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The Unmatched Eloquence of Imam Ali (A.S.)
Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
We are on the threshold of a very auspicious day, a day that gave to the world the manifestation of divine authority. Yes, we are speaking of the blessed 13th of Rajab, the day God decreed that Imam Ali (AS), the vicegerent of the Last and Greatest Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), be born in the holiest of the holies, that is, the sacred Ka’ba in Mecca. Since today happens to be Thursday, the eve of Friday, let us present you some passages from the famous Du’a Kumayl, a unique supplication taught by Imam Ali (AS) to his loyal companion, Kumayl Nakha’ie, that is considered one of the finest descriptions of the Majesty of the One and Only Creator, and how to petition in the Divine Court for forgiveness of sins and shortcomings.
Among the epithets of Imam Ali (AS) is “Imam al-Muttaqeen,” which means the Leader of the Pious. This indicates that the cousin, son-in-law and vicegerent of the Prophet, was Piety Personified, to such an extent that all his words and deeds were manifestation of God-given authority. He strove to enlighten the people of his times at a time when the world was engulfed in darkness, and in doing so, he bequeathed to posterity the finest bezels of wisdom, practical adherence to which, ensures prosperity in its real sense in life, and salvation in afterlife. One of these wonders is the famous supplication called Du`a Kumayl which is recited regularly by the faithful to this day, and has been said earlier, is an eloquent description of the Majesty and Mercy of God. It has been translated into almost all major world languages and the following paragraphs, which are a random selection, should be enough for inspiring readers with faith.
"My Liege, my God, my Master, it is not in me to believe that Thou wilt impose the Fire on the faces of those that have bowed in adoration of Thy Greatness; Or the tongues that have testified to Thy (indivisible) Unity and thanked thee with praise; Or the hearts that have acknowledged Thy Divinity with conviction; Or the minds that are so saturated with Thy knowledge as to humble themselves in Thy Presence; Or on the limbs that have striven towards Thy service and obedience, endeavoring confidently to seek Thy forgiveness. This can never be expected from Thee, nor dost Thy Grace permit such an assumption, O Generous One.
"O Lord! Thou knowest that I am too weak to withstand, even a small portion of this world's trial, or their consequences, or the sorrow that befalleth its inhabitants, though these trials are transient, evanescent and short-lived. How then will I withstand the trial of the Hereafter, with its tremendous sufferings and its prolonged, perpetual misery, which shall never be alleviated for its inmates?...
"O Thou Whose name is a panacea, Whose remembrance is a sure remedy, and Whose obedience is a source of independence! Have mercy on one whose capital asset is hope and whose instrument is lamentation. O Thou that givest happiness and blessings and wardest off misfortunes..."
This supplication, as well as all expressions of Imam Ali (AS) are regarded as the finest specimens of eloquence and wisdom in Arabic language, above the words of any human being and next only to the Revealed Word of God, that is, the holy Qur’an. As a matter of fact, the Imam trained several companions in the various branches of knowledge including jurisprudence, Qur'anic sciences, syntax and grammar. He was a fluent orator, and the collection of his eloquent sermons, letters and maxims in the book titled Nahj ul-Balagha or Highroad of Eloquence, stands as a firm testimony of his God-given wisdom. Imam Ali (AS) had profound knowledge of the revelation of the whole Qur’an to his cousin, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), who used to explain each and everything to the Imam in detail regarding Divine Revelation. After the passing away of the Prophet, Imam Ali (AS) compiled the Qur’an between two covers (Mus-haf) in the order of revelation from the beginning to the end, but the political regime in Medina that had usurped power and denied his rights, turned down this most perfect ever copy of the heavenly scripture. No wonder Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) had remarked: "Ali is from me and I am from Ali."
On the eve of the birthday of the Commander of the Faithful, we now present you an interesting piece of poetry by Iran’s English language poet, Dr. Hassan Najafi:
As though today, although far ago born
Swords go blunt, Zulfiqar is born.
In the Ka’ba, a Ka’ba is born
No more barren, fecundity born.
All Prophets stand in a row
Who this infant; in respect they bow.
While we trace your birth we bask in your glow
Tears of joy our eyes overflow.
The heaven, mysterious in its works, decreed
The perfect boast of time to the Prophet must succeed.
To the majesty of the Ka’ba no elements adorn
Greater than Ali who therein was born,
O you; whose spirit divinely blest
The sacred crown of the Prophet’s crest,
In glittering arms and glory drest,
High we see you as a ruby crest.
Where your glowing eyeballs turn
Banners upon banners round you burn.
To remember you if one is blest
His worn soul, wandering hope is at rest.
Still prevails your voice over time
Redresses the rigours of the element clime,
Unmoved by Saqifa your strong rectitude
And your towering mind patiently stood.
How difficult to speak about Ali
Can an ocean be depleted into a cup of tea!
The Prophet’s picture we see in your conduct’s frame
Closely consistent, closely equal – if not the same,
Undaunted by power, unmoved by year
You held the Prophet’s Mission dear.
Eternal sunshine at the Ka’ba overhead
Round it the rolling pilgrims seek Ali’s shade.
Your birth is a wonder alive in every age
You fill and in you is filled Qur’an page to page.
Your words and therein the hidden art
Charm every ear and soothe every heart.
In your every word persuasive wisdom flows
In your each deed refulgent divinity glows,
On the safety of the Prophet, fixed your steadfast eye
With temperate zeal, risk and self-sacrifice,
For our children, the epics of Ali are told
To instill faith, honour, and courage manifold.
Ali glorifies the Ka’ba
While his son, Husain, glorifies Karbala.
Here Hajj is performed
There Blood is charmed.
Let us see Ali in the words of the Prophet
There remains no reason to suspect.
- “To find Ali, find the Truth
Wherever be Ali, there is Truth”.
- “Ali is with Truth and Truth with Ali
Truth rotates with the movements of Ali.”
- “As Aaron was to Prophet Moses
Your presence to me the same poses”.
- “Nobody knows you but me and God
Nobody knows me but you and God.”
- “I and Ali are created of the same clay
Prior to clay, we belong to one ray;
As such we both in the same qualities sway
Planets beyond the earth to us obey.”
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