The Twenty Third Sermon of Nahjul Balagha

Summary of the Twenty Third Sermon of Nahjul Balagha

. introduction and describing the human beings: Imam Ali (AS) at the beginning of the sermon, pointed out to the characteristics of different human beings, reviewed their manners and divided them into two groups: the ones who move on the truth path and the ones who are on the corruption and deviation path.

 

 

. blaming the ones who are on the corruption and deviation path: Imam Ali (AS) criticized the ones who take step in the corruption, oppression and rebellion path. He pointed out to the risks which they bring for the society and invited them to the right way.

 

 

. analyzing the condition of the transient world: Imam Ali (AS) introduced this world as a transient and temporary place and insisted that anything in this world, ultimately, will be destroyed. He warned people about the deceits of this world and getting attached to wealth and status and pointed out to the stable truths which can be found in the other world.

 

 

. inviting to pious and abstaining from worldly manners: Imam Ali (AS) invited people to (have) piety and avoid the short-lived pleasures of this world and stated “these pleasures deceives human beings and distances   them from the truth.” And insisted on this point that the only way of saving people, is to follow the truth and pious and they should be steadfast in this path.

 

 

. remembering the death and the other world: Imam Ali (AS) reminded that the death is always near and no one can escape from it. He mentioned that, people should think about the other world and make themselves prepared for it; since only the right deeds and pious can save a person at that day.

 

 

The time of performing the sermon:

In first years of Caliphate between the years 37 and 40 A.H.

 

 

The audiences of the sermon:

The publicity of Muslims; specially the ones who were involved in the love of the world and corruption.

 

 

The purpose of the sermon:

His aim of performing this sermon, was to make people aware of the deceives which this world can have for human beings. He by criticizing the ones who move on the corruption and oppression way, tried to lead people toward pious, truthfulness and avoiding the deceives of this world. This sermon also remembered the death and the other world in order to people think about their other world and good deeds and quit attachment to this world.

 

 

The chosen sentences:

. this world will never be loyal; what is in it, will be lost.

. O people! Do not get attached to the deceives of this world; since this world is always changing and ultimately will get separated from you.

 

. what you achieve in this world, are all transient; except the good deeds which will remain in the other world for you.

 

 

. always remember the death; as no one can escape from it. So so think about your other world.