Al-Muttaqin Sermon: Difference between revisions

The Muttaqin sermon (خطبة المتّقین) (sermon of the Pious) is one of the most famous sermons of Imam Ali (a) in which he describes a pious Muslim. The sermon characterizes the pious so well in their personal and social life that at the end of the sermon, Hammam, the Imam’s companion who had asked about the characteristics of the pious, loses consciousness and passes away. The sequence number of this sermon varies in different editions of Nahj al-Balagha.

Al-Mu’jam al-mufahras, Subhi Salih: 193

Minhaj al-bara’a (al-Khu’i), Mulla Salih: 192

It is related that Hammam who was a devoted worshiper and one of the companions of Imam Ali (a) asked him to describe the pious: “O, Amir al-Mu’minin, describe the pious for me as if I am looking at them.” Imam Ali (a) tried to void answering and said, “O Hammam, be wary of Allah and perform good deeds because “Indeed Allah is with those who are wary God and those who do good (to others).””

Hammam, was not content with that and insisted on more details. Then the Imam praised Allah and extolled Him and sought His blessings on the Prophet (s) and started the sermon.

It is narrated that after the sermon, Hammam lost conciseness and passed away. Amir al-Mu’minin (a) said, “Verily, by God I feared this for him.” Then he added: “Effective advice has such influence on its people (who have receptive ears).” Someone said, “O Amir al-Mu'minin, why did not it affect you?” Amir al-Mu'minin (a) replied, “Woe to you! There is a fixed hour for each death that it will not exceeded it, and a cause which does not change. Be silent and never repeat such talk, indeed Satan had put on your tongue.”

As the name of the sermon implies, the main subject of the sermon is description of the pious. Imam Ali (a) characterizes them in their personal and social life, and their worships and connection with Allah. Here are some of these attributes:  (Categories may have overlaps)

1- Speaking properly.

2- Moderation

3- Humility.

4- Avoiding the forbidden.

5- Listening to beneficial knowledge.

6- Greediness for knowledge.

7- Endurance of hardships.

8- Forgiving who did wrong to them.

9- Avoiding indecent speech.

10- Not misappropriating what they have been trusted with.

11- Suppressing the anger.

12- People are in ease from them.

13- Good deeds are expected from them.

1- Blaming themselves. (being suspicious about themselves)

2- Fear from being complemented.

3- Having faith with certainty.

4-  Forbearance.

5- Hoping the next life and renouncing this world.

1- Night prayers with recitation of the Qur’an.

2- Seeking cure for themselves in the Qur’an.

3- Their heart are influenced by the Qur’an.

4- Humility in worship.

5- Remembering and thanking God throughout the day.

In addition to various translations of Nahj al-Balagha, which include this sermon as well, the sermon has been solely translated to Persian several times.

Moreover, more than 15 commentaries have been written about this sermon in addition to those of the whole Nahj al-Balagha.