The fifteenth sermon of Nahjul Balagha
The fifteenth sermon of Nahjul Balagha The summary of the sermon:
. complaining of laxity and weakness of some of the companions in the way of fighting to support the Right and not showing enough bravery when necessary
. criticizing the fear and lack of readiness of some fellows and their abdication from Jihad (fighting in the way of God) and abstaining the difficulty in front of enemies of Islam
. insisting on the necessity of firmness and bravery in defending the Right and confronting with oppression
. insisting on the resistance against enemies of Islam and quitting the laxity and fear
The time of performing the sermon:
At Imam Ali (AS)’s caliphate age; during one the wars
The audiences of the sermon:
Imam Ali (AS)’s fellows and armies
The purpose of the sermon:
The main reason of performing the 15th sermon, was to complain about the weakness and laxity in Imam Ali (AS)’s fellows opposing the enemies. Imam Ali (AS) had these goals of performing this sermon:
1.reproofing and complaining about the weak determined fellows: he wanted to complain about the companions who at the difficult condition and the time of needing the support and firmness in Jihad (fight in the way of God), were showing laxity and fear. He seriously complained about his fellows, who refused to accompany him when bravery and fight were necessary.
2.encouraging to bravery and steadfastness: Imam Ali (AS) encouraged the fellows to bravery and firmness against the enemies and reminded this point that without firmness and resistance, the Right will not become victorious and the enemies of Islam will dominate them.
3.warning about the aftereffects of laxity and fear: Imam Ali (AS) warned his fellows that the laxity and evacuation against enemies, causes the strengthening of the void and defeating of the Right. He insisted that only by firmness the spread of oppression and injustice can be prevented.
4.inviting to return to the way of the Right: this sermon also, was performed as an invitation to return to the way of the Right and resuming the Jihad in the way of God. Imam Ali (AS) tried to make his fellows aware of their duties to defend Islam and justice and require them to stop the fear and laxity.
This sermon was performed in a condition that the Islamic society was encountering huge inner and outer challenges and Imam Ali (AS) needed the companionship and bravery of his army.
The chosen sentences:
. you are the men who at the time of acting the fighting and in battlefield, run away from each other; as if you have accepted the void and abandoned the Right.
. why you get such weak and undetermined? Does the fear of death, prevented you from Jihad (fight in the way of God)?
. be brave and step firmly in the way of the Right; if you are not firm in this way, your enemies will dominate you.
. do stand up and help the Right with your swords; with laxity and evacuation you just reinforce the void.
