The Eleventh Sermon of Nahjul Balagha The summary of the sermon:
. Imam Ali (AS) described the traits of the warmongers and the ones who are in the battlefield
. insisting on the bravery, endurance and the spirit of real warriors against enemies
. Imam Ali (AS), in this part, encouraged the warriors and Muslims to be brave and stable against enemies
. insisting on (the point that) fear and doubt should not hinder the fight in the way of the Right
. Imam Ali (AS) pointed out that the Right will finally be victorious; even if the enemies are powerful
. assuring the Muslims that by being firm and trust in God, they will be victorious
The time of performing the sermon:
Probably, about the years 36 to 38 A.H.
The audiences of the sermon:
The army of Imam Ali (AS) and his warriors in the Seffin, Jamal and Nahrovan wars
The purpose of the sermon:
The primary reason of performing the 11th sermon, was to encourage and improve the spirit of Muslim warriors. Imam Ali (AS) performed this sermon to:
Encourage to bravery and firmness: by this sermon, he aimed to invite fighters to bravery and being firm against enemies and keep them away from fear and doubt in the battlefield.
Insist on the final victory of the Right: he assured his army that the Right will eventually be victorious; even if temporary it seems that enemies are superior. This point was vital for improving the faith and spirit of the fighters.
Reinforce the religious and ideological motivations: Imam Ali (AS) by remembering the importance of fighting for the sake of the Right and the divine justice, fortified the religious and ideological motivations of the warriors and encouraged them to resume the fight.
Warn the enemies: also, this sermon is a warning to the enemies of the Right and the ones who stand up against justice and truth; that they will eventually be destroyed by divine justice.
Imam Ali (AS), by this sermon, elevated the morale of his fighters and also, made the enemies aware of the terrible consequences of disobedience of the Right.
The chosen sentences:
. never fear the confrontation of enemies. fear of death, does not create the life; this is the braveness which turns the death into the victory.
. the Right is always victorious; even if in the eyes of this world, it seems defected.
. the ones who step in the battlefield, their hearts are more tempered than steel and their will is firm like mountain.
. the ones who are fighting with the Right, will soon collapse against the divine justice.
