سکتی ہے، ووقوی ومنبع ، سمیع و بصیر، رؤف و رحیم ہے، وصف کننده معبود کی غیر محدود ہفتوں کو دیکھ کر گنگ ہے، بلکہ معرفت کے مدعی بھی حقیقی تعریف سے گم گشتہ ہیں، وہ نزدیک ہوتے ہوئے دور ہے، دور ہوتے ہوئے نزدیک ہے، یہ قدرت ہی تو ہے جو بندے کی دعوت پر لبیک کہتی ہے، رزق دیتی ہے بلکہ ضرورت سے بڑھ کر بھی بخش دیتی ہے، وہی تو مخفی مروت قوی شوکت کی منظر نیز وسیع رحمت، تکلیف دہ عقوبت کی مصدر ہے، یہ وہی ہستی تو ہے جسکی رحمت لمبی چوڑی قبول صورت جنت ہے، جس کی عقوبت وسیع و مہلکہ خیز روزخ ہے، میری ہستی بعثت محمد کی مصدق ہے جو رسول عربی، عبد حقیقی ، برگزیده نی، شریف خصات حبيب و خلیل ہیں، وہ حضرت بہترین عبد مگر کفر و بے عملی کے دور میں منصب نبوت پر متمکن ہوئے ، بندوں پر رحم کرتے ہوئے ، منت و کرم میں مزید ترقی دیتے ہوئے قدرت نے کل کی پوری کردی، یعنی محمد پر نبوت ختم کر کے حجت مستحکم کر دی۔ حضرت نے بھی لوگوں کو وعظ و نصیحت کرنے میں کوئی کمی نہیں کی بلکہ بھر پور جد و جہد کی، وہ حضرت جملہ مومنین کے لئے شفیع ہمدرد، رحم دل تھی پسندیدو و برگزید ولی تھے۔ رب ورحیم قریب و مجیب و حکیم کی طرف سے محمد تعربی پر رحمت و تسلیم نیز برکت و تعظیم و تکریم کی بڑختی ( کثرت ) ہو۔ گروہ موجود ! میرے ذریعہ سے تم لوگوں کے لئے رب قدیر کی وصیت، نبی کریم کی سنت پیش ہو رہی ہے، جس میں تم سب کے لئے نیز میرے لئے نصیحت و موعظت کے دفتر ہیں، تم پر فرض ہے کہ تم میں وہ ڈر موجود ہو جس سے خود تو نہیں لوگوں کے دل کو سکون میسر ہو،
وہ خوف مخفی ہو جس کی موجودگی میں چشم نم سے میں بہہ نکلے، وہ خوف و تقیہ ہو جو پوسیدگی کے دن سے پہلے ہی کل مملکوں سے محفوظ کر دے، نیز روز محشر سے بیفکر کر دے، جب کہ نیکیوں کی تول وزنی، بدیوں کی قول سبک ہونے کی وجہ سے بشر کو میش وعشرت کی زندگی نصیب ہوگی، تم لوگوں پر یہ بھی فرض ہے کہ خضوع و خشوع، تو بہ ورجوع، ذلت و شرمندگی صورت سے معبود کی خدمت میں عرض و معروض و تعلق کرو۔ نیز تم لوگ موقع کو نیمت سمجھو، مرض سے پہلے صحت کی قدر کرو، پیر فرتوت ہونے سے پہلے پیری کی عزت کرو، فقیری سے پہلے دولت کی توقیر کرو، مشغولیت سے پہلے وقت فرصت کو مد نظر رکھو، سفر سے پیشتر حضر کی قدر کرو، مرنے سے پہلے زندگی کی حقیقت کو سمجھ لو، نہ معلوم کتنے ہوں گے جو ضعیف و کمزور دمریض بن چکے ہوں گے جن کی کیفیت یہ ہوگی ، کہ خود طبیب محسن محسوس کرنے لگیں گے، دوست بھی پر ہیز کرنے لگیں گے، عمر ختم کے قریب ہوگی، عقل و فہم منہ موڑ چکے ہوں گے، کچھ لوگ یہ کہہ رہے ہوں گے کہ یہ تو پی ہوئی صورت ہے، جسم بھی مدقوق ہے، کہ یک بیک نزع کی کیفیت شروع ہوگی، نزدیک و دور کے سب لوگ موجود ہوں گے، مریض کے دیدوں کی گردش سلب ہو چکی ہوگی، مکھی بندھی ہوگی، جبین عرق ریز نہیں کی، تکلیف دہ چیخ میں سکون، بس نفس میں رنج و غم کی کیفیت محسوس ہو رہی ہوگی ، بیوی رو پیٹ رہی ہوئی ، بچے یتیم ہو رہے ہوں گے، لحد درست ہو رہی ہوگی، عزیزوں میں تفرقہ کی نیو پڑ رہی ہوگی۔ ترکی کی تقسیم ہوتی ہوگی، مگر خود میت چشم و گوش سے بے تعلق ہوگی، نوبت یہ پہنچے گی کہ لوگ جسم کے حصے کھینچ کھینچ کر درست کر دیں گے، پھر بدن سے کپڑے دور کریں گے، یوں ہی پر ہند نسل دیں گے، پھر دھو پونچھ کر کسی چیز پر رکھ دیں گے، بعد و کفن میں پیٹیں گے، پہلے میت کی ٹھنڈی کی بندش کریں گے، پھر قمیص دیگر سر پر پگڑی لپیٹ دیں گے، پھر تسلیم کر کے رخصت کریں گے، یعنی کسی تخت پر میت کو رکھ دیں گے، پھر بغیر سجدے کے فریضہ" سے تعبیر کہہ کر سب لوگ سبک دوش ہوں گے ، نیز میت کے لئے مغفرت طلب کریں گے، پھر زیب وزینت دئے ہوئے گھر، مضبوط و مستحکم بنے ہوئے قصر ، سر بلند و مزین محل سے منتقل کر کے ملحد بنی ہوئی قبر، پہلے سے درست کئے ہوئے گڑھے کے سپرد کر دیں گے، جس پر سنگ و خشت کو بہم کر کے چھت درست کر دیں گے، پھر کچھوٹی کچھ ڈھیلے سے گڑھے کو بھر دیں گے، یہیں پر لوگ معبود کی خدمت میں حضوری کو یقینی سمجھیں گے، لیکن جو دمر دے کو سہو جو کر دیں گے، دوست ہمدم، ہم مشرب، عزیز، قریب، وفن سے پلٹنے کے بعد دوسرے دوسرے دوست و رفیق ڈھونڈ لیں گے، مگر میت غریب بیکسی کے گھر میں گرو ہے، ہلاک قبر کے پیٹے میں القمہ ہے، کیفیت یہ ہے کہ حد کے کیڑے پس جسم پر دوڑ رہے ہیں، تختوں سے رطوبت بہ رہی ہے، کیڑے مکوڑے گوشت و پوست کو چھلنی کر رہے ہیں، خون پی رہے ہیں، ہڈیوں کو بوسیدہ کر رہے ہیں، یوم محشر تک یہی صورت رہے گی ، پھر صور پھونکنے کے وقت حشر و نشر کے لئے طالب ہوں گے، یہی تو وہ وقت ہے کہ قبروں کی جستجو ہوگی، سینے کے مخفی خنہ نے پیش ہوں گے ، ني، صديق ، شہید، محشر میں طالب ہوں گے، پھر رب قدیر کی طرف سے جو کہ خیر و بصیر ہے سب کے فیصلے ہوں گے۔ ملک عظیم کے پیش نظر جو ہر چھوٹی بڑی چیز سے مطلع ہے، محشر کے زیر دست، پر جول موقف میں نہ معلوم کتنے زندگی کش شیون بلند ہوں گے، نہ معلوم کتنی دبی ہوئی حسرتیں پوری ہوں گی ، یہی وہ وقت ہے جب کہ گلے گئے پین میں سب غرق ہوں گے، جہنم کے شعلے بر طرف سے
گھیرے ہوں گے، چشم حسرت سے مسلسل جھری بندھنے کے بعد بھی رحمت کے در مسدود، چینیں بے سود، دلیلیں مردود ہوں گی۔ جرم حد کو پہونچ چکے ہوں گے، دفتر عمل کھلے رکھے ہوں گے پیش نظر پرے عمل ہوں گے، چیشم مجرم نظر کی افغزش کی ، دست علم تعدی کے، قدم غلط روش کے، جلد بدن نحیہ محرم سے ملنے کے، جسم کے مختلی حصے لمس و تقبیل کے خود بخو د مقر ہوں گے، ختم حجت کے بعد طوق در گردن، دست به زنجیر کھینچے کھیلتے دوزخ کی طرف لے چلیں گے، پھر کرب و شدت کی معیت میں جہنم کے پر دکر دیں گے، پس طرح طرح کی عقوبتیں شروع ہوں گی، پینے کے لئے خون، پیپ پیش کریں گے، جسکی وجہ سے صورت مجلسی ہوئی معلوم ہو گی ، جسم کی جلد گل گل کے گر رہی ہوگی، لوہے کے گرز سے فرشتے پی رہے ہوں گے، جلد بدن جل جل کے گرتی ہوگی، دوسری نئی بنتی ہوگی بد نصیب کے رونے پیٹنے کی طرف سے جہنم کے موکل فرشتے بھی منہ پھیرے ہوں گے، غرض کہ یوں ہی غیر معین مدت تک شیخ نیز شرمندگی کی کیفیت میں نسر ہو گی۔ ہم رب قدیر سے ہر طرح کے فتنہ وثر سے طلب دف کرتے ہیں، وہ جن لوگوں سے خوش ہو کر جس مقبولیت کی صف میں جگہ دئے ہوئے ہے، ہم بھی کچھ ویسی ہی مغفرت و مقبولیت کے متمنی ہیں، کیوں کہ وہی ہستی ہم سب کے ہر مقصود و مطلب کی متناغل ہے، بے شک جو لوگ معبود کی عقوبتوں سے بچ گئے وہ عزت معبود ہی کے طفیل سے جنت میں پہنچیں گے، سر بلند و مستحکم محلوں میں ہمیشہ ہمیشہ کے لئے بھہریں گے، جس جگہ عیش و عشرت کے لئے حوریں ملیں گی خدمت کے لئے نوکر موجود ہوں گے، شیشہ و خم گردش میں ہوں گے، مقدس منزلوں میں مقیم ہوں گے، انعمتوں میں کروٹیں بدلتے ہوں گے، تسنیم و سبیل کو مطمئن ہو کر پیتے ہوں گے، جس کے ہر جمہ ھے طرح طرح کی خوشبوؤں میں لیے ہوں گے، یہ سب چیزیں ہمیشہ کی ملکیت ہوں گی، جس میں سرور کی حس قوی ہو گی، ہرے بھرے چمن میں مے نوشی ہوگی ، نہ کوئی دردسر کی تکلیف ہوگی ، نہ کوئی دوسری زحمت ہوگی۔ مگر یہ منزلت خوف وخشیت سے متصف لوگوں کی ہے، جو نفس کی سرکشیوں سے ہر وقت خطرے میں رہتے ہیں، بے شک جو لوگ کے منکر ہوں، مذکورہ حقیقتوں کو بھولے بیٹھے ہوں، معصیت کوئی میں نذر ہوں، پر فریب نفس کے دھوکے میں پڑے ہوں، وہ معبود حق حقیقی کی طرف سے عقوبت کے مستحق ہیں، کیوں کہ درست فیصلہ معتدل حکم یہی ہے۔ دیکھو سب سے بہتر قصہ، سب سے کھری نصیحت، حکیم مطلق کی تنزیل ہے، جسے جبریل پہلے سے رہبر کل حضرت محمد کے قلب محترم کے سپر د کر چکے ہیں، مکرم و نیک منش سفیروں کی طرف سے حضرت پر درود و رحمت ہو، ہم برامین ورحیم دشمن کے شر سے بچنے کے لئے رب علیم، رحیم و کریم سے مد د طالب کرتے ہیں، تم لوگ بھی تضرع کرو۔ گریہ میں مشغول رہو، نیز تم میں ہر شخص جو نعمت رب سے ہر دور ہے، خود نیز میرے لئے طالب مغفرت کرے، بس میرے لئے رب قدیر کی بستی بہت ہے۔ میرزا جمال ۱۵ فروری ۲۰۰۶
