Though authoritative chains of authority, It is narrated that Imam `Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (peace be upon him) said the following form of ziyarah at the holy tomb of Imam `Ali Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) on the Ghadir day when he was summoned by the `Abbasid ruler, al-Mu`tasim, to be present before him in Iraq. (It contains a full overview of events in his life.)

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ

alssalamu `ala muhammadin rasuli allahi
Peace be upon Muhammad the Messenger of Allah,

خَاتَمِ ٱلنَّبِيِّينَ

khatami alnnabiyyina
the seal of the Prophets,

وَسَيِّدِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

wa sayyidi almursalina
the chief of the Messengers,

وَصَفْوَةِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

wa safwati rabbi al`alamina
and the choice of the Lord of the worlds,

أَمِينِ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ وَحْيِهِ

amini allahi `ala wahyihi
whom Allah has entrusted with His Revelations

وَعَزَائِمِ أَمْرِهِ

wa `aza'imi amrihi
and with His determined commandments,

وَٱلْخَاتِمِ لِمَا سَبَقَ

walkhatimi lima sabaqa
who sealed the previous Messages,

وَٱلْفَاتِحِ لِمَا ٱسْتُقْبِلَ

walfatihi lima istuqbila
paved the way to the coming blessings,

وَٱلْمُهَيْمِنِ عَلَىٰ ذٰلِكَ كُلِّهِ

walmuhaymini `ala dhalika kullihi
and Who prevails over all that.

وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuhu
May the mercy, blessings, peace,

وَصَلَوَاتُهُ وَتَحِيَّاتُهُ

wa salawatuhu wa tahiyyatuhu
benedictions, and greetings of Allah be upon him, too.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ أَنْبِيَاءِ ٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ

alssalamu `ala anbiya'i allahi wa rusulihi
Peace be upon the Prophets and Messengers of Allah,

وَمَلائِكَتِهِ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

wa mala'ikatihi almuqarrabina
and upon His favorite angels

وَعِبَادِهِ ٱلصَّالِحِينَ

wa `ibadihi alssalihina
and righteous saints.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya amira almu'minina
Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful,

وَسَيِّدَ ٱلْوَصِيِّينَ

wa sayyida alwasiyyina
the chief of the Prophets’ successors,

وَوَارِثَ عِلْمِ ٱلنَّبِيِّينَ

wa waritha `ilmi alnnabiyyina
the heir of the Prophets’ knowledge,

وَوَلِيَّ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

wa waliyya rabbi al`alamina
the friend of the Lord of the worlds,

وَمَوْلاَيَ وَمَوْلَىٰ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa mawlaya wa mawla almu'minina
and my master as well as the master of all of the believers.

وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuhu
May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you, too.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلاَيَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya mawlaya ya amira almu'minina
Peace be upon you, O my master, O Commander of the Faithful,

يَا أَمِينَ ٱللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ

ya amina allahi fi ardihi
the trustee of Allah on His lands,

وَسَفِيرَهُ فِي خَلْقِهِ

wa safirahu fi khalqihi
the envoy of Him amongst His creatures,

وَحُجَّتَهُ ٱلْبَالِغَةَ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِهِ

wa hujjatahu albalighata `ala `ibadihi
and His conclusive argument against His servants.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا دِينَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْقَوِيمَ

alssalamu `alayka ya dina allahi alqawima
Peace be upon you, O true religion of Allah

وَصِرَاطَهُ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

wa siratahu almustaqima
and the straight path of Him.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبَأُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

alssalamu `alayka ayyuha alnnaba'u al`azimu
Peace be upon you, O the Great News

ٱلَّذِي هُمْ فِيهِ مُخْتَلِفُونَ

alladhi hum fihi mukhtalifuna
about whom they differ

وَعَنْهُ يُسْأَلُونَ

wa `anhu yusaluna
and they shall be asked.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya amira almu'minina
Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful.

آمَنْتَ بِٱللَّهِ وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ

amanta billahi wa hum mushrikuna
You believed in Allah while they were polytheists,

وَصَدَّقْتَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ مُكَذِّبُونَ

wa saddaqta bilhaqqi wa hum mukadhdhibuna
accepted the truth while they belied it,

وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي ٱللَّهِ وَهُمْ مُحْجِمُونَ

wa jahadta fi allahi wa hum muhjimuna
strove for the sake of Allah while they refrained,

وَعَبَدْتَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصاً لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ

wa `abadta allaha mukhlisan lahu alddina
and worshipped Allah with full sincerity to Him in obedience

صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً حَتَّىٰ أَتَاكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ

sabiran muhtasiban hatta ataka alyaqinu
while you were steadfast, depending upon Him totally, until death came upon you.

أَلاَ لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ

ala la`natu allahi `ala alzzalimina
Verily, curse of Allah be upon the wrongdoers.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا سَيِّدَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya sayyida almuslimina
Peace be upon you, O chief of the Muslims,

وَيَعْسُوبَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa ya`suba almu'minina
head of the believers,

وَإِمَامَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

wa imama almuttaqina
guide of the pious ones,

وَقَائِدَ ٱلْغُرِّ ٱلْمُحَجَّلِينَ

wa qa'ida alghurri almuhajjalina
and leader of the white-forehead ones.

وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuhu
Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَخُو رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ

ash-hadu annaka akhu rasuli allahi
I bear witness that you are indeed the brother of Allah’s Messenger,

وَوَصِيُّهُ وَوَارِثُ عِلْمِهِ

wa wasiyyuhu wa warithu `ilmihi
the successor of him, the heir of his knowledge,

وَأَمِينُهُ عَلَىٰ شَرْعِهِ

wa aminuhu `ala shar`ihi
his trustee on his laws,

وَخَلِيفَتُهُ فِي أُمَّتِهِ

wa khalifatuhu fi ummatihi
his representative in his nation,

وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ

wa awwalu man amana billahi
and the first to believe in Allah

وَصَدَّقَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَىٰ نَبِيِّهِ

wa saddaqa bima unzila `ala nabiyyihi
and to accept as true all that which was revealed to Allah’s Prophet.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَّغَ عَنِ ٱللَّهِ مَا أَنْزَلَهُ فِيكَ

wa ashhadu annahu qad ballagha `an allahi ma anzalahu fika
I also bear witness that he (i.e. the Prophet) conveyed all that which Allah revealed to him concerning you;

فَصَدَعَ بِأَمْرِهِ

fasada`a bi-amrihi
so, he expounded openly what he was commanded (to expound),

وَأَوْجَبَ عَلَىٰ أُمَّتِهِ فَرْضَ طَاعَتِكَ وَوِلاَيَتِكَ

wa awjaba `ala ummatihi farda ta`atika wa wilayatika
declared to his nation the duty of obedience and loyalty to you,

وَعَقَدَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَيْعَةَ لَكَ

wa `aqada `alayhimu albay`ata laka
ordered them to swear allegiance to you,

وَجَعَلَكَ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ

wa ja`alaka awla bilmu'minina min anfusihim
and declared you as enjoying more priority on the believers than that which they enjoy on themselves

كَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ كَذٰلِكَ

kama ja`alahu allahu kadhalika
in the same was as Allah has made him enjoy the same.

ثُمَّ أَشْهَدَ ٱللَّهَ تَعَالَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ

thumma ashhada allaha ta`ala `alayhim
He then asked Allah the All-exalted to be the witness on them (in this respect),

فَقَالَ: ”أَلَسْتُ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُ؟“

faqala alastu qad ballaghtu
saying, “Have I conveyed?”

فَقَالُوَٱ: ”اَللَّهُمَّ بَلَىٰ.“

faqalu allahumma bala
They answered, “Yes, you have. We swear to it by Allah.”

فَقَالَ: ”اَللَّهُمَّ ٱشْهَدْ،

faqala allahumma ishhad
He thus said, “O Allah, be the witness

وَكَفَىٰ بِكَ شَهِيداً وَحَاكِماً بَيْنَ ٱلْعِبَادِ.“

wa kafa bika shahidan wa hakiman bayna al`ibadi
and You are sufficient Witness and Judge between the servants (0f Yours).”

فَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ جَاحِدَ وِلاَيَتِكَ بَعْدَ ٱلإِقْرَارِ

fala`ana allahu jahida wilayatika ba`da al-iqrari
Hence, curse of Allah be upon him who denied the allegiance to you after he had confessed of it

وَنَاكِثَ عَهْدِكَ بَعْدَ ٱلْمِيثَاقِ

wa nakitha `ahdika ba`da almithaqi
and upon him who breached his pledge to you after he had taken it.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَفَيْتَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ تَعَالَىٰ

wa ashhadu annaka wafayta bi`ahdi allahi ta`ala
I also bear witness that you have indeed observed your pledge to Almighty Allah

وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَعَالَىٰ مُوفٍ لَكَ بِعَهْدِهِ

wa anna allaha ta`ala mufin laka bi`ahdihi
and that Almighty Allah, in return, shall observe His pledge to you.

”وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِمَا عَاهَدَ عَلَيْهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْراً عَظِيماً.“

wa man awfa bima `ahada `alayhu allaha fasayu'tihi ajran `aziman
“Therefore, whoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will grant him a mighty reward.”

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ أَمِيرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلْحَقُّ

wa ashhadu annaka amiru almu'minina alhaqqu
I also bear witness that you are truly the commander of the faithful,

ٱلَّذِي نَطَقَ بِوِلاَيَتِكَ ٱلتَّنْزِيلُ

alladhi nataqa biwilayatika alttanzilu
the Divine Revelation did declare your commissioned leadership,

وَأَخَذَ لَكَ ٱلْعَهْدَ عَلَىٰ ٱلأُمَّةِ بِذٰلِكَ ٱلرَّسُولُ

wa akhadha laka al`ahda `ala al'ummati bidhalika alrrasulu
and the Messenger made a covenant with the people (that they would be under your leadership).

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَعَمَّكَ وَأَخَاكَ

wa ashhadu annaka wa `ammaka wa akhaka
I also bear witness that you, along with your uncle and brother,

ٱلَّذِينَ تَاجَرْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ بِنُفُوسِكُمْ

alladhina tajartumu allaha binufusikum
traded with Allah in your souls;

فَأَنْزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيكُمْ:

fa'anzala allahu fikum
He therefore revealed about you this:

«إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ

inna allaha ishtara min almu'minina anfusahum wa amwalahum
“Surely, Allah has bought of the believers their persons and their property for this,

بِأَنَّّ لَهُمُ ٱلْجَنَّةَ

bi'anna lahumu aljannata
that they shall have Paradise;

يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ

yuqatiluna fi sabili allahi fayaqtuluna wa yuqtaluna
they fight in Allah's way, so they slay and are slain;

وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقّاً فِي ٱلتَّوْرَاةِ وَٱلإِنْجِيلِ وَٱلْقُرْآنِ

wa`dan `alayhi haqqan fi alttawrati wal-injili walqur'ani
a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Bible and the Qur'an;

وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ؟

wa man awfa bi`ahdihi min allahi
and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah?

فَٱسْتَبْشِرُوا بِبَيْعِكُمُ ٱلَّذِي بَايَعْتُمْ بِهِ

fastabshiru bibay`ikumu alladhi baya`tum bihi
Rejoice therefore in the pledge which you have made;

وَذٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ.

wa dhalika huwa alfawzu al`azimu
and that is the mighty achievement.

ٱلتَّائِبُونَ ٱلْعَابِدُونَ

altta'ibuna al`abiduna
They who turn to Allah, who serve Him,

ٱلْحَامِدُونَ ٱلسَّائِحُونَ

alhamiduna alssa'ihuna
who praise Him, who fast,

ٱلرَّاكِعُونَ ٱلسَّاجِدُونَ

alrraki`una alssajiduna
who bow down, who prostrate themselves,

ٱلآمِرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَٱلنَّاهُونَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنْكَرِ

al-amiruna bilma`rufi walnnahuna `an almunkari
who enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil,

وَٱلْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ.»

walhafizuna lihududi allahi wa bashshir almu'minina
and who keep the limits of Allah; and give good news to the believers.”

أَشْهَدُ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

ashhadu ya amira almu'minina
O Commander of the Faithful, I bear witness

أَنَّ ٱلشَّاكَّ فِيكَ مَا آمَنَ بِٱلرَّسُولِ ٱلأَمِينِ

anna alshshakka fika ma amana bilrrasuli al-amini
that whoever doubts about you has never believed in the Trusted Messenger,

وَأَنَّ ٱلْعَادِلَ بِكَ غَيْرَكَ عَانِدٌ عَنِ ٱلدِّينِ ٱلْقَوِيمِ

wa anna al`adila bika ghayraka `anidun `an alddini alqawimi
and whoever leaves you to choose another (as his leader) has indeed diverted the true religion,

ٱلَّذِي ٱرْتَضَاهُ لَنَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

alladhi irtadahu lana rabbu al`alamina
that the Lord of the worlds has chosen for us,

وَأَكْمَلَهُ بِوِلاَيَتِكَ يَوْمَ ٱلْغَدِيرِ

wa akmalahu biwilayatika yawma alghadiri
and that He completed it on the Ghadir Day through (declaring) the Divinely commissioned leadership of you.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ ٱلْمَعْنِيُّ بِقَوْلِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ:

wa ashhadu annaka alma`niyyu biqawli al`azizi alrrahimi
And I bear witness that you are the one intended in the following saying of the Almighty, All-merciful Lord:

”وَأَنَّ هٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيماً فَٱتِّبِعُوهُ

wa anna hadha sirati mustaqiman fattabi`uhu
“And this is My path, the right one; therefore, follow it,

وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُوا ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ.“

wa la tattabi`u alssubula fatafarraqa bikum `an sabilihi
and follow not other ways, for they will lead you away from His way.”

ضَلَّ وَٱللَّهِ وَأَضَلَّ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ سِوَاكَ

dalla wallahi wa adalla man ittaba`a siwaka
I swear by Allah that whoever follows any one other than you has in fact strayed off the right way and misled others (i.e. those who imitate him),

وَعَنَدَ عَنِ ٱلْحَقِّ مَنْ عَادَاكَ

wa `anada `an alhaqqi man `adaka
and that whoever incurs the hostility of you has undoubtedly rejected the right.

اَللَّهُمَّ سَمِعْنَا لأَمْرِكَ

allahumma sami`na li'amrika
O Allah, we have listened to Your command

وَأَطَعْنَا وَٱتَّبَعْنَا صِرَاطَكَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

wa ata`na wattaba`na sirataka almustaqima
obeyed, and followed Your straight path;

فَٱهْدِنَا رَبَّنَا

fahdina rabbana
therefore, (please do) guide us, O our Lord!

وَلاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا إِلَىٰ طَاعَتِكَ

wa la tuzigh qulubana ba`da idh hadaytana ila ta`atika
And do not cause our hearts to deviate after You have guided us to the obedience to You,

وَٱجْعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلشَّاكِرِينَ لأَنْعُمِكَ

waj`alna min alshshakirina li'an`umika
and include us with those who always thank You for Your bounties.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ لَمْ تَزَلْ لِلْهَوَىٰ مُخَالِفاً

wa ashhadu annaka lam tazal lilhawa mukhalifan
And I also bear witness that you have always been at variance with whimsical desires

وَلِلتُّقَىٰ مُحَالِفاً

wa lilttuqa muhalifan
as you have always been in line with piety,

وَعَلَىٰ كَظْمِ ٱلْغَيْظِ قَادِراً

wa `ala kazmi alghayzi qadiran
you have always been capable of suppressing your rage,

وَعَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ عَافِياً غَافِراً

wa `an alnnasi `afiyan ghafiran
you have always forgiven and pardoned people,

وَإِذَا عُصِيَ ٱللَّهُ سَاخِطاً

wa idha `usiya allahu sakhitan
and when Allah is disobeyed, you have always been furious,

وَإِذَا أُطِيعَ ٱللَّهُ رَاضِياً

wa idha uti`a allahu radiyan
and when He is obeyed, you have always been pleased,

وَبِمَا عَهِدَ إِلَيْكَ عَامِلاً

wa bima `ahida ilayka `amilan
and you have always carried out what Allah has commissioned you to do,

رَاعِياً لِمَا ٱسْتُحْفِظْتَ

ra`iyan lima istuhfizta
you have always observed what has been entrusted with you,

حَافِظاً لِمَا ٱسْتُودِعْتَ

hafizan lima istudi`ta
you have always kept what has been confided to you,

مُبَلِّغاً مَا حُمِّلْتَ

muballighan ma hummilta
you have always conveyed what you were ordered to convey,

مُنْتَظِراً مَا وُعِدْتَ

muntaziran ma wu`idta
and you have always expected that which you were promised.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ مَا ٱتَّقَيْتَ ضَارِعاً

wa ashhadu annaka ma ittaqayta dari`an
And I bear witness that as you sometimes conceded some things, you did not do that on account of humiliation,

وَلاَ أَمْسَكْتَ عَنْ حَقِّكَ جَازِعاً

wa la amsakta `an haqqika jazi`an
and as you sometimes did not demand with your right, you did not do that on account of fear,

وَلاَ أَحْجَمْتَ عَنْ مُجَاهَدَةِ غَاصِبِيكَ نَاكِلاً

wa la ahjamta `an mujahadati ghasibika nakilan
and as you sometimes stopped combating those who usurped your right, you did not do so on account of weakness,

وَلاَ أَظْهَرْتَ ٱلرِّضَا بِخِلاَفِ مَا يُرْضِي ٱللَّهَ مُدَاهِناً

wa la azharta alrrida bikhilafi ma yurdi allaha mudahinan
and as you (on a certain occasion) showed contentment to things to which Allah is not pleased, you did not do so on account of flattery,

وَلاَ وَهَنْتَ لِمَا أَصَابَكَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

wa la wahanta lima asabaka fi sabili allahi
and you have never been weakened by what befell you for the sake of Allah,

وَلاَ ضَعُفْتَ وَلاَ ٱسْتَكَنْتَ عَنْ طَلَبِ حَقِّكَ مُرَاقِباً

wa la da`ufta wa la istakanta `an talabi haqqika muraqiban
and you have never been feeble and you have never abased yourself as regards demanding with your rights on account of fear.

مَعَاذَ ٱللَّهِ أَنْ تَكُونَ كَذٰلِكَ

ma`adha allahi an takuna kadhalika
I seek Allah’s refuge against such claims;

بَلْ إِذْ ظُلِمْتَ ٱحْتَسَبْتَ رَبَّكَ

bal idh zulimta ihtasabta rabbaka
rather, when you were wronged, you relied upon your Lord in these questions

وَفَوَّضْتَ إِلَيْهِ أَمْرَكَ

wa fawwadta ilayhi amraka
and entrusted your affair to Him,

وَذَكَّرْتَهُمْ فَمَا ٱدَّكَرُوٱ

wa dhakkartahum fama iddakaru
and as you reminded them (of their allegiance to you), they did not regard it,

وَوَعَظْتَهُمْ فَمَا ٱتَّعَظُوٱ

wa wa`aztahum fama itta`azu
and as you preached them, they did not accept from you,

وَخَوَّفْتَهُمُ ٱللَّهَ فَمَا تَخَوَّفُوٱ

wa khawwftahum allaha fama takhawwafu
and as you instructed them to fear Allah, they did not mind.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa ashhadu annaka ya amira almu'minina
I also bear witness, O Commander of the Faithful,

جَاهَدْتَ فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ

jahadta fi allahi haqqa jihadihi
that you strove in the way of Allah in the most appropriate way

حَتَّىٰ دَعَاكَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَىٰ جِوَارِهِ

hatta da`aka allahu ila jiwarihi
until Allah summoned you to be in His vicinity,

وَقَبَضَكَ إِلَيْهِ بِٱخْتِيَارِهِ

wa qabadaka ilayhi bikhtiyarihi
chose to grasp you,

وَأَلزَمَ أَعْدَاءَكَ ٱلْحُجَّةَ بِقَتْلِهِمْ إِيَّاكَ

wa alzama a`da'aka alhujjata biqatlihim iyyaka
and established the argument against your enemies who killed you,

لِتَكُونَ ٱلْحُجَّةُ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ

litakuna alhujjatu laka `alayhim
so that you should have argument against them,

مَعَ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحُجَجِ ٱلْبَالِغَةِ عَلَىٰ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ

ma`a ma laka min alhujaji albalighati `ala jami`i khalqihi
although you enjoy conclusive arguments against all of His creatures.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya amira almu'minina
Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful.

عَبَدْتَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصاً

`abadta allaha mukhlisan
You have worshipped Allah sincerely,

وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي ٱللَّهِ صَابِراً

wa jahadta fi allahi sabiran
striven in the way of Allah steadfastly,

وَجُدْتَ بِنَفْسِكَ مُحْتَسِباً

wa judta binafsika muhtasiban
sacrificed yourself, seeking Allah’s judgment,

وَعَمِلْتَ بِكِتَابِهِ

wa `amilta bikitabihi
acted upon His Book,

وَٱتَّبَعْتَ سُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ

wattaba`ta sunnata nabiyyihi
followed His Prophet’s instructions,

وَأَقَمْتَ ٱلصَّلاةَ

wa aqamta alssalata
performed the prayers,

وَآتَيْتَ ٱلزَّكَاةَ

wa atayta alzzakata
paid the zakat,

وَأَمَرْتَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ

wa amarta bilma`rufi
enjoined what is right,

وَنَهَيْتَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنْكَرِ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتَ

wa nahayta `an almunkari ma istata`ta
and forbidden what is wrong as much as you could,

مُبْتَغِياً مَا عِنْدَ ٱللَّهِ

mubtaghiyan ma `inda allahi
seeking what is possessed by Allah

رَاغِباً فِي مَا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ

raghiban fima wa`ada allahu
and desiring for that which Allah has promised.

لاَ تَحْفِلُ بِٱلنَّوَائِبِ

la tahfilu bilnnawa'ibi
You have never cared for misfortunes,

وَلاَ تَهِنُ عِنْدَ ٱلشَّدَائِدِ

wa la tahinu `inda alshshada'idi
never yielded to the hardships,

وَلاَ تَحْجِمُ عَنْ مُحَارِبٍ

wa la tahjimu `an muharibin
and never stopped fighting against any warrior on account of fear.

أَفِكَ مَنْ نَسَبَ غَيْرَ ذٰلِكَ إِلَيْكَ

afika man nasaba ghayra dhalika ilayka
Indeed, whoever claims anything opposite to this to you is actually fabricating

وَٱفْتَرَىٰ بَاطِلاً عَلَيْكَ

waftara batilan `alayka
and is forging lies to you,

وَأَوْلَىٰ لِمَنْ عَنَدَ عَنْكَ

wa awla liman `anada `anka
and whoever leaves your path is drawing himself near to destruction.

لَقَدْ جَاهَدْتَ فِي ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ ٱلْجِهَادِ

laqad jahadta fi allahi haqqa aljihadi
You have certainly striven in the way of Allah as exactly as required,

وَصَبَرْتَ عَلَىٰ ٱلأَذَىٰ صَبْرَ ٱحْتِسَابٍ

wa sabarta `ala al-adha sabra ihtisabin
stood harm for the sake of Allah,

وَأَنْتَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ

wa anta awwalu man amana billahi
have been the foremost to believe in Allah,

وَصَلَّىٰ لَهُ وَجَاهَدَ

wa salla lahu wa jahada
the first to offer prayer and to strive,

وَأَبْدَىٰ صَفْحَتَهُ فِي دَارِ ٱلشِّرْكِ

wa abda safhatahu fi dari alshshirki
and the first to expose himself in the land of the polytheists,

وَٱلأَرْضُ مَشْحُونَةٌ ضَلالَةً

wal-ardu mashhunatun dalalatan
while the lands were suffocated with deviation,

وَٱلشَّيْطَانُ يُعْبَدُ جَهْرَةً

walshshaytanu yu`badu jahratan
Satan was worshipped openly,

وَأَنْتَ ٱلْقَائِلُ: ”لاَ تَزِيدُنِي كَثْرَةُ ٱلنَّاسِ حَوْلِي عِزَّةً

wa anta alqa'ilu la taziduni kathratu alnnasi hawli `izzatan
and (in the midst of this) you said, “The big number of people that surround me shall never increase my might,

وَلاَ تَفَرُّقُهُمْ عَنِّي وَحْشَةً

wa la tafarruquhum `anni wahshatan
nor shall their departing me make me feel lonely.

وَلَوْ أَسْلَمَنِيَ ٱلنَّاسُ جَمِيعاً لَمْ أَكُنْ مُتَضَرِّعاً.“

wa law aslamani alnnasu jami`an lam akun mutadarri`an
I thus shall never submit even if all peoples desert me.”

إِعْتَصَمْتَ بِٱللَّهِ فَعَزَزْتَ

i`tasamta billahi fa`azazta
Because you resorted to Allah, you were the mightiest,

وَآثَرْتَ ٱلآخِرَةَ عَلَىٰ ٱلأُولَىٰ فَزَهِدْتَ

wa atharta al'akhirata `ala al'ula fazahidta
and because you preferred the Next World to this worldly life, you have been ascetic.

وَأَيَّدَكَ ٱللَّهُ وَهَدَاكَ

wa ayydaka allahu wa hadaka
Thus, Allah supported, guided,

وَأَخْلَصَكَ وَٱجْتَبَاكَ

wa akhlasaka wajtabaka
chose, and selected you.

فَمَا تَنَاقَضَتْ أَفْعَالُكَ

fama tanaqadat af`aluka
Your deeds were never contradictory,

وَلاَ ٱخْتَلَفَتْ أَقْوَالُكَ

wa la ikhtalafat aqwaluka
your words were never paradoxical,

وَلاَ تَقَلَّبَتْ أَحْوَالُكَ

wa la taqallabat ahwaluka
your situations were never fickle,

وَلاَ ٱدَّعَيْتَ وَلاَ ٱفْتَرَيْتَ عَلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ كَذِباً

wa la idda`ayta wa la iftarayta `ala allahi kadhiban
you have never claimed falsely or forged lies against Allah,

وَلاَ شَرِهْتَ إِلَىٰ ٱلْحُطَامِ

wa la sharihta ila alhutami
you have never been greedy for the wreckage of this world,

وَلاَ دَنَّسَكَ ٱلآثَامُ

wa la dannasaka al'athamu
you have never been defiled by sins,

وَلَمْ تَزَلْ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكَ

wa lam tazal `ala bayyinatin min rabbika
you have always had manifest proof from your Lord,

وَيَقِينٍ مِنْ أَمْرِكَ

wa yaqinin min amrika
and you have always been certain of what you do,

تَهْدِي إِلَىٰ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

tahdi ila alhaqqi wa ila siratin mustaqimin
as you used to guide to the right and to a straight path.

أَشْهَدُ شَهَادَةَ حَقٍّ

ashhadu shahadata haqqin
I bear true witness

وَأُقْسِمُ بِٱللَّهِ قَسَمَ صِدْقٍ

wa uqsimu billahi qasama sidqin
and I truly swear by Allah

أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً وَآلَهُ صَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ سَادَاتُ ٱلْخَلْقِ

anna muhammadan wa alahu salawatu allahi `alayhim sadatu alkhalqi
that Muhammad and his Household—may Allah’s blessings be upon them—are the masters of all creatures

وَأَنَّكَ مَوْلاَيَ وَمَوْلَىٰ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa annaka mawlaya wa mawla almu'minina
and you are indeed my master and the master of all believers,

وَأَنَّكَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ وَوَلِيُّهُ

wa annaka `abdu allahi wa waliyyuhu
the servant and friend of Allah,

وَأَخُو ٱلرَّسُولِ وَوَصِيُّهُ وَوَارِثُهُ

wa akhu alrrasuli wa wasiyyuhu wa warithuhu
the brother, successor, and heir of the Messenger,

وَأَنَّهُ ٱلْقَائِلُ لَكَ:

wa annahu alqa'ilu laka
who used to say to you,

”وَٱلَّذِي بَعَثَنِي بِٱلْحَقِّ مَا آمَنَ بِي مَنْ كَفَرَ بِكَ

walladhi ba`athani bilhaqqi ma amana bi man kafara bika
“I swear this by Him Who sent me with the truth: whoever denies you has never believed in me,

وَلاَ أَقَرَّ بِٱللَّهِ مَنْ جَحَدَكَ

wa la aqarra billahi man jahadaka
whoever rejects you has never confessed of Allah’s existence,

وَقَدْ ضَلَّ مَنْ صَدَّ عَنْكَ

wa qad dalla man sadda `anka
whoever abandons you has actually strayed off,

وَلَمْ يَهْتَدِ إِلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ وَلاَ إِلَيَّ مَنْ لاَ يَهْتَدِي بِكَ

wa lam yahtadi ila allahi wa la ilayya man la yahtadi bika
and whoever is not guided be you has never found the way to Allah or to me.

وَهُوَ قَوْلُ رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

wa huwa qawlu rabbi `azza wa jalla
Confirming this, my Lord the the Almighty and All-majestic says,

«وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً

wa inni laghaffarun liman taba wa amana wa `amila salihan
‘Most surely, I am most Forgiving to him who repents and believes and does good,

ثُمَّ ٱهْتَدَىٰ» إِلَىٰ وِلايَتِكَ.“

thumma ihtada ila wilayatika
then follows the right path.’ To follow the right path is to adhere to your Divinely commissioned leadership.”

مَوْلاَيَ فَضْلُكَ لاَ يَخْفَىٰ

mawlaya fadluka la yakhfa
O master, your favor cannot be concealed

وَنُورُكَ لاَ يُطْفَأُ

wa nuruka la yutfa'u
and your light cannot be extinguished.

وَأَنَّ مَنْ جَحَدَكَ ٱلظَّلُومُ ٱلأَشْقَىٰ

wa anna man jahadaka alzzalumu al-ashqa
Verily, he who rejects you shall be the most misfortunate wrongdoer.

مَوْلاَيَ أَنْتَ ٱلْحُجَّةُ عَلَىٰ ٱلْعِبَادِ

mawlaya anta alhujjatu `ala al`ibadi
O master, you are the (Divine) claim against the servants,

وَٱلْهَادِي إِلَىٰ ٱلرَّشَادِ

walhadi ila alrrashadi
the guiding to uprightness,

وَٱلْعُدَّةُ لِلْمَعَادِ

wal`uddatu lilma`adi
and our means on the Promised Day.

مَوْلاَيَ لَقَدْ رَفَعَ ٱللَّهُ فِي ٱلأُولَىٰ مَنْزِلَتَكَ

mawlaya laqad rafa`a allahu fi al'ula manzilataka
O master, Allah has indeed elevated your standing in this world,

وَأَعْلَىٰ فِي ٱلآخِرَةِ دَرَجَتَكَ

wa a`la fi al'akhirati darajataka
raised your rank in the Hereafter,

وَبَصَّرَكَ مَا عَمِيَ عَلَىٰ مَنْ خَالَفَكَ

wa bassaraka ma `amiya `ala man khalafaka
and led you to that which has not been seen by those who antagonized you,

وَحَالَ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ مَوَاهِبِ ٱللَّهِ لَكَ

wa hala baynaka wa bayna mawahibi allahi laka
those who stood between you and Allah’s gifts to you.

فَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ مُسْتَحِلِّي ٱلْحُرْمَةِ مِنْكَ

fala`ana allahu mustahilli alhurmati minka
So, curse of Allah be upon those who violated your sanctity

وَذَائِدِي ٱلْحَقِّ عَنْكَ

wa dha'idi alhaqqi `anka
and those who prevented you from taking your right.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُمُ ٱلأَخْسَرُونَ

wa ashhadu annahum al-akhsaruna
I do bear witness that these are the biggest losers

ٱلَّذِينَ تَلْفَحُ وُجُوهَهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ

alladhina talfahu wujuhahum alnnaru
whose faces shall be scorched by Hellfire

وَهُمْ فِيهَا كَالِحُونَ

wa hum fiha kalihuna
and they therein shall be in severe affliction.

وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ مَا أَقْدَمْتَ وَلاَ أَحْجَمْتَ

wa ashhadu annaka ma aqdamta wa la ahjamta
And I bear witness that whenever you did something or you avoided doing something,

وَلاَ نَطَقْتَ وَلاَ أَمْسَكْتَ

wa la nataqta wa la amsakta
and whenever you said something or you kept silent;

إِلاَّ بِأَمْرٍ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

illa bi-amrin min allahi wa rasulihi
all these were by the order of Allah and His Messenger.

قُلْتَ: ”وَٱلَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ،

qulta walldhi nafsi biyadihi
You thus said, “I swear this by Him Who grasps my soul:

لَقَدْ نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

laqad nazara ilayya rasulu allahi salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi
when the Messenger of Allah—peace of Allah be upon him and his Household—

أَضْرِبُ بِٱلسَّيْفِ قُدْماً فَقَالَ:

adribu bilssayfi qudman faqala
watched me striking (the enemies) with my sword ceaselessly, he said to me,

’يَا عَلِيُّ أَنْتَ مِنِّي بِمَنْزِلَةِ هَارُونَ مِنْ مُوسَىٰ

ya `aliyyu anta minni bimanzilati haruna min musa
‘O `Ali, your position to me is the same as (Prophet) Aaron’s position to (Prophet) Moses;

إِلاَّ أَنَّهُ لاَ نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي

illa annahu la nabiyya ba`di
yet, there shall be no prophet after me.

وَأُعْلِمُكَ أَنَّ مَوْتَكَ وَحَيَاتَكَ مَعِي وَعَلَىٰ سُنَّتِي.‘

wa u`limuka anna mawtaka wa hayataka ma`i wa `ala sunnati
I would like to further inform you that your death and your lifestyle shall be with me and according to my instruction.’

فَوَٱللَّهِ مَا كَذِبْتُ وَلاَ كُذِّبْتُ

fawallahi ma kadhibtu wa la kudhdhibtu
(Imam `Ali continued,) I swear by Allah that I have not told untruth and none shall belie me,

وَلاَ ضَلَلْتُ وَلاَ ضُلِّ بِي

wa la dalaltu wa la dulla bi
and I have never strayed off and none shall ever mislead me,

وَلاَ نَسِيتُ مَا عَهِدَ إِلَيَّ رَبِّي

wa la nasitu ma `ahida ilayya rabbi
and I have never forgotten my Lord’s instructions to me,

وَإِنِّي لَعَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّي بَيَّنَهَا لِنَبِيِّهِ

wa inni la`ala bayyinatin min rabbi bayyanaha linabiyyihi
and I do follow the true path of my Lord that He showed His Prophet

وَبَيَّنَهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ لِي

wa bayyanaha alnnabiyyu li
and the Prophet showed me,

وَإِنِّي لَعَلَىٰ ٱلطَّرِيقِ ٱلْوَاضِحِ أَلْفِظُهُ لَفْظاً.“

wa inni la`ala alttariqi alwadihi alfizuhu lafzan
and, most certainly, I am following the lucid path step by step.”

صَدَقْتَ وَٱللَّهِ وَقُلْتَ ٱلْحَقَّ

sadaqta wallahi wa qulta alhaqqa
By Allah I swear, true are your words and you have said nothing but the truth.

فَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ سَاوَاكَ بِمَنْ نَاوَاكَ

fala`ana allahu man sawaka biman nawaka
Curse of Allah be upon those who compare you to your enemies,

وَٱللَّهُ جَلَّ ٱسْمُهُ يَقُولُ:

wallahu jalla ismuhu yaqulu
while Allah, Whose Name be elevated, says,

”هَلْ يَسْتَوِي ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُون؟“

hal yastawi alladhina ya`lamuna walladhina la ya`lamun
“Are those who know and those who do not know alike?”

فَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ عَدَلَ بِكَ مَنْ فَرَضَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وِلايَتَكَ

fala`ana allahu man `adala bika man farada allahu `alayhi wilayataka
So, the curse of Allah be upon those who compared you to those whom Allah has ordered to follow your leadership,

وَأَنْتَ وَلِيُّ ٱللَّهِ

wa anta waliyyu allahi
while you are the friend of Allah,

وَأَخُو رَسُولِهِ

wa akhu rasulihi
the brother of His Messenger,

وَٱلذَّابُّ عَنْ دِينِهِ

waldhdhabbu `an dinihi
the defender of His religion,

وَٱلَّذِي نَطَقَ ٱلْقُرْآنُ بِتَفْضِيلِهِ

walladhi nataqa alqur'anu bitafdilihi
and the one whose preference (to all others) has been declared by the Qur'an;

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ:

qala allahu ta`ala
hence, Almighty Allah says,

”وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَاهِدِينَ عَلَىٰ ٱلْقَاعِدِينَ أَجْراً عَظِيماً.

wa faddala allahu almujahidina `ala alqa`idina ajran `aziman
“And Allah shall grant to the strivers above the holders back a mighty reward.

دَرَجَاتٍ مِنْهُ وَمَغْفِرَةً وَرَحْمَةً

darajatin minhu wa maghfiratan wa rahmatan
(High) degrees from Him, protection, and mercy.

وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَحِيماً.“

wa kana allahu ghafuran rahiman
And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ:

wa qala allahu ta`ala
Almighty Allah has also said,

”أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ ٱلْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ

aja`altum siqayata alhajji wa `imarata almasjidi alharami
“Do you make one who undertakes the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque

كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ وَجَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ؟

kaman amana billahi walyawmi al'akhiri wa jahada fi sabili allahi
to be like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way?

لاَ يَسْتَوُونَ عِنْدَ ٱللَّهِ

la yastawuna `inda allahi
They are not equal with Allah;

وَٱللَّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ.

wallahu la yahdi alqawma alzzalimina
and Allah does not guide the unjust people.

اَلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ وَهَاجَرُوٱ

alladhina amanu wa hajaru
Those who believed, fled their homes,

وَجَاهَدُوٱ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ

wa jahadu fi sabili allahi bi'amwalihim wa anfusihim
and strove hard in Allah’s way with their property and their souls

أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِنْدَ ٱللَّهِ

a`zamu darajatan `inda allahi
are much higher in rank with Allah;

وَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَائِزُونَ.

wa ula'ika hum alfa'izuna
and those are they who are the achievers of their objects.

يُبَشِّرُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَرِضْوَانٍ

yubashshiruhum rabbuhum birahmatin minhu wa ridwanin
Their Lord gives them good news of mercy from Himself and His good pleasure

وَجَنَّاتٍ لَهُمْ فِيهَا نَعِيمٌ مُقِيمٌ.

wa jannatin lahum fiha na`imun muqimun
and gardens, wherein lasting blessings shall be theirs;

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَداً

khalidina fiha abadan
abiding therein for ever.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ.“

inna allaha `indahu ajrun `azimun
Surely, Allah has a mighty reward with Him.”

أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ ٱلْمَخْصُوصُ بِمِدْحَةِ ٱللَّهِ

ashhadu annaka almakhsusu bimidhati allahi
I bear witness that Allah’s words of praise mean you exclusively

ٱلْمُخْلِصُ لِطَاعَةِ ٱللَّهِ

almukhlisu lita`ati allahi
and you are the most sincere in the obedience to Allah

لَمْ تَبْغِ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ بَدَلاً

lam tabghi bilhuda badalan
as you have never accepted any alternative for the right guidance

وَلَمْ تُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّكَ أَحَداً

wa lam tushrik bi`ibadati rabbika ahadan
and you have never associated anyone in your worshipping your Lord.

وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَعَالَىٰ ٱسْتَجَابَ لِنَبِيِّهِ

wa anna allaha ta`ala istajaba linabiyyihi
And Almighty Allah has responded the prayer of His Prophet—

صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ فِيكَ دَعْوَتَهُ

salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi fika da`watahu
peace of Allah be upon him and his Household—concerning you.

ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُ بِإِظْهَارِ مَا أَوْلاَكَ لأُمَّتِهِ

thumma amarahu bi'izhari ma awlaka li'ummatihi
He then ordered him to proclaim the position of succeeding him in (the leadership of) his nation,

إِعْلاءً لِشَأْنِكَ

i`la'an lisha'nika
as a sign of showing your elevated position,

وَإِعْلاناً لِبُرْهَانِكَ

wa i`lanan liburhanika
declaration of the evidence on your leadership,

وَدَحْضاً لِلأَبَاطِيلِ

wa dahdan lil'abatili
refutation of the false claims,

وَقَطْعاً لِلْمَعَاذِيرِ

wa qat`an lilma`adhiri
and repudiation of all excuses.

فَلَمَّا أَشْفَقَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ ٱلْفَاسِقِينَ

falamma ashfaqa min fitnati alfasiqina
But when he (i.e. the Prophet) worried about the sedition that would be aroused by the transgressing group due to such declaration

وَٱتَّقَىٰ فِيكَ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ

wattaqa fika almunafiqina
and he did not want you to be faced by the hypocrites,

أَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِ رَبُّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ:

awha ilayhi rabbu al`alamina
the Lord of the worlds revealed to him, saying,

”يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ

ya ayyuha alrrasulu balligh ma unzila ilayka min rabbika
“O Messenger! Proclaim the message which has been sent to you from your Lord.

وَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ

wa in lam taf`al fama ballaghta risalatahu
If you did it not, you would not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission.

وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ.“

wallahu ya`simuka min alnnasi
And Allah will defend you from men (who mean mischief).”

فَوَضَعَ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ أَوْزَارَ ٱلْمَسِيرِ

fawada`a `ala nafsihi awzara almasiri
Accordingly, he (i.e. the Prophet) burdened himself with the loads of (long) walking

وَنَهَضَ فِي رَمْضَاءِ ٱلْهَجِيرِ

wa nahada fi ramda'i alhajiri
and stood up under the burning sun in the midst of the desert,

فَخَطَبَ وَأَسْمَعَ

fakhataba wa asma`a
where he delivered a speech, made everyone listen to him,

وَنَادَىٰ فَأَبْلَغَ

wa nada fa'ablagha
and called upon them with rhetorical language.

ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُمْ أَجْمَعَ

thumma sa'alahum ajma`a
He then asked them all,

فَقَالَ: ”هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ؟“

faqala hal ballaghtu
“Have I conveyed (the message)?”

فَقَالُوَٱ: ”اَللَّهُمَّ بَلَىٰ.“

faqalu allahumma bala
“Yes, you have. We swear it by Allah,” they answered.

فَقَالَ: ”اَللَّهُمَّ ٱشْهَدْ.“

faqala allahumma ishhad
“O Allah, be the witness!” the Prophet said.

ثُمَّ قَالَ: ” أَلَسْتُ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ؟“

thumma qala alastu awla bilmu'minina min anfusihim
He then added, “Do I not enjoy more priority to the selves of the believers than that which they enjoy on themselves?”

فَقَالُوَٱ: ”بَلَىٰ.“

faqalu bala
“Yes, you do,” answered they.

فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِكَ وَقَالَ:

fa'akhadha biyadika wa qala
Hen then took you from the hand and said,

”مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلاَهُ فَهٰذَا عَلِيٌّ مَوْلاَهُ

man kuntu mawlahu fahadha `aliyyun mawlahu
“This `Ali is now the master of every one who has betaken me as his master.

اَللَّهُمَّ وَالِ مَنْ وَالاَهُ

allahumma wali man walahu
O Allah, (please do) support those who support `Ali,

وَعَادِ مَنْ عَادَاهُ

wa `adi man `adahu
be the enemy of those who incur the hostility of `Ali,

وَٱنْصُرْ مَنْ نَصَرَهُ

wansur man nasarahu
give victory to those who stand by `Ali,

وَٱخْذُلْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُ.“

wakhdhul man khadhalahu
and disappoint those who disappoint `Ali.”

فَمَا آمَنَ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيكَ عَلَىٰ نَبِيِّهِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ

fama amana bima anzala allahu fika `ala nabiyyihi illa qalilun
Nevertheless, none believed in what Allah has revealed to His Prophet about you except a few.

وَلاَ زَادَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ غَيْرَ تَخْيِيرٍ

wa la zada aktharahum ghayra takhyyirin
Similarly, this (Divinely commissioned) declaration did not increase others but obstinacy.

وَلَقَدْ أَنْزَلَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ فِيكَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَ:

wa laqad anzala allahu ta`ala fika min qablu wa hum karihuna
In defiance of them, Almighty Allah had revealed in this connection:

”يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ

ya ayyuha alladhina amanu
“O you who believe!

مَنْ يَرْتَدَّ مِنْكُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ

man yartadda minkum `an dinihi
Whoever from among you turns back from his religion,

فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ

fasawfa ya'ti allahu biqawmin yuhibbuhum wa yuhibbunahu
then Allah will bring a people. He shall love them and they shall love Him.

أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَىٰ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

adhillatin `ala almu'minina
(They shall be) lowly before the believers,

أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَىٰ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ

a`izzatin `ala alkafirina
mighty against the unbelievers.

يُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

yujahiduna fi sabili allahi
They shall strive hard in Allah's way

وَلاَ يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لاَئِمٍ

wa la yakhafuna lawmata la'imin
and shall not fear the censure of any censurer.

ذٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ

dhalika fadlu allahi yu'tihi man yasha'u
This is Allah's favor; He gives it to whom He pleases.

وَٱللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ.

wallahu wasi`un `alimun
And Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.

إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ

innama waliyyukum allahu wa rasuluhu walladhina amanu
Only Allah is your Guardian and His Messenger and those who believe:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلاَةَ

alladhina yuqimuna alssalata
those who keep up prayers

وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ.

wa yu'tuna alzzakata wa hum raki`una
and give alms while they are in the state of the genuflection of prayer.

وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ

wa man yatawalla allaha wa rasulahu walladhina amanu
And whoever takes Allah and His messenger and those who believe for a guardian,

فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَالِبُونَ.“

fa'inna hizba allahi hum alghalibuna
then, surely, the party of Allah are they that shall be triumphant.”

رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَٱتَّبَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ

rabbana amanna bima anzalta wattaba`na alrrasula
Our Lord! We believe in what You have revealed and we follow the messenger;

فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّاهِدِينَ

faktubna ma`a alshshahidina
so, write us down with those who bear witness.

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا

rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba`da idh hadaytana
Our Lord! Make not our hearts to deviate after You have guided us aright.

وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً

wa hab lana min ladunka rahmatan
And grant us from Your mercy.

إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ

innaka anta alwahhabu
Surely, You are the most liberal Giver.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هٰذَا هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ

allahumma inna na`lamu anna hadha huwa alhaqqu min `indika
O Allah, We do realize that this is the truth whose source is You.

فَٱلْعَنْ مَنْ عَارَضَهُ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ

fal`an man `aradahu wastakbara
So, curse those who object, act arrogantly (towards it),

وَكَذَّبَ بِهِ وَكَفَرَ

wa kadhdhaba bihi wa kafara
belie, and deny it.

وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٱ أَيَّ مُنْقَلَبٍ يَنْقَلِبُونَ

wa saya`lamu alladhina zalamu ayya munqalabin yanqalibuna
And they who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

alssalamu `alayka ya amira almu'minina
Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful,

وَسَيِّدَ ٱلْوَصِيِّينَ

wa sayyida alwasiyyina
chief of the Prophets’ successors,

وَأَوَّلَ ٱلْعَابِدِينَ

wa awwala al`abidina
foremost of the worshippers,

وَأَزْهَدَ ٱلزَّاهِدِينَ

wa azhada alzzahidina
and most ascetic.

وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuhu
May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

وَصَلَوَاتُهُ وَتَحِيَّاتُهُ

wa salawatuhu wa tahiyyatuhu
So be His peace and compliments.

أَنْتَ مُطْعِمُ ٱلطَّعَامِ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَيَتِيماً وَأَسِيراً

anta mut`imu altta`ami `ala hubbihi miskinan wa yatiman wa asiran
It is you who served a poor man, an orphan, and a prisoner with food on account of your love for Him,

لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لاَ تُرِيدُ مِنْهُمْ جَزَاءً وَلاَ شُكُوراً

liwajhi allahi la turidu minhum jaza'an wa la shukuran
(you did so) for the sake of Allah, while you did not ask for reward or thanks.

وَفِيكَ أَنْزَلَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ:

wa fika anzala allahu ta`ala
Hence, Almighty Allah has revealed the following about you:

”وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ

wa yu'thiruna `ala anfusihim wa law kana bihim khasasatun
“And they prefer them to themselves though poverty may afflict them.

وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ.“

wa man yuqa shuhha nafsihi fa'ula'ika hum almuflihuna
And whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones.”

وَأَنْتَ ٱلْكَاظِمُ لِلْغَيْظِ

wa anta alkazimu lilghayzi
Verily, it is you who is the suppressor of rage

وَٱلْعَافِي عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ

wal`afi `an alnnasi
and it is you who is the pardoner of people,

وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

wallahu yuhibbu almuhsinina
and Allah loves the good-doers.

وَأَنْتَ ٱلصَّابِرُ فِي ٱلْبَأْسَاءِ وَٱلضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ

wa anta alssabiru fi alba'sa'i walddarra'i wa hina alba'si
It is also you who is the steadfast in distress and affliction, as well as in times of conflicts.

وَأَنْتَ ٱلْقَاسِمُ بِٱلسَّوِيَّةِ

wa anta alqasimu bilssawiyyati
And it is you who distributes things completely equally,

وَٱلْعَادِلُ فِي ٱلرَّعِيَّةِ

wal`adilu fi alrra`iyyati
who is just among the subjects,

وَٱلْعَالِمُ بِحُدُودِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ ٱلْبَرِيَّةِ

wal`alimu bihududi allahi min jami`i albariyyati
and the one having full acquaintance with the laws of Allah among all people.

وَٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ أَخْبَرَ عَمَّا أَوْلاَكَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ بِقَوْلِهِ:

wallahu ta`ala akhbara `amma awlaka min fadlihi biqawlihi
Informing about the favors that He has conferred upon you, Allah the All-exalted says,

”أَفَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً كَمَنْ كَانَ فَاسِقاً؟

afaman kana mu'minan kaman kana fasiqan
“Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor?

لاَ يَسْتَوُونَ.

la yastawuna
They are not equal.

أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ وَعَمِلُوٱ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ

amma alladhina amanu wa `amilu alssalihati
As for those who believe and do good,

فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلاً بِمَا كَانُوٱ يَعْمَلُونَ.“

falahum jannatu alma'wa nuzulan bima kanu ya`maluna
the gardens of Paradise are their abiding-place; an entertainment for what they did.”

وَأَنْتَ ٱلْمَخْصُوصُ بِعِلْمِ ٱلتَّنْزِيلِ

wa anta almakhsusu bi`ilmi alttanzili
It is you to whom the knowledge of the Divine Revelation is given exclusively

وَحُكْمِ ٱلتَّأْوِيلِ

wa hukmi altta'wili
as well as the laws of true interpretation (of the Holy Qur'an)

وَنَصِّ ٱلرَّسُولِ

wa nassi alrrasuli
and the words of the Messenger.

وَلَكَ ٱلْمَوَاقِفُ ٱلْمَشْهُودَةُ

wa laka almawaqifu almashhudatu
You are known for your unforgettable situations,

وَٱلْمَقَامَاتُ ٱلْمَشْهُورَةُ

walmaqamatu almashhuratu
renowned positions,

وَٱلأَيَّامُ ٱلْمَذْكُورَةُ

wal-ayyamu almadhkuratu
and memorable events,

يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ وَيَوْمَ ٱلأَحْزَابِ:

yawma badrin wa yawma al-ahzabi
in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of the Allies (al-Ahzab):

”إِذْ زَاغَتِ ٱلأَبْصَارُ وَبَلَغَتِ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلْحَنَاجِرَ

idh zaghat al-absaru wa balaghat alqulubu alhanajira
“When the eyes turned dull, and the hearts rose up to the throats,

وَتَظُنّونَ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلظّنُونَٱ

wa tazunnuna billahi alzzununa
and you began to think diverse thoughts of Allah.

هُنَالِكَ ٱبْتُلِيَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَزُلْزِلُوٱ زِلْزَالاً شَدِيداً.

hunalika ibtuliya almu'minuna wa zulzilu zilzalan shadidan
There, the believers were tried and they were shaken with severe shaking.

وَإِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَافِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ:

wa idh yaqulu almunafiquna walladhina fi qulubihim maradun
And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was a disease began to say:

مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ إِلاَّ غُرُوراً.

ma wa`adana allahu wa rasuluhu illa ghururan
‘Allah and His Messenger did not promise us (victory) but only to deceive.’

وَإِذْ قَالَتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ:

wa idh qalat ta'ifatun minhum
And when a party of them said,

يَا أَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لاَ مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَٱرْجِعُوٱ

ya ahla yathriba la muqama lakum farji`u
‘O people of Yathrib! There is no place to stand for you here; therefore, go back.’

وَيَسْتَأْذِنُ فَرِيقٌ مِنْهُمُ ٱلنَّبِيَّ

wa yasta'dhinu fariqun minhum alnnabiyya
And a party of them asked permission of the prophet,

يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌ

yaquluna inna buyutana `awratun
saying: ‘Surely, our houses are exposed.’

وَمَا هِيَ بِعَوْرَةٍ إِنْ يُرِيدُونَ إِلاَّ فِرَاراً.“

wa ma hiya bi`awratin in yuriduna illa firaran
And they were not exposed; they only desired to fly away.”

وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ:

wa qala allahu ta`ala
Almighty Allah has also said:

”وَلَمَّا رَأَىٰ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلأَحْزَابَ قَالُوٱ:

wa lamma ra'a almu'minuna al-ahzaba qalu
“And when the believers saw the allies, they said:

هٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

hadha ma wa`adana allahu wa rasuluhu
‘This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us.

وَصَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ؛

wa sadaqa allahu wa rasuluhu
And Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.’

وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلاَّ إِيـمَاناً وَتَسْلِيماً.“

wa ma zadahum illa imanan wa tasliman
And it only increased them in faith and submission.”

فَقَتَلْتَ عَمْرَوهُمْ

faqatalta `amrahum
On that day, you (O `Ali) killed their knight, `Amr (ibn `Abd-Wadd)

وَهَزَمْتَ جَمْعَهُمْ

wa hazamta jam`ahum
and defeated their allies:

”وَرَدَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٱ بِغَيْظِهِمْ

wa radda allahu alladhina kafaru bighayzihim
“And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage.

لَمْ يَنَالُوٱ خَيْراً

lam yanalu khayran
They did not obtain any advantage.

وَكَفَىٰ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلْقِتَالَ

wa kafa allahu almu'minina alqitala
And Allah sufficed the believers in fighting.

وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ قَوِيّاً عَزِيزاً.“

wa kana allahu qawiyyan `azizan
And Allah is Strong, Mighty.”

وَيَوْمَ أُحُدٍ: ”إِذْ يُصْعِدُونَ وَلاَ يَلْوُونَ عَلَىٰ أَحَدٍ

wa yawma uhudin idh yus`iduna wa la yalwuna `ala ahadin
On the Battle of Uhud: “When they ran off precipitately and did not wait for any one

وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوهُمْ فِي أُخْرَاهُمْ.“

walrrasulu yad`uhum fi ukhrahum
and the Messenger was calling them from their rear.”

وَأَنْتَ تَذُودُ بِهِمُ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّبِيِّ

wa anta tadhudu bihim almushrikina `an alnnabiyyi
And you were engaged in preventing the polytheists from reaching the Prophet,

ذَاتَ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ

dhata alyamini wa dhata alshshimali
on both sides—the right and the left,

حَتَّىٰ رَدَّهُمُ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ عَنْكُمَا خَائِفِينَ

hatta raddahum allahu ta`ala `ankuma kha'ifina
until Almighty Allah drove them back, full of fear.

وَنَصَرَ بِكَ ٱلْخَاذِلِينَ

wa nasara bika alkhadhilina
Hence, He gave victory, by means of you, to the disappointing ones.

وَيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ عَلَىٰ مَا نَطَقَ بِهِ ٱلتَّنْزِيلُ:

wa yawma hunaynin `ala ma nataqa bihi alttanzilu
On the Battle of Hunayn, as is accounted by the Divine Revelation:

”إِذْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ كَثْرَتُكُمْ فَلَمْ تُغْنِ عَنْكُمْ شَيْئاً

idh a`jabatkum kathratukum falam tughni `ankum shay'an
“When your great numbers made you vain, but they availed you nothing.

وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ

wa daqat `alaykum al-ardu bima rahubat
And the earth became strait to you notwithstanding its spaciousness,

ثُمَّ وَلَّيْتُمْ مُدْبِرِينَ.

thumma wallaytum mudbirina
then you turned back retreating.

ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ وَعَلَىٰ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ.“

thumma anzala allahu sakinatahu `ala rasulihi wa `ala almu'minina
Then, Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers.”

وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ أَنْتَ وَمَنْ يَلِيكَ

walmu'minuna anta wa man yalika
“The believers” were you and your party.

وَعَمُّكَ ٱلْعَبَّاسُ يُنَادِي ٱلْمُنْهَزِمِينَ:

wa `ammuka al`abbasu yunadi almunhazimina
You uncle, al-`Abbas, was calling at the defeated party:

يَا أَصْحَابَ سُورَةِ ٱلْبَقَرَةِ

ya ashaba surati albaqarati
“O companions of Surah al-Baqarah!

يَا أَهْلَ بَيْعَةِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ

ya ahla bay`ati alshshajarati
O owners of the Allegiance of the Tree!”

حَتَّىٰ ٱسْتَجَابَ لَهُ قَوْمٌ قَدْ كَفَيْتَهُمُ ٱلْمَؤُونَةَ

hatta istajaba lahu qawmun qad kafaytahum alma'unata
He still shouted until a group responded to him, and it was you who replaced them in fighting,

وَتَكَفَّلْتَ دُونَهُمُ ٱلْمَعُونَةَ

wa takaffalta dunahum alma`unata
and it was you who aided the Prophet instead of them.

فَعَادُوٱ آيِسِينَ مِنَ ٱلْمَثُوبَةِ

fa`adu ayisina min almathubati
They therefore returned free from reward,

رَاجِينَ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ تَعَالَىٰ بِٱلتَّوْبَةِ

rajina wa`da allahi ta`ala bilttawbati
and hoping for repentance, as was promised by Almighty Allah.

وَذٰلِكَ قَوْلُ ٱللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ:

wa dhalika qawlu allahi jalla dhikruhu
He, majestic be His mention, says,

”ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ عَلَىٰ مَنْ يَشَاءُ.“

thumma yatubu allahu min ba`di dhalika `ala man yasha'u
“Then will Allah, after this, turn mercifully to whom He pleases.”

وَأَنْتَ حَائِزٌ دَرَجَةَ ٱلصَّبْرِ

wa anta ha'izun darajata alssabri
As for you, you were awarded the rank of steadfastness

فَائِزٌ بِعَظِيمِ ٱلأَجْرِ

fa'izun bi`azimi al-ajri
and prized the great reward.

وَيَوْمَ خَيْبَرَ إِذْ أَظْهَرَ ٱللَّهُ خَوَرَ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ

wa yawma khaybara idh azhara allahu khawara almunafiqina
On the Battle of Khaybar, when Allah exposed the cowardice of the hypocrites

وَقَطَعَ دَابِرَ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ

wa qata`a dabira alkafirina
and cut off the roots of the atheists,

وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ:

walhamdu lillahi rabbi al`alamina
so, all praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds (for that):

”وَلَقَدْ كَانُوٱ عَاهَدُوٱ ٱللَّهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ لاَ يُوَلُّونَ ٱلأَدْبَارَ

wa laqad kanu `ahadu allaha min qablu la yuwalluna al-adbara
“And, certainly, they had made a covenant with Allah before, that they would not turn their backs.

وَكَانَ عَهْدُ ٱللَّهِ مَسْؤُولاً.“

wa kana `ahdu allahi mas'ulan
And Allah's covenant shall be inquired of.”

مَوْلاَيَ أَنْتَ ٱلْحُجَّةُ ٱلْبَالِغَةُ

mawlaya anta alhujjatu albalighatu
O master, you are the conclusive argument (of Allah),

وَٱلْمَحَجَّةُ ٱلْوَاضِحَةُ

walmahajjatu alwadihatu
the clear course,

وَٱلنِّعْمَةُ ٱلسَّابِغَةُ

walnni`matu alssabighatu
the poured grace,

وَٱلْبُرْهَانُ ٱلْمُنِيرُ

walburhanu almuniru
and the radiant evidence.

فَهَنِيئاً لَكَ بِمَا آتَاكَ ٱللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلٍ

fahani'an laka bima ataka allahu min fadlin
So, congratulations, for the favors that Allah has given you.

وَتَبّاً لِشَانِئِكَ ذِي ٱلْجَهْلِ

wa tabban lishani'ika dhi aljahli
perdition overtake your enemies, the ignorant!

شَهِدْتَ مَعَ ٱلنَّبِيِّ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

shahidta ma`a alnnabiyyi salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi
You presented yourself with the Prophet—peace be upon him and his Household—

جَمِيعَ حُرُوبِهِ وَمَغَازِيهِ

jami`a hurubihi wa maghazihi
during all battles and expeditions that he led;

تَحْمِلُ ٱلرَّايَةَ أَمَامَهُ

tahmilu alrrayata amamahu
you always carried the pennon with him

وَتَضْرِبُ بِٱلسَّيْفِ قُدَّامَهُ

wa tadribu bilssayfi quddamahu
and stroke (the enemies) with your sword before him.

ثُمَّ لِحَزْمِكَ ٱلْمَشْهُورِ

thumma lihazmika almashhuri
Then, due to your prominent determination

وَبَصِيرَتِكَ فِي ٱلأُمُورِ

wa basiratika fi al-umuri
and your sagacity in all affairs,

أَمَّرَكَ فِي ٱلْمَوَاطِنِ

ammaraka fi almawatini
he (i.e. the Prophet) appointed you as the commander on all occasions,

وَلَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْكَ أَمِيرٌ

wa lam yakun `alayka amirun
and you were never under the commandment of another.

وَكَمْ مِنْ أَمْرٍ صَدَّكَ عَنْ إِمْضَاءِ عَزْمِكَ فِيهِ ٱلتُّقَىٰ

wa kam min amrin saddaka `an imda'i `azmika fihi alttuqa
On many occasions, your piety prevented you from doing what you had decided about a matter,

وَٱتَّبَعَ غَيْرُكَ فِي مِثْلِهِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ

wattaba`a ghayruka fi mithlihi alhawa
while your rival followed his (personal) lust and committed that matter.

فَظَنَّ ٱلْجَاهِلُونَ أَنَّكَ عَجَزْتَ عَمَّا إِلَيْهِ ٱنْتَهَىٰ

fazanna aljahiluna annaka `ajazta `amma ilayhi antaha
Thus, the ignorant ones thought that you were incapable of doing that which had been done by your rival!

ضَلَّ وَٱللَّهِ الظَّانُّ لِذٰلِكَ وَمَا ٱهْتَدَىٰ

dalla wallahi alzzannu lidhalika wa ma ihtada
I swear by Allah that any one who thought so had missed the right thing and had never found the true guidance.

وَلَقَدْ أَوْضَحْتَ مَا أَشْكَلَ مِنْ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ تَوَهَّمَ وَٱمْتَرَىٰ

wa laqad awdahta ma ashkala min dhalika liman tawahhama wamtara
However, you clarified the misunderstanding in which those who fancied and doubted fell

بِقَوْلِكَ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ:

biqawlika salla allahu `alayka
by your saying—may Allah’s peace be upon you:

”قَدْ يَرَىٰ ٱلْحُوَّلُ ٱلْقُلَّبُ وَجْهَ ٱلْحِيلَةِ

qad yara alhuwwalu alqullabu wajha alhilati
“One who has been through thick and thin of life finds the excuses

وَدُونَهَا حَاجِزٌ مِنْ تَقْوَىٰ ٱللَّهِ

wa dunaha hajizun min taqwa allahi
to be preventing him from orders and prohibitions of Allah,

فَيَدَعُهَا رَأْيَ ٱلْعَيْنِ

fayada`uha ra'ya al`ayni
but he disregards them despite capability (to succumb to them and instead follows the commands of Allah),

وَيَنْتَهِزُ فُرْصَتَهَا مَنْ لاَ حَرِيجَةَ لَهُ فِي ٱلدِّينِ.“

wa yantahizu fursataha man la harijata lahu fi alddini
while one who has no restraints of religion seizes the opportunity (and accepts the excuses for not following the commands of Allah).”

صَدَقْتَ وَٱللَّهِ وَخَسِرَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ

sadaqta wallahi wa khasira almubtiluna
You have said the very truth; I swear it by Allah, and the followers of vanity are indeed losers.

وَإِذْ مَاكَرَكَ ٱلنَّاكِثَانِ

wa idh makaraka alnnakithani
And when the two preachers (of their allegiance) tried to deceive you;

فَقَالاَ: نُرِيدُ ٱلْعُمْرَةَ.

faqala nuridu al`umrata
and said, “We want to go on `umrah!”

فَقُلْتَ لَهُمَا: لَعَمْرُكُمَا مَا تُرِيدَانِ ٱلْعُمْرَةَ

faqulta lahuma la`amrukuma ma turidani al`umrata
You thus answered them, “I swear by your lives; you do not want to go on `umrah;

لكِنْ تُرِيدَانِ ٱلْغَدْرَةَ.

lakin turidani alghadrata
rather, you want to betray me!”

فَأَخَذْتَ ٱلْبَيْعَةَ عَلَيْهِمَا

fa'akhadhta albay`ata `alayhima
Hence, you made covenant with them again

وَجَدَّدْتَ ٱلْمِيثَاقَ

wa jaddadta almithaqa
and you renewed their allegiance to you;

فَجَدَّا فِي ٱلنِّفَاقِ

fajadda fi alnnifaqi
but they exerted all efforts to act hypocritically.

فَلَمَّا نَبَّهْتَهُمَا عَلَىٰ فِعْلِهِمَا أَغْفَلاَ وَعَادَا وَمَا ٱنْتَفَعَا

falamma nabbahtahuma `ala fi`lihima aghfala wa `ada wa ma intafa`a
And when you drew their attentions to this act, they neglected, redid it again, and did not follow your advice.

وَكَانَ عَاقِبَةُ أَمْرِهِمَا خُسْراً

wa kana `aqibatu amrihima khusran
Thus, their end result was loss.

ثُمَّ تَلاَهُمَا أَهْلُ ٱلشَّامِ

thumma talahuma ahlu alshshami
After them, the people of Syria (mutinied)!

فَسِرْتَ إِلَيْهِمْ بَعْدَ ٱلإِعْذَارِ

fasirta ilayhim ba`da al-i`dhari
So, you went to fight them after you had provided all excuses,

وَهُمْ لاَ يَدِينُونَ دِينَ ٱلْحَقِّ

wa hum la yadinuna dina alhaqqi
while they did not follow the true religion

وَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْآنَ

wa la yatadabbaruna alqur'ana
neither did they understand the Qur'an.

هَمَجٌ رُعَاعٌ ضَالُّونَ

hamajun ru`a`un dalluna
They were rabble, rot, and deviants,

وَبِٱلَّذِي أُنْزِلَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ فِيكَ كَافِرُونَ

wa billadhi unzila `ala muhammadin fika kafiruna
and they were unbelievers in what was revealed to Muhammad about your leadership,

وَلأَهْلِ ٱلْخِلاَفِ عَلَيْكَ نَاصِرُونَ

wa li'ahli alkhilafi `alayka nasiruna
and they were supporters of those who antagonized you.

وَقَدْ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ بِٱتِّبَاعِكَ

wa qad amara allahu ta`ala bittiba`ika
While, Almighty Allah ordered everyone to follow you

وَنَدَبَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَىٰ نَصْرِكَ

wa nadaba almu'minina ila nasrika
and instructed the believers to support you.

وَقَالَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

wa qala `azza wa jalla
He, the Almighty and All-majestic, has said in this respect:

”يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوٱ

ya ayyuha alladhina amanu
“O you who believe!

ٱتَّقُوٱ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوٱ مَعَ ٱلصَّادِقِينَ.“

ittaqu allaha wa kunu ma`a alssadiqina
Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful.”

مَوْلاَيَ بِكَ ظَهَرَ ٱلْحَقُّ

mawlaya bika zahara alhaqqu
O master, through you did the right manifest itself,

وَقَدْ نَبَذَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ

wa qad nabadhahu alkhalqu
but the people discarded it.

وَأَوْضَحْتَ ٱلسُّنَنَ بَعْدَ ٱلدُّرُوسِ وَٱلطَّمْسِ

wa awdahta alssunana ba`da alddurusi walttamsi
And you made clear the (Prophetic) traditions after they had been eradicated and confused.

فَلَكَ سَابِقَةُ ٱلْجِهَادِ عَلَىٰ تَصْدِيقِ ٱلتَّنْزِيلِ

falaka sabiqatu aljihadi `ala tasdiqi alttanzili
Hence, you enjoy the priority of struggling for the sake of confirming the Divine Revelation,

وَلَكَ فَضِيلَةُ ٱلْجِهَادِ عَلَىٰ تَحْقِيقِ ٱلتَّأْوِيلِ

wa laka fadilatu aljihadi `ala tahqiqi altta'wili
and you enjoy the virtue of struggling for the sake of confirming the true interpretation (of the Divine Revelation).

وَعَدُوُّكَ عَدُوُّ ٱللَّهِ جَاحِدٌ لِرَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ

wa `aduwwuka `aduwwu allahi jahidun lirasuli allahi
Your enemy is in fact the enemy of Allah and the denier of Allah’s Messenger.

يَدْعُو بَاطِلاً وَيَحْكُمُ جَائِراً

yad`u batilan wa yahkumu ja'iran
Your enemy thus calls for vanity, judges unfairly,

وَيَتَأَمَّرُ غَاصِباً وَيَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ إِلَىٰ ٱلنَّارِ

wa yata'ammaru ghasiban wa yad`u hizbahu ila alnnari
usurps the position of rule, and drives his fans to Hellfire.

وَعَمَّارٌ يُجَاهِدُ وَيُنَادِي بَيْنَ ٱلصَّفَّيْنِ:

wa `ammarun yujahidu wa yunadi bayna alssaffayni
While `Ammar (ibn Yasir) strove and called at the two parties (of the battle):

”الرَّوَاحَ ٱلرَّوَاحَ إِلَىٰ ٱلْجَنَّةِ.“

alrrawaha alrrawaha ila aljannati
“How eager I am to join Paradise!”

وَلَمَّا ٱسْتَسْقَىٰ فَسُقِيَ ٱللَّبَنَ كَبَّرَ وَقَالَ:

wa lamma istasqa fasuqiya allabana kabbara wa qala
When he then asked for a drink, he was served with a drink of milk; he thus shouted, glorifying Allah, and said:

”قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ:

qala li rasulu allahi salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi
“The Messenger of Allah—peace of Allah be upon him and his Household—did say to me:

’آخِرُ شَرَابِكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ضَيَاحٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ

akhiru sharabika min alddunya dayahun min labanin
‘The last drink that you will have in this world is a cup of milk,

وَتَقْتُلُكَ ٱلْفِئَةُ ٱلْبَاغِيَةُ.‘“

wa taqtuluka alfi'atu albaghiyatu
and the transgressing party will kill you.’”

فَٱعْتَرَضَهُ أَبُو ٱلْعَادِيَةِ ٱلْفَزَارِيُّ فَقَتَلَهُ

fa`taradahu abul`adiyati alfazariyyu faqatalahu
Thus, Abu’l-`ªdiyah al-Fazari faced and killed him.

فَعَلَىٰ أَبِي ٱلْعَادِيَةِ لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ

fa`ala abil`adiyati la`natu allahi
The curse of Allah

وَلَعْنَةُ مَلاَئِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ

wa la`natu mala'ikatihi wa rusulihi ajma`ina
and the curse of all His angels and Messengers be upon this Abu’l-`ªdiyah,

وَعَلَىٰ مَنْ سَلَّ سَيْفَهُ عَلَيْكَ

wa `ala man salla sayfahu `alayka
upon any one who unsheathed a sword against you,

وَسَلَلْتَ سَيْفَكَ عَلَيْهِ

wa salalta sayfaka `alayhi
and upon any one against whom you unsheathed your sword—

يَا أَمِيرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

ya amira almu'minina
O Commander of the Faithful—

مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

min almushrikina walmunafiqina ila yawmi alddini
(Curse be upon) the polytheists and the hypocrites up to the Religion Day.

وَعَلَىٰ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِمَا سَاءَكَ

wa `ala man radiya bima sa'aka
Curse be also upon any one whom is pleased by whatever upsets you,

وَلَمْ يَكْرَهْهُ وَأَغْمَضَ عَيْنَهُ وَلَمْ يُنْكِرْ

wa lam yakrahhu wa aghmada `aynahu wa lam yunkir
and curse be upon any one who is not passive for whatever upsets you and upon any one who bypasses and does not deny,

أَوْ أَعَانَ عَلَيْكَ بِيَدٍ أَوْ لِسَانٍ

aw a`ana `alayka biyadin aw lisanin
and upon any one who supports your rivals by deeds or words,

أَوْ قَعَدَ عَنْ نَصْرِكَ

aw qa`ada `an nasrika
and upon any one who fails to support you,

أَوْ خَذَلَ عَنِ ٱلْجِهَادِ مَعَكَ

aw khadhala `an aljihadi ma`aka
and upon any one who slackens to fight with you,

أَوْ غَمَطَ فَضْلَكَ

aw ghamata fadlaka
and upon any one who despises your merits,

وَجَحَدَ حَقَّكَ

wa jahada haqqaka
and upon any one who denies your right,

أَوْ عَدَلَ بِكَ مَنْ جَعَلَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ

aw `adala bika man ja`alaka allahu awla bihi min nafsihi
and upon any one who leaves you and joins one upon whom Almighty Allah has given you priority.

وَصَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

wa salawatu allahi `alayka wa rahmatu allahi wa barakatuhu
Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings,

وَسَلامُهُ وَتَحِيَّاتُهُ

wa salamuhu wa tahiyyatuhu
compliments, and greetings

وَعَلَىٰ ٱلأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ آلِكَ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ

wa `ala al-a'immati min alika alttahirina
be upon you and upon the Imams from your Immaculate Household.

إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

innahu hamidun majidun
Verily, Allah is Praised and Glorious.

وَالأَمْرُ ٱلأَعْجَبُ

wal-amru al-a`jabu
What is more astounding

وَٱلْخَطْبُ ٱلأَفْظَعُ بَعْدَ جَحْدِكَ حَقَّكَ

walkhatbu al-afza`u ba`da jahdika haqqaka
and more horrible than usurping your right

غَصْبُ ٱلصِّدِّيقَةِ ٱلطَّاهِرَةِ ٱلزَّهْرَاءِ سَيِّدَةِ ٱلنِّسَاءِ فَدَكاً

ghasbu alssiddiqati alttahirati alzzahra'i sayyidati alnnisa'i fadakan
is the usurpation of Fadak from the veracious, pure, and luminous Lady, the doyenne of the women of the world!

وَرَدُّ شَهَادَتِكَ وَشَهَادَةِ ٱلسَّيِّدَيْنِ سُلالَتِكَ

wa raddu shahadatika wa shahadati alssayyidayni sulalatika
As well as the rejection of your testimony and the testimonies of the two masters—your descendants,

وَعِتْرَةِ ٱلْمُصْطَفَىٰ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ

wa `itrati almustafa salla allahu `alaykum
and the Household of the Chosen Prophet, may Allah’s peace be upon you all.

وَقَدْ أَعْلَىٰ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ عَلَىٰ ٱلأُمَّةِ دَرَجَتَكُمْ

wa qad a`la allahu ta`ala `ala al-ummati darajatakum
Whereas Almighty Allah has elevated you in rank over the nation,

وَرَفَعَ مَنْزِلَتَكُمْ

wa rafa`a manzilatakum
raised your positions,

وَأَبَانَ فَضْلَكُمْ وَشَرَفَكُمْ عَلَىٰ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

wa abana fadlakum wa sharafakum `ala al`alamina
and demonstrated your preference and honorable favorability over all the created beings.

فَأَذْهَبَ عَنْكُمُ ٱلرِّجْسَ وَطَهَّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيراً

fa'adhhaba `ankum alrrijsa wa tahharakum tathiran
He thus removed away filth from you and purified you with the most thorough purification.

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

qala allahu `azza wa jalla
Allah the Almighty and All-majestic says:

”إِنَّ ٱلإِنْسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعاً.

inna al-insana khuliqa halu`an
“Indeed, man is created of a hasty temperament.

إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعاً.

idha massahu alshsharru jazu`an
Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him

وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعاً.

wa idha massahu alkhayru manu`an
and niggardly when good befalls him,

إِلاَّ ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ.“

illa almusallina
except those who pray.”

فَٱسْتَثْنَىٰ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ نَبِيَّهُ ٱلْمُصْطَفَىٰ

fastathna allahu ta`ala nabiyyahu almustafa
Hence, Almighty Allah has excluded His Chosen Prophet

وَأَنْتَ يَا سَيِّدَ ٱلأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ ٱلْخَلْقِ

wa anta ya sayyida al-awsiya'i min jami`i alkhalqi
you, the chief of the Prophets’ successors, from among all His beings.

فَمَا أَعْمَهَ مَنْ ظَلَمَكَ عَنِ ٱلْحَقِّ

fama a`maha man zalamaka `an alhaqqi
How deviant from the right he who has wronged you is!

ثُمَّ أَفْرَضُوكَ سَهْمَ ذَوِي ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ مَكْراً

thumma afraduka sahma dhawi alqurba makran
They then deceptively decided the share of ‘Near of Kin’ to be for you,

وَأَحَادُوهُ عَنْ أَهْلِهِ جَوْراً

wa ahaduhu `an ahlihi jawran
after they wrongly deprived its meritorious people of it.

فَلَمَّا آلَ ٱلأَمْرُ إِلَيْكَ أَجْرَيْتَهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَجْرَيَا

falamma ala al-amru ilayka ajraytahum `ala ma ajraya
When the matter (of rule) was returned to you, you continued carrying out what they had decided,

رَغْبَةً عَنْهُمَا بِمَا عِنْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَكَ

raghbatan `anhuma bima `inda allahi laka
because you desired for what is stored by Allah for you.

فَأَشْبَهَتْ مِحْنَتُكَ بِهِمَا مِحَنَ ٱلأَنْبِيَاءِ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلاَمُ

fa'ashbahat mihnatuka bihima mihana al-anbiya'i `alayhimu alssalamu
Your ordeals are thus similar to the ordeals encountered by the Prophets, peace be upon them,

عِنْدَ ٱلْوَحْدَةِ وَعَدَمِ ٱلأَنْصَارِ

`inda alwahdati wa `adami al-ansari
who also faced loneliness and absence of supporters.

وَأَشْبَهْتَ فِي ٱلْبَيَاتِ عَلَىٰ الْفِرَاشِ ٱلذَّبِيحَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلاَمُ

wa ashbahta fi albayati `ala alfirashi aldhdhabiha `alayhi alssalamu
As you replaced the Prophet by spending that night on his bed instead of him, this situation was similar to the situation of the self-sacrificing Prophet, peace be upon him.

إِذْ أَجَبْتَ كَمَا أَجَابَ

idh ajabta kama ajaba
Because you responded (to the Prophet’s order) in the same way as he (i.e. Prophet Isma`il) responded (to his father’s request),

وَأَطَعْتَ كَمَا أَطَاعَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً

wa ata`ta kama ata`a isma`ilu sabiran muhtasiban
and you obeyed the Prophet in the same way as (Prophet) Isma`il obeyed with steadfastness and reliance upon Allah.

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ: يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَىٰ فِي ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ

idh qala lahu ya bunayya inni ara fi almanami anni adhbahuka
Hence, when his father said to him, ‘O my son! Surely, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you;

فَٱنْظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ.

fanzur madha tara
consider then what you see.’

قَالَ: يَا أَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ

qala ya abati if`al ma tu'maru
He said, ‘O my father! Do what you are commanded;

سَتَجِدُنِي إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ.

satajiduni in sha'a allahu min alssabirina
if Allah please, you will find me of the patient ones.’

وَكَذٰلِكَ أَنْتَ لَمَّا أَبَاتَكَ ٱلنَّبِيُّ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ

wa kadhalika anta lamma abataka alnnabiyyu salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi
The same situation with you, when the Prophet—peace be upon him and his Household—chose you to replace him,

وَأَمَرَكَ أَنْ تَضْجَعَ فِي مَرْقَدِهِ

wa amaraka an tadja`a fi marqadihi
and ordered you to sleep in his bed instead of him

وَاقِياً لَهُ بِنَفْسِكَ

waqiyan lahu binafsika
so that you should protect him by sacrificing yourself for him,

أَسْرَعْتَ إِلَىٰ إِجَابَتِهِ مُطِيعاً

asra`ta ila ijabatihi muti`an
you quickly responded to his request with obedience,

وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَىٰ الْقَتْلِ مُوَطِّناً

wa linafsika `ala alqatli muwattinan
by exposing yourself to killing fearlessly.

فَشَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ طَاعَتَكَ

fashakara allahu ta`ala ta`ataka
So, Allah the All-exalted appreciated this obedience to him

وَأَبَانَ عَنْ جَمِيلِ فِعْلِكَ بِقَوْلِهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ:

wa abana `an jamili fi`lika biqawlihi jalla dhikruhu
and He, majestic be His mention, declared your excellent deed by saying:

”وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ٱبْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاةِ ٱللَّهِ.“

wa min alnnasi man yashri nafsahu ibtigha'a mardati allahi
“And among men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah.”

ثُمَّ مِحْنَتُكَ يَوْمَ صِفِّينَ

thumma mihnatuka yawma siffina
Then, your ordeal on the Battle of Siffin,

وَقَدْ رُفِعَتِ ٱلْمَصَاحِفُ حِيلَةً وَمَكْراً

wa qad rufi`at almasahifu hilatan wa makran
when books of the Qur'an were raised (on spearheads) out of trickery and deception,

فَأَعْرَضَ ٱلشَّكُّ

fa'a`rada alshshakku
causing doubt to be aroused,

وَعُزِفَ ٱلْحَقُّ

wa `uzifa alhaqqu
the truth to be neglected,

وَٱتُّبِعَ ٱلظَّنُّ

wattubi`a alzzannu
and conjecture to be followed,

أَشْبَهَتْ مِحْنَةَ هَارُونَ إِذْ أَمَّرَهُ مُوسَىٰ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَتَفَرَّقُوٱ عَنْهُ

ashbahat mihnata haruna idh ammarahu musa `ala qawmihi fatafarraqu `anhu
this ordeal was similar to the ordeal of (Prophet) Aaron when (Prophet) Moses appointed him as the leader of his people, but they left him alone,

وَهَارُونُ يُنَادِي بِهِمْ وَيَقُولُ:

wa harunu yunadi bihim wa yaqulu
while (Prophet) Aaron was calling at them, saying:

يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنْتُمْ بِهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمٰنُ

ya qawmi innama futintum bihi wa inna rabbakum alrrahmanu
‘O my people! You are only tried by it, and surely your Lord is the Beneficent Allah.

فَٱتَّبِعُونِي وَأَطِيعُوٱ أَمْرِي.

fattabi`uni wa ati`u amri
Therefore, follow me and obey my order.’

قَالُوٱْ: لَنْ نَبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عَاكِفِينَ حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ.

qalu lan nabraha `alayhi `akifina hatta yarji`a ilayna musa
They said, ‘We will by no means cease to keep to its worship until Moses returns to us.’

وَكَذٰلِكَ أَنْتَ لَمَّا رُفِعَتِ ٱلْمَصَاحِفُ قُلْتَ:

wa kadhalika anta lamma rufi`at almasahifu qulta
Similarly, when the books of the Qur'an were raised (on spearheads), you said:

يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنْتُمْ بِهَا وَخُدِعْتُمْ

ya qawmi innama futintum biha wa khudi`tum
‘O my people, you are only tried by this and you have been surely cheated.’

فَعَصَوْكَ وَخَالَفُوٱ عَلَيْكَ

fa`asawka wa khalafu `alayka
Nevertheless, they disobeyed you and did the opposite.

وَٱسْتَدْعَوْا نَصْبَ ٱلْحَكَمَيْنِ

wastad`aw nasba alhakamayni
And when they demanded with nominating two arbitrators (one from each party),

فَأَبَيْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَتَبَرَّأْتَ إِلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ فِعْلِهِمْ وَفَوَّضْتَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ

fa'abayta `alayhim wa tabarra'ta ila allahi min fi`lihim wa fawwadtahu ilayhim
you rejected and declared your disavowal of this act before Allah, and then asked them to do whatever they wanted.

فَلَمَّا أَسْفَرَ ٱلْحَقُّ

falamma asfara alhaqqu
Thus, when the truth manifested itself

وَسَفِهَ ٱلْمُنْكَرُ

wa safiha almunkaru
the wrong was proven as futile,

وَٱعْتَرَفُوٱ بِٱلزَّلَلِ وَٱلْجَوْرِ عَنِ ٱلْقَصْدِ

wa`tarafu bilzzalali waljawri `an alqasdi
and they confessed of their flaw and deviation from the right thing,

ٱخْتَلَفُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ

ikhtalafu min ba`dihi
they also mutinied after that

وَأَلْزَمُوكَ عَلَىٰ سَفَهِ ٱلتَّحْكِيمِ ٱلَّذِي أَبَيْتَهُ وَأَحَبُّوهُ

wa alzamuka `ala safahi alttahkimi alladhi abaytahu wa ahabbuhu
and obliged you to commit to the nonsensical result of the arbitration that you had rejected and they had accepted,

وَحَظَرْتَهُ وَأَبَاحُوٱ ذَنْبَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي ٱقْتَرَفُوهُ

wa hazartahu wa abahu dhanbahumu alladhi iqtarafuhu
and you had forbidden it, and they then confessed of the sin that they had committed.

وَأَنْتَ عَلَىٰ نَهْجِ بَصِيرَةٍ وَهُدىٰ

wa anta `ala nahji basiratin wa hudan
While you were following the course of sagacity and true guidance,

وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ سُنَنِ ضَلالَةٍ وَعَمىٰ

wa hum `ala sunani dalalatin wa `aman
they were following the courses of deviation and blindness.

فَمَا زَالُوٱ عَلَىٰ ٱلنِّفَاقِ مُصِرِّينَ

fama zalu `ala alnnifaqi musirrina
Nonetheless, they insisted on hypocrisy

وَفِي ٱلْغَيِّ مُتَرَدِّدِينَ

wa fi alghayyi mutaraddidina
and involved themselves in seduction

حَتَّىٰ أَذَاقَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ

hatta adhaqahum allahu wabala amrihim
until Allah made them taste the evil result of their conduct.

فَأَمَاتَ بِسَيْفِكَ مَنْ عَانَدَكَ فَشَقِيَ وَهَوَىٰ

Fa'amata bisayfika man `anadaka fashaqiya wa hawa
He thus deadened, through your sword, those who mutinied against you, causing them eternal misery and perdition,

وَأَحْيَا بِحُجَّتِكَ مَنْ سَعَدَ فَهُدِيَ

wa ahya bihujjatika man sa`ada fahudiya
and He gave life, through your acting as His argument, to those whom He decided as happy; therefore, they were guided (to the true choice).

صَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ غَادِيَةً وَرَائِحَةً

salawatu allahi `alayka ghadiyatan wa ra'ihatan
Allah’s blessings be upon you, coming and going,

وَعَاكِفَةً وَذَاهِبَةً

wa `akifatan wa dhahibatan
and still and moving.

فَمَا يُحِيطُ ٱلْمَادِحُ وَصْفَكَ

fama yuhitu almadihu wasfaka
Certainly, no one praising you can ever cover your actual characteristics

وَلاَ يُحْبِطُ ٱلطَّاعِنُ فَضْلَكَ

wa la yuhbitu altta`inu fadlaka
and no one criticizing you can ever belittle your merits.

أَنْتَ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَلْقِ عِبَادَةً

anta ahsanu alkhalqi `ibadatan
You are verily the best worshipper of all created beings,

وَأَخْلَصُهُمْ زَهَادَةً

wa akhlasuhum zahadatan
the most sincere in asceticism,

وَأَذَبُّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلدِّينِ

wa adhabbuhum `an alddini
and the most enthusiastic defender of the religion.

أَقَمْتَ حُدُودَ ٱللَّهِ بِجُهْدِكَ

aqamta hududa allahi bijuhdika
You executed the laws of Allah with exceptional efforts

وَفَلَلْتَ عَسَاكِرَ ٱلْمَارِقِينَ بِسَيْفِكَ

wa falalta `asakira almariqina bisayfika
and damaged the armies of the apostates with your sword.

تُخْمِدُ لَهَبَ ٱلْحُرُوبِ بِبَنَانِكَ

tukhmidu lahaba alhurubi bibananika
You can extinguish the flames of battles with your finger,

وَتَهْتِكُ سُتُورَ ٱلشُّبَهِ بِبَيَانِكَ

wa tahtiku sutura alshshubahi bibayanika
tear out the curtains of seditions with your eloquent language,

وَتَكْشِفُ لَبْسَ ٱلْبَاطِلِ عَنْ صَرِيحِ ٱلْحَقِّ

wa takshifu labsa albatili `an sarihi alhaqqi
and distinguish the confusing wrong from the plain right.

لاَ تَأْخُذُكَ فِي ٱللَّهِ لَوْمَةُ لاَئِمٍ

la ta'khudhuka fi allahi lawmatu la'imin
You are never influenced by any censure as long as you work for the sake of Allah.

وَفِي مَدْحِ ٱللَّهِ تَعَالَىٰ لَكَ غِنَىٰ

wa fi madhi allahi ta`ala laka ghinan
The praising of Allah the All-exalted to you suffices

عَنْ مَدْحِ ٱلْمَادِحِينَ وَتَقْرِيظِ ٱلْوَاصِفِينَ

`an madhi almadihina wa taqrizi alwasifina
from the praising of any other one and from the approval of the depicters.

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ:

qala allahu ta`ala
Almighty Allah says:

”مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوٱ مَا عَاهَدُوٱ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ

min almu'minina rijalun sadaqu ma `ahadu allaha `alayhi
“Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah.

فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَىٰ نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوٱ تَبْدِيلاً.“

faminhum man qada nahbahu wa minhum man yantaziru wa ma baddlu tabdilan
So, of them is he who accomplished his vow, of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed in the least.”

وَلَمَّا رَأَيْتَ أَنْ قَتَلْتَ ٱلنَّاكِثِينَ وَٱلْقَاسِطِينَ وَٱلْمَارِقِينَ

wa lamma ra'ayta an qatalta alnnakithina walqasitina walmariqina
After you felt that you had killed the preachers, the wrongdoers, and the apostates,

وَصَدَقَكَ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعْدَهُ

wa sadaqaka rasulu allahi salla allahu `alayhi wa alihi wa`dahu
the predictions of Allah’s Messenger—peace be upon him and his Household—came true,

فَأَوْفَيْتَ بِعَهْدِهِ قُلْتَ:

fa'awfayta bi`ahdihi qulta
and you had fulfilled your promise to him, you then said:

أَمَا آنَ أَنْ تُخْضَبَ هٰذِهِ مِنْ هٰذِهِ؟

ama ana an tukhdaba hadhihi min hadhihi
“Has time not come yet so that this (beard) shall be dyed with the blood of this (head)?

أَمْ مَتَىٰ يُبْعَثُ أَشْقَاهَا؟

am mata yub`athu ashqaha
When will the most unfortunate of them be sent (to slay me)?”

وَاثِقاً بِأَنَّكَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكَ

wathiqan bi'annaka `ala bayyinatin min rabbika
You were always confident that you were proceeding on clear proof from your Lord,

وَبَصِيرَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِكَ

wa basiratin min amrika
you were acting with sure knowledge of what you do,

قَادِمٌ عَلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ

qadimun `ala allahi
you were on your way to Allah,

مُسْتَبْشِرٌ بِبَيْعِكَ ٱلَّذِي بَايَعْتَهُ بِهِ

mustabshirun bibay`ika alladhi baya`tahu bihi
and you were rejoicing in the bargain that you had made with Him;

وَذٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

wa dhalika huwa alfawzu al`azimu
and that is the supreme triumph.

اَللَّهُمَّ ٱلْعَنْ قَتَلَةَ أَنْبِيَائِكَ وَأَوْصِيَاءِ أَنْبِيَائِكَ

allahumma il`an qatalata anbiya'ika wa awsiya'i anbiya'ika
O Allah, curse the murderers of your Prophets and the murderers of Your Prophets’ successors

بِجَمِيعِ لَعَنَاتِكَ

bijami`i la`anatika
with the variant curses (that You have prepared for them),

وَأَصْلِهِمْ حَرَّ نَارِكَ

wa aslihim harra narika
and make those slayers to taste the heat of Your fire.

وَٱلْعَنْ مَنْ غَصَبَ وَلِيَّكَ حَقَّهُ

wal`an man ghasaba waliyyaka haqqahu
And also curse those who usurped the right of Your friend,

وَأَنْكَرَ عَهْدَهُ

wa ankara `ahdahu
those who denied their allegiance to him,

وَجَحَدَهُ بَعْدَ ٱلْيَقِينِ وَٱلإِقْرَارِ بِٱلْوِلاَيَةِ لَهُ

wa jahadahu ba`da alyaqini wal-iqrari bilwilayati lahu
and those who rejected him after they had witnessed and declared their loyalty to him

يَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ

yawma akmalta lahu alddina
on the day when you completed your religion through him.

اَللَّهُمَّ ٱلْعَنْ قَتَلَةَ أَمِيرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

allahumma il`an qatalata amiri almu'minina
O Allah, curse those who slew the Commander of the Faithful,

وَمَنْ ظَلَمَهُ وَأَشْيَاعَهُمْ وَأَنْصَارَهُمْ

wa man zalamahu wa ashya`ahum wa ansarahum
curse those who wronged him, and curse their adherents and supporters.

اَللَّهُمَّ ٱلْعَنْ ظَالِمِي ٱلْحُسَيْنِ وَقَاتِلِيهِ

allahumma il`an zalimi alhusayni wa qatilihi
O Allah, curse those who wronged and slew al-Husayn,

وَٱلْمُتَابِعِينَ عَدُوَّهُ وَنَاصِرِيهِ

walmutabi`ina `aduwwahu wa nasirihi
and curse those who adhered to his enemies and those who supported them,

وَٱلرَّاضِينَ بِقَتْلِهِ وَخَاذِلِيهِ لَعْناً وَبِيلاً

walrradina biqatlihi wa khadhilihi la`nan wabilan
and curse those who were pleased by the murder of killing al-Husayn and those who disappointed him, with violent cursing.

اَللَّهُمَّ ٱلْعَنْ أَوَّلَ ظَالِمٍ ظَلَمَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ

allahumma il`an awwala zalimin zalama ala muhammadin
O Allah, curse the first one to invent the wronging against the Household of Muhammad

وَمَانِعِيهِمْ حُقُوقَهُمْ

wa mani`ihim huquqahum
and curse those who deprived them of their rights.

اَللَّهُمَّ خُصَّ أَوَّلَ ظَالِمٍ وَغَاصِبٍ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ بِٱللَّعْنِ

allahumma khussa awwala zalimin wa ghasibin li'ali muhammadin billa`ni
O Allah, pour violent curses upon the first one who wronged and usurped the rights of the Household of Muhammad,

وَكُلَّ مُسْتَنٍّ بِمَا سَنَّ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَامَةِ

wa kulla mustannin bima sanna ila yawmi alqiyamati
and curse all those who followed those wrongdoers up to the Resurrection Day.

اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ ٱلنَّبِيِّينَ

allahumma salli `ala muhammadin khatami alnnabiyyina
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets,

وَعَلَىٰ عَلِيٍّ سَيِّدِ ٱلْوَصِيِّينَ وَآلِهِ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ

wa `ala `aliyyin sayyidi alwasiyyina wa alihi alttahirina
and upon `Ali, the chief of the Prophets’ successors, and upon his immaculate Household,

وَٱجْعَلْنَا بِهِمْ مُتَمَسِّكِينَ

waj`alna bihim mutamassikina
(please do) make us adhere to them firmly,

وَبِوِلاَيَتِهِمْ مِنَ ٱلْفَائِزِينَ ٱلآمِنِينَ

wa biwilayatihim min alfa'izina al-aminina
and include us with those who shall be winners and secured because they abode by their leadership;

ٱلَّذِينَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

alladhina la khawfun `alayhim wa la hum yahzanuna
those upon whom there shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.