«FROM THE SAYINGS OF ALI [A.S.]»

Nahjul-Balagha - Sermon No. 91 - Statements of Ali (A.S.) about Mahdi (A.S.). It is a part of the Sermon which he delivered with regards to Bani-Ummayid and their mischief towards the people until he reached to the point where he said: 'Thereafter, Allah shall unpleasantly widen difficulties and other occurrences upon you and (only) when the skin is cut off and the flesh is peeled off, the calamities will be obviated.' Then he continued, Allah shall bring this freedom and salvation through a person whose behaviour with that tribe will be harsh and severe and he shall make them suffer and he will quench them with bitter cups,(of hardships) and not extend them anything but sword.(17)

Mutazali on exegetist, in the second volume of his book (Page 178), under the afore-mentioned Sermon says: 'This Sermon has been commemorated by a group of historians and it is common, recounted and reached the level of (Estefaze) (superabundance).

After the battle of Nahrawan Ali (A.S.) spoke in such words: No one except me had the courage to remain steadfast and withstand those seditions and turbulences. (Perhaps steadfastness at that time is refered to the Khawarij because, when the companions of Muawiya by the tricks of Amr-Aas fixed the Quran on top of spears and by this way wanted to save themselves from the blow of Hazrat's sword, the soldiers of Ali (A.S.) by witnessing such scene hesitated in obeying his commands and in fact opposed him stating: We should not dare draw our sword on these people. Or perhaps it refers to the battle against the people of Jamal where those participating in it were such personalities like Ayesha, Thalha and Zubair who were enjoying esteemed status and position in the eyes of the Muslims. For this reason they did not have the courage to fight them except Ali (A.S.) who fought and defeated them.)

Then Ibn-Abil Hadeed says: A statement which Razi has not mentioned is an address which he delivered about Bani-Ummayid, the contents of which are as follows:-

«Then surely Allah will liberate the people by the hands of a person from our chaste family. May my father be sacrificed for him, whose mother is the best amongst the ladies of Paradise.» Thereafter he confesses to this point that Ali (A.S.) in this statement is referring to Mahdi, the Awaited one.

Nahjul-Balagha - Sermon No. 148 - Amongst the statements which Hazrat has spoken about the news of the unseen is the following sentence:- (O' people, this is the time for the occurrence of every promised event and the approach of things which you do not know. Know that whoever from among us (Ahle Bait - the family of the Holy Prophet) in the future will continue in our way with a burning lamp and will tread on the footsteps of the virtuous, in order to unfasten knots, to free slaves and to unite the divided. He would be in concealment from the people such that a track-finder would not find his footprints even though he may pursue him.)

Mutazali in the second volume of his book on Page 436 under this Sermon says: 'Hazrat here is referring to Mahdi, the Awaited one and his concealment.'

Nahjul-Balagha - Sermon No. 180. Amongst the sermons which Ali (A.S.) pointed out to the people of Kufa is the following sermon:- However, before narrating the sermon it is good to mention that Nufil Bukali relates that Ali (A.S.) delivered this sermon standing on a stone which Joda-ibn-Hubaira Mukhzumi had erected for him. Ali (A.S.) had a woollen apparel on his body, the belt of his sword was made of leaves and the sandals on his feet too were of palm leaves. His forehead had a hardened spot like the knees of a camel. He spoke as such:-

'He would be wearing the armour of wisdom, which he would have secured with all its conditions, such as full attention towards it, its (complete knowledge-and exclusive devotion to it. For him it is like a thing which he had lost and which he was now seeking, or his need which he was trying to meet. If Islam is in trouble he would feel forlorn like a traveller and like a (tired)camel beating the end of its tail and flattening its neck on the ground. He is the last of Allah's pleas and one of the vicegerents of His Prophets.'

Ibn-Abil Hadeed who has written a commentary on Nahjul-Balagha writes on Page 535 of his second volume as such:

«Each group has interpreted these sayings according to their own expedient beliefs and the twelve Imamiah Shi'ites reckon that the person who has been referred in Hazrat's speech is none other than Mahdi.»

Thereafter he writes: 'As I see it, it does not appear difficult to believe that reference over here has been made to 'AL -Q'AEM' from the progeny of Muhammad (S.A.W.A.).

The author of «Yanabi-ul-Muwadda» on page 46 narrates from the book 'Durrul-Munazzam' as such: 'Amongst the sayings of Amir-ul-Mumineen (A.S.)about Mahdi and/or Qa'em from the progeny of Muhammad is the following sermon:

«The standard-bearer of Muhammadi and the ruler of Government of Ahmadi shall be manifested. He is someone who will revolt with his sword, straighten the crooked, conquer the earth and revive the forsaken aspects of religious obligations and Sunnah».

The author of «Yanabi-ul-Muwadda» on Page 467 writes: Some of the men of intuition and vision have narrated from Amir-ul-Mumineen as having said: «Soon God shall bring forth a group whom He Loves and they too are His lovers and the one who is like a stranger amongst them shall take over the Government. Verily, he shall be the 'MAHDI'; his face rosy and hair golden in colour. He will fill the earth with justice without any difficulty. In his very childhood, he shall get separated from his mother and father and from the view-point of training he shall be rare and matchless. He shall rule over the Muslim countries with utmost calm and security and time shall be favourable and friendly towards him. His words will be accepted; the young and old shall humbly obey him. He shall fill the earth with Justice just as it had been filled with oppression. Then, at that moment his Imamat shall reach its perfection and Viceregency will be established for him. Moreover, Allah will make the dead to rise from their graves and return them back to this world. Then, like people who get up from their morning sleep, they shall see nothing but their own houses. The land will flourish and by blessing of his (i.e. Mahdi's) existence, it shall become fresh and fruitful. Seditions and disturbances shall vanish and blessings and welfare will increase manifold.(18)