Sermon 8: He claims that he swore allegiance ...
Said about az-Zubayr at a time for which it was appropriate
He claims that he swore allegiance to me with his hand but did not swear with his heart.1 So he does admit allegiance. As regards his claiming it otherwise than with his heart he should come forward with a clear argument for it. Otherwise, he should return to wherefrom he has gone out.2
Sermon 9: They thundered ...
Cowardice of the people of Jamal
They1 thundered like clouds and shone like lightning but despite both these things they exhibited cowardice, while we do not thunder until we pounce upon the foe nor do we show flow (of words) until we have not virtually rained.
Sermon 10: Satan has collected his group...
Regarding the incitement of Satan: alluding to a particular group of people (about Talhah and az-Zubayr)
Beware! Satan1 has collected his group and assembled his horse-men and foot-soldiers. Surely, with me is my sagacity. I have neither deceived myself nor ever been deceived. By Allah I shall fill to the brim for them a cistern from which I alone would draw water. They can neither turn away from it nor return to it.
Sermon 11: Mountains may move from their position, but you should not...
Delivered in the Battle of Jamal when Amir al-mu’minin gave thestandard to his son Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyah1 may move from their position, but you should not move from yours. Grit your teeth. Lend to Allah your head (in fighting for Allah, give yourself to Allah). Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Have your eye on the remotest foe and close your eyes (to their numerical majority). And keep sure that succour is but from Allah, the Glorified.
Sermon 12: Does your brother love us? ...
When1 Allah gave him (Amir al-mu’minin) victory over the enemy at the Battle of Jamal one of his comrades said on that occasion, “I wish my brother so-and-so had been present and he too would have seen what success and victory Allah had given you,” whereupon Amir al-mu’minin said:
“Did your brother hold me friend?”
He said: “Yes,”
Then Amir al-mu’minin said:
In that case he was with us. Rather in this army of ours even those persons were also present who are still in the loins of men and wombs of women. Shortly, time will bring them out and faith will get strength through them.
Sermon 13: You are a woman's army ...
Condemning the people of Basrah [after the battle of Jamal]1
Sermon 14: Your land is close to the sea ...
This also is in condemnation of the people of Basrah
Your land is close to the sea and away from the sky. Your wits have become light and your minds are full of folly. You are the aim of the archer, a morsel for the eater and an easy prey for the hunter.
Sermon 15: By God, even if I had found that ...
After returning to the Muslims the land grants made by `Uthman ibn `Affan, he said:
By Allah, even if I had found that by such money women have been married or slave-maids have been purchased I would have returned it (to its owners) because there is wide scope in dispensation of justice, and he who finds it hard to act justly will find it harder to deal with injustice.
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