The fifth sermon of Nahj al-Balagha

The summary of the sermon:

. pointing out to future seditions and disturbances

. the necessity of alertness and preparation against social problems

. blaming the people who cause sedition and corruption in society

. insisting on the dangers of following corrupted people

. inviting people to (have) piety and avoiding aberration

.  (having) piety is the way of rescue in seditions

. criticizing the default of some of notable people against corruption

. the significance of bravery and well-timed action to maintain the values

. insisting on the importance of the leaders in guiding the society toward justice

. warning the leaders about their heavy duties

 

The time of performing the sermon:

At the age of Imam Ali (AS)’s caliphate; between the years 35 to 40 A.H.

 

The audiences of the sermon:

People of Kufa

 

The purpose of the sermon:

1.warning about seditions and disturbances:

The Islamic society after Othman being killed and the beginning of Imam Ali (AS)’s caliphate was caught in many chaoses. Imam Ali (AS) with regarding this condition, makes people aware about the seditions which will happen and warns them that they should be alert and prepared.

 

2.blaming the seditious and rioter persons: Imam Ali (AS) severely blames the persons who cause sedition and corruption in society and knows them as the reason of perversion and disturbance. These seditious people were of powerful persons who tried to misuse the critical condition for their persona goals.

3.inviting to (have) piety and continence: Imam (AS) invites people to (have) piety and continence and insists on this point that the only way of rescue in social seditions and corruptions, is (having) piety and faith to God.

 

4.criticizing the silence and default of Great persons: Imam (AS) also, criticizes the people who kept silence or did nothing against corruptions and seditions and invites them to accountability and dealing with these problems.

 

5.insisting on the role of leaders and justice: Imam (AS) in this sermon, warns the leaders of the society that: leadership is a divine trustee and they should take care of it by justice and (having) piety. He insists on the role of leaders in guiding the society toward the prudence and justice.

 

Generally, the sermon 5 was performed to awaken people against future seditions and to warn seditious people and invite to (have) piety and unity in order to save society from falling into the trap of seditions and exigent.

 

The chosen sentences:

. be aware! Seditions will catch you like dark and obscure nights.

. the ones arise seditions, who their purpose is perversion and corruption.

. equip yourself with (having) piety; which is the only way of rescue in seditions.

. you claim greatness; so why you keep silence against corruption and perversion?

. the leadership of society is a trustee which should be maintained by justice and (having) piety.