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Nahjul-Balagha: Path of Eloquence - Volume One
"Yasin T. al-Jibouri, Translator of this book, has so far written, edited and translated 57 books and other publications, not counting this one. Details and some front cover images of these publications are included on pages 43 – 89 of his other book titled Mary and Jesus in Islam which AuthorHouse has already published (ISBN 9781468523201 or 9781468523218). He earned his graduate degree in English from an American university, taught English in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United States and is presently preparing Volume Two of his book titled Allah: The Concept of God in Islam, the first volume of which has already been published by Authorhouse (ISBN 9781468532722, 9781468532739 or 9781468532746). He is also working on Volume One of his other major work titled Dictionary of Islamic Terms.
This book is not an ordinary one at all. Actually, millions of intellectuals worldwide regard its eloquence, language and contents as being next in importance only to the Holy Qur'an, and you will find out why when you read it. It is the compilation of the sermons, letters and axioms of Ali ibn Abu Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet of Islam, who lived from 600 – 660 A.D. and played a major role in shaping the society and politics not only of his time but of all time to come.
There are many editions of this great book in at least two dozen languages, and Yasin T. al-Jibouri has for some time been editing one of them. This book is for people who wish to ""live"" the first Islamic century in all its upheavals, controversies, civil wars and religious fervor. It may serve as a guide for those who wish to discover the complexity, beauty and richness of the Arabic language. Or it may be sought by people who wish to lead a life of happiness and fulfillment, since it provides all of this and more, and you are free to judge for yourself."
This book is not an ordinary one at all. Actually, millions of intellectuals worldwide regard its eloquence, language and contents as being next in importance only to the Holy Qur'an, and you will find out why when you read it. It is the compilation of the sermons, letters and axioms of Ali ibn Abu Talib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet of Islam, who lived from 600 – 660 A.D. and played a major role in shaping the society and politics not only of his time but of all time to come.
There are many editions of this great book in at least two dozen languages, and Yasin T. al-Jibouri has for some time been editing one of them. This book is for people who wish to ""live"" the first Islamic century in all its upheavals, controversies, civil wars and religious fervor. It may serve as a guide for those who wish to discover the complexity, beauty and richness of the Arabic language. Or it may be sought by people who wish to lead a life of happiness and fulfillment, since it provides all of this and more, and you are free to judge for yourself."
574 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2013
About the author
Ali ibn Abi Talib
77 books285 followersAli ibn Abi Talib (Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب, romanized: ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib)
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Abi Talib al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was a member of his family, one of the People of the Cloak, one of his companions, one of the scribes of the revelation, the fourth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs according to Sunni Islam, and the first Imam and successor of the Prophet according to Shia Islam. He was the father of Imams al-Hasan and al-Husayn (peace be upon them) and the grandfather of nine other Shia Imams.
After the Prophet, no one in Islam equals Ali ibn Abi Talib in his virtues. Therefore, the Prophet bestowed upon him the title "Commander of the Faithful."
He was born in Mecca, inside the Kaaba, to Fatima bint Asad al-Hashimiyya. No one in history had ever been born inside the Kaaba before. When he and his mother left the Kaaba, its wall (at the Yemeni Corner) cracked. Every year, the Saudi rulers repair this crack, but it reappears. He embraced Islam before the Prophet's migration (Hijra), and he was the first man to believe in the Prophet (and, after Khadija, the second person to convert to Islam). He migrated to Medina three days after the Prophet's migration, and the Prophet Muhammad established brotherhood between him and himself when he formed brotherhood among the Muslims. He also gave him his daughter Fatima in marriage in the second year of the Hijra.
He participated in all of the Prophet's battles except for the Battle of Tabuk, where the Prophet Muhammad left him in charge of Medina. He was known for his horsemanship, courage, and skill in combat, and he played a significant role in the Muslims' victories in battles, most notably the Battle of the Trench and the Battle of Khaybar. He was a trusted confidant of the Prophet Muhammad, and he was one of the scribes of the revelation and one of his most important ambassadors and advisors.
After the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) completed the Farewell Pilgrimage, and in accordance with the verse of proclamation, he commanded the people to gather at Ghadir Khumm. He then delivered the Sermon of Ghadir, raising the hand of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and saying, “Whoever I am his master, then this Ali is his master. O God, befriend whoever befriends him and oppose whoever opposes him.” Some of the Companions, such as Umar ibn al-Khattab, congratulated Imam Ali (peace be upon him) on his appointment as Commander of the Faithful after this sermon, and bestowed upon him the title “Commander of the Faithful.” Shia commentators and some Sunnis believe that the verse of completion was revealed on this day. The Shia derive the meaning of the caliphate after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) from the phrase “Whoever I am his master, then Ali is his master,” which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) uttered on the Day of Ghadir. Based on this, the Shia believe that their identity and what distinguishes them from other sects is their belief in the divine appointment of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as the Prophet’s successor, in contrast to the Sunni view that the Prophet’s successor is chosen by the people.
During the reigns of the first three caliphs, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) generally remained aloof from political and governmental affairs, dedicating himself instead to providing scholarly and social services. These included compiling the Holy Quran, which became known as the Mushaf of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), advising the caliphs on various matters such as judicial matters, providing for the poor, purchasing and freeing a thousand slaves, cultivating and planting trees, digging canals, building mosques, and endowing properties and lands, the revenues of which may have reached four thousand dinars.
He was proclaimed caliph in 35 AH (
Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Abi Talib al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was a member of his family, one of the People of the Cloak, one of his companions, one of the scribes of the revelation, the fourth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs according to Sunni Islam, and the first Imam and successor of the Prophet according to Shia Islam. He was the father of Imams al-Hasan and al-Husayn (peace be upon them) and the grandfather of nine other Shia Imams.
After the Prophet, no one in Islam equals Ali ibn Abi Talib in his virtues. Therefore, the Prophet bestowed upon him the title "Commander of the Faithful."
He was born in Mecca, inside the Kaaba, to Fatima bint Asad al-Hashimiyya. No one in history had ever been born inside the Kaaba before. When he and his mother left the Kaaba, its wall (at the Yemeni Corner) cracked. Every year, the Saudi rulers repair this crack, but it reappears. He embraced Islam before the Prophet's migration (Hijra), and he was the first man to believe in the Prophet (and, after Khadija, the second person to convert to Islam). He migrated to Medina three days after the Prophet's migration, and the Prophet Muhammad established brotherhood between him and himself when he formed brotherhood among the Muslims. He also gave him his daughter Fatima in marriage in the second year of the Hijra.
He participated in all of the Prophet's battles except for the Battle of Tabuk, where the Prophet Muhammad left him in charge of Medina. He was known for his horsemanship, courage, and skill in combat, and he played a significant role in the Muslims' victories in battles, most notably the Battle of the Trench and the Battle of Khaybar. He was a trusted confidant of the Prophet Muhammad, and he was one of the scribes of the revelation and one of his most important ambassadors and advisors.
After the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) completed the Farewell Pilgrimage, and in accordance with the verse of proclamation, he commanded the people to gather at Ghadir Khumm. He then delivered the Sermon of Ghadir, raising the hand of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and saying, “Whoever I am his master, then this Ali is his master. O God, befriend whoever befriends him and oppose whoever opposes him.” Some of the Companions, such as Umar ibn al-Khattab, congratulated Imam Ali (peace be upon him) on his appointment as Commander of the Faithful after this sermon, and bestowed upon him the title “Commander of the Faithful.” Shia commentators and some Sunnis believe that the verse of completion was revealed on this day. The Shia derive the meaning of the caliphate after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) from the phrase “Whoever I am his master, then Ali is his master,” which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) uttered on the Day of Ghadir. Based on this, the Shia believe that their identity and what distinguishes them from other sects is their belief in the divine appointment of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as the Prophet’s successor, in contrast to the Sunni view that the Prophet’s successor is chosen by the people.
During the reigns of the first three caliphs, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) generally remained aloof from political and governmental affairs, dedicating himself instead to providing scholarly and social services. These included compiling the Holy Quran, which became known as the Mushaf of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), advising the caliphs on various matters such as judicial matters, providing for the poor, purchasing and freeing a thousand slaves, cultivating and planting trees, digging canals, building mosques, and endowing properties and lands, the revenues of which may have reached four thousand dinars.
He was proclaimed caliph in 35 AH (
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