Imam Ali's Last Will and Testament
Imam Ali's (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan
(AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) following a fatal blow on his head during morning prayers by
Ibn Muljim (A Kharijite):
My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do
not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have
missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and
support the oppressed.
I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to
be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard
your grandfather, (peace be upon him), say: "Reconciliation of your differences is
more worthy than all prayers and all fasting."
Fear Allah in matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget
their interests in the middle of yours.
Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbors. Your Prophet often recommended them to
you, so much so that we thought he would give them a share in inheritance.
Remain attached to the Quran. Nobody should surpass you in being intent on it, or more
sincere in implementing it.
Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.
Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. If you should
do that you would abandon your dignity.
Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.
Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and
enmity. Do not desist from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. Should
you do that, the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah
without response.
O Children of Abdul Muttalib! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner: The Imam
has been assassinated! Only the assassin should be condemned to death.
If I die of this stroke of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I
have heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: "Mutilate not even a rabid dog."
Source: Nahjul Balagha |