Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell By A.S. Hashim. MD To go to next SLIDE: Click Page-up or Page-down Or Right Click then choose Full screen

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell Supplication بـســـم الله الرحمن الرحيم In the Name of God, Lord of Mercy and Lord of Grace

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell Nahjul Balaaghah Nahjul Balaaghah, a highly valued book, consists of: – 254 sermons, – 48 letters, and – 212 sayings of Imam Ali Nahjul Balaaghah is unique to Imam Ali None of the Sahaaba was ever able to produce anything like it: 1. neither in substance 2. nor in literary eloquence. No wonder Ali was referred to as: 1. Sayyid al-Bulaghaa' (Pinnacle of Literary Expression) and 2. Sayyid al-Fu'qahaa, (Pinnacle of the Jurisprudents)

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell References about Hell Nahjul Balaaghah contains 12 references about Hell, some of which appear here The quotes appear in various sermons, –said at variable occasions and –about different subjects. 1. The Arabic quotes are from the book of Nahjul Balaaghah, by Dr. Subhi Al-Salih, and so is the numbering of the sermons and pages, 1st Edition, Beirut The Number of the sermons may differ by a factor of 1 in other volumes of Nahjul Balaaghah 3. The references are quotes by Abd al-Zahra' al-Husayni in vols. I & IV of his work (see Al-Islam.org, internet)

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell Time Element The majority of Ali's sayings and speeches were stated: –During his Khilaafah when in Kufa, –At Different Places –At Different Occasions –Often at Khutba of Jumu’ah

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 28, Page 71 Ali: about Hellfire #1 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Al-Mufid, al-'Irshad,* 138; 2. al-Jahiz, al-Bayan, I, 171; 3. al-Baqillani, I`jaz, 222; 4. al-Harrani, Tuhaf, 35; 5. Ibn `Abd Rabbih, al-`Iqd, II, 365; 6. Ibn Qutaybah, `Uyun, II, 235; 7. al-Mas`udi, Muruj, II, 413; 8. al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat, II, 633.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 28, Ali: about Hellfire #1 Beware, for you are in days of goodly anticipation, but eventually followed by death, ─ So, him with the good works in these days, his good deeds would make him gain, and his death won’t harm him. But he who is short of good works, his deeds are in a loss and his death would surely harm him. Beware and conduct yourselves during the period of hope just as you would during the period of fright. I have not seen him who covets Paradise assured asleep nor the one daunted from Hellfire to be at rest asleep. Beware, he whom the Right does not benefit, the Wrong will suffer him harm, and he whom guidance does not make him gain, misguidance will lead him to the troublesome and bad….. أَلاَ وَإِنَّكُمْ في أَيَّامِ أَمَل مِنْ وَرَائِهِ أَجَلٌ، فَمَنْ عَمِلَ في أَيَّامِ أَمَلهِ قَبْلَ حُضُورِ أَجَلِهِ فَقَدْ نَفَعَهُ عَمَلُهُ، وَلَمْ يَضرُرْهُ أَجَلُهُ; وَمَنْ قَصَّرَ في أَيَّامِ أَمَلِهِ قَبْلَ حُضُورِ أَجَلِهِ، فَقَدْ خَسِرَ عَمَلَهُ، وَضَرَّهُ أَجَلُهُ، أَلاَ فَاعْمَلُوا فِي الرَّغْبَةِ كَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ فِي الرَّهْبَةِ، أَلاَوَإِنِّي لَمْ أَرَ كَالجَنَّةِ نَامَ طَالِبُهَا، وَلاَ كَالنَّارِ نَامَ هَارِبُهَا، أَلاَ وَإنَّهُ مَنْ لاَيَنْفَعُهُ الحقُّ يَضْرُرهُ البَاطِلُ، وَمَنْ لا يستقم بِهِ الهُدَى يَجُرُّ بِهِ الضَّلاَلُ إِلَى الرَّدَىْ، أَلاَ وَإِنَّكُمْ قَد أُمِرْتُمْ بِالظَّعْنِ، وَدُلِلْتُمْ عَلى الزَّادَ.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 83, Page 112 Ali: about Hellfire #2 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Al-Harrani, Tuhaf, 146; 2. al-Quda`i, Dustur, 59, 3. al-'Amidi, Ghurar; 4. al-Wasiti, `Uyun al-hikam; 5. Abu Nu`aym, Hilyah, I, 77; 6. Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, I, 132 (b.d.d), II, 287 (`a.a.z).

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 83, Ali: about Hellfire #2 He strides the best ways to the coveted target, and follows the shortest route to secure his purpose, conceit does not twist his thinking, nor the ambiguous blinds his vision. Thus, he is: Ecstatic with the good tidings, comfy with its gift, sleeping with peace of mind, passing his days happily: ─ He passes the pathway of this world in praiseworthy manner, reaches the next world by virtues, hastens towards virtue out of fear for vice, and he moves briskly during this short life. He seeks eternal good by avoiding evil, today he is mindful of tomorrow, keeping the future in view. Suffice it Paradise is the reward and Hellfire to torment and punish. Allah is the best Avenger and Helper and the Quran is the best argument and confronter. وَسَلَكَ أَقْصَدَ المَسَالِكَ إِلَى النَّهْجِ الْمَطْلُوبِ; وَلَمْ تَفْتِلْهُ فَاتِلاَتُ الْغُرُورِ، وَلَمْ تَعْمَ عَلَيْهِ مُشْتَبِهَاتُ الاُْمُورِ، ظَافِراً بِفَرْحَةِ الْبُشْرَى، وَرَاحَةِ النُّعْمَى، في أَنْعَمِ نَوْمِهِ، وَآمَنِ يَوْمِهِ. قَدْ عَبَرَ مَعْبَرَ الْعَاجِلَةِ حَمِيداً، وَقَدَّمَ زَادَ الاْجِلَةِ سَعِيداً، وَبَادَرَ مِنْ وَجَل، وَأَكْمَشَ فِي مَهَل، وَرَغِبَ فِي طَلَب، وَذَهَبَ عَنْ هَرَب، وَرَاقَبَ فِي يَوْمِهِ غَدَهُ، وَنَظَرَ قُدُماً أَمَامَهُ. فَكَفَى بِالْجَنَّةِ ثَوَاباً وَنَوَالاً، وَكَفى بَالنَّارِ عِقَاباً وَوَبَالاً! وَكَفَى بِاللهِ مُنْتَقِماً وَنَصِيراً! وَكَفَى بِالكِتَابِ حَجيجاً وَخَصِيماً

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 109, Page 162 Ali: about Hellfire #3 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Ibn `Abd Rabbih, al-`Iqd, IV, 76; 2. al-Zamakhshari, Rabi`, bab al-mala'ikah; 3. al-'Amidi, Ghurar

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 109, Ali: about Hellfire #3 As for people of sins: Allah settles them in the worst abode, their hands tied to their necks, their forelocks bound to the feet, clothing them in shirts out of flames: ─ To be in punishment whose heat is severe, its doors closed on its inmates, in fire with hollering and screams in high flames and zealous blast. Its inmates escape not, its ransom or shackles cannot be undone. There is no fixed age for this abode so as to perish, nor a span for its life that may be fulfilled. وَأَمَّا أَهْلُ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَأَنْزَلَهُمْ شَرَّ دَار، وَغَلَّ الاَْيْدِيَ إِلَى الاَْعْنَاقِ، وَقَرَنَ النَّوَاصِيَ بِالاَْقْدَامِ، وَأَلْبَسَهُمْ سَرَابِيلَ الْقَطِرَانِ، وَمُقَطَّعَاتِ النِّيرَانِ، فِي عَذَاب قَدِ اشْتَدَّ حَرُّهُ، وَبَاب قَدْ أُطْبِقَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ، فِي نَار لَهَا كَلَبٌ وَلَجَبٌ، وَلَهَبٌ سَاطِعٌ، وَقَصِيفٌ هَائِلٌ، لاَ يَظْعَنُ مُقِيمُهَا، وَلاَ يُفَادَى أَسِيرُهَا، وَلاَ تُفْصَمُ كُبُولُهَا. لاَ مُدَّةَ لِلدَّارِ فَتَفْنَى، وَلاَ أَجَلَ لِلْقَوْمِ فَيُقْضَى

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 120, Page 176 Ali: about Hellfire #4 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Kitab Sulaym ibn Qays. 142; 2. al-'Amidi, Ghurar, 81, 82, 83

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 120, Ali: about Hellfire #4 Do the good deeds for the day in which provisions are stored, and the intentions would be tested. If a person's mind does not help him, the minds of others maybe more unhelpful, more so of those far away from him. Heed Hellfire whose flame is wicked, whose underside is an abyss, whose ornament is iron incinerating, and whose drink is as if of pus. Beware! A man’s good name retained by Allah among the people, is superior to wealth left to be inherited by those who won’t even praise him. اعْمَلُوا لِيَوْم تُذْخَرُ لَهُ الذَّخَائِرُ، وَتُبْلَى فِيهِ السَّرَائِرُ، وَمَنْ لاَ يَنْفَعُهُ حَاضِرُ لُبِّهِ فَعَازِبُهُ عَنْهُ أَعْجَزُ، وَغَائِبُهُ أَعْوَزُ. وَاتَّقُوا نَاراً حَرُّهَا شَدِيدٌ، وَقَعْرُهَا بَعِيدٌ، وَحِلْيَتُهَا حَدِيدٌ، وَشَرَابُهَا صَدِيدٌ أَلاَ وَإِنَّ اللِّسَانَ الصَّالِحَ يَجْعَلُهُ اللهُ لِلْمَرْءِ فِي النَّاسِ، خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنَ الْمَالِ يُورِثُهُ مَنْ لاَ يَحْمَدُهُ.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 176, Page 251 Ali: about Hellfire #5 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Al-Zamakhshari, Rabi`, I, 219; 2. al-Kulayni, Usul al-Kafi, II, 443; 3. al-Barqi, al-Mahasin, 6; 4. al-Saduq, al-'Amali, 153; 5. al-`Ayyashi, Tafsir, II, 262; 6. al-Harrani, Tuhaf, 71.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 176, Ali: about Hellfire #5 The Prophet of Allah used to say: “Lo! Paradise is surrounded by the unpleasant things while Hell is surrounded by desires and passions." Be aware then that every obedience to Allah is irksome, (unpleasant in appearance) while every disobedience to Allah has the appearance of joy and enjoyment. May Allah have mercy on the person who keeps aloof from his passions and desires and uproots the cravings of his heart, Because this heart has far-reaching aims, and it goes on pursuit for disobedience by way of its desires and passions. فَإنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ (صلى الله عليه وآله) كَانَ يَقُولُ: «إنَّ الْجَنَّةَ حُفَّتْ بِالْمَكَارِهِ، وَإنَّ النَّارَ حُفَّتْ بِالشَّهَوَاتِ». وَاعْلَمُوا أنَّهُ مَا مِنْ طَاعَةِ اللهِ شَيْءٌ إلاَّ يَأْتي فِي كُرْه، وَمَا مِنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللهِ شَيءٌ إلاَّ يَأْتِي فِي شَهْوَة. فَرَحِمَ اللهُ رَجُلاً نَزَعَ عَنْ شَهْوَتِهِ، وَقَمَعَ هَوَى نَفْسِهِ، فَإنَّ هذِهِ النَّفْسَ أَبْعَدُ شَيْء مَنْزِعاً، وَإنَّهَا لاَ تَزَالُ تَنْزِعُ إِلَى مَعْصِيَة فِي هَوىً.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 183, Page 267 Ali: about Hellfire #6 See next slide please Other sources: 1. Al-Zamakhshari, Rabi`, I, 53; 2. Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, V, 299; 3. al-Bahrani, Tafsir al-burhan, I, 9, from a source other than Nahj.

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell In Sermon 183, Ali: about Hellfire #6 Know that this thin skin cannot tolerate the Fire (of Hell). So, have pity on yourselves since you have already tried it in the days of the world. ─ Have you seen a pricked person crying because of a thorn, or a stumbling one who bleeds, or one whom hot sand has burned? How would he feel when this person is between two frying pans of Hell, lying on stone, with Satan as his companion? Do you know if when Malik, the guard in charge of Hell, is angry with the fire, its parts begin to clash in rage with each other, and, when he scolds it, it leaps in fright between its doors. O' you old and big, whom old age made him hoary, how do you feel when rings of fire touch the bones of your neck, and handcuffs clutch you so as to eat away the very flesh of your forearms? وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ لِهذَا الْجِلْدِ الرَّقِيقِ صَبْرٌ عَلَى النَّارِ، فَارْحَمُوا نُفُوسَكُمْ، فَإِنّكُمْ قَدْ جَرَّبْتُمُوهَا فِي مَصَائِبِ الدُّنْيَا. أَ فَرَأَيْتُمْ جَزَعَ أَحَدِكُمْ مِنَ الشَّوْكَةِ تُصِيبُهُ، وَالْعَثْرَةِ تُدْمِيهِ، وَالرَّمْضَاءِ تُحْرِقُهُ؟ فَكَيْفَ إِذَا كَانَ بَيْنَ طَابَقَيْنِ مِنْ نَار، ضَجِيعَ حَجَر، وَقَرِينَ شَيْطَان؟! أَعَلِمْتُمْ أَنَّ مَالِكاً إِذَا غَضِبَ عَلَى النَّارِ حَطَمَ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضَاً لِغَضَبِهِ، وَإِذَا زَجَرَهَا تَوَثَّبَتْ بَيْنَ أَبوَابِهَا جَزَعاً مِنْ زَجْرَتِهِ؟! أَيُّهَا الْيَفَنُ الْكَبِيرُ، الَّذِي قَدْ لَهَزَهُ الْقَتَيرُ، كَيْفَ أَنْتَ إِذَا الْتَحَمَتْ أَطْوَاقُ النَّارِ بِعِظَامِ الاَْعْنَاقِ، وَنَشِبَتِ الجَوَامِعُ حَتَّى أَكَلَتْ لُحُومَ السَّوَاعِدِ؟

Nahjul Balaaghah about Hell Be in Allah’s Care Thank you and May God Bless you. Dr. A.S. Hashim