The Commander of the Faithful, the Gateway of Knowledge and
Wisdom, Imam Ali (a.s.) wrote his will to his son, on his return from the
Battle of Siffin in the form of a letter. There are conflicting reports as to
whom it was addressed; the Infallible Imam Hasan (a.s.) or Muhammad
al-Hanafiyya. However, in Najul Balagha, it is addressed to Imam Hasan (a.s.)
and Imam Husayn (a.s.)
It may be noted that the members of the Household of the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were infallible (free of sins or errors). Whether
it is this will or the supplications of Sahifa al-Sajjadia of the Infallible
Imam Ali ibnal Husayn (a.s.), it was meant for the guidance of the Muslims. It
covers every aspect of human life to make it successful-brave, humane,
generous, virtuous and pious.
He (a.s.) says, “My first and foremost advice to you is to
fear Allah. Be His honest servant. Keep His thought always in your mind. Be attached and carefully guard
the principles (Islam). Adopt piety and kill your inordinate desires with its
help. Build your character with the help of true faith in the religion - Islam.
Subjugate your nature with the vision of death, study the life of past people.
Rise and fall of civilizations, its people and what was their contributions to
the human welfare. You will conclude that they have parted with their loved
ones and everyone is now in a solitary abode, alone and unattended (grave); and
you will also be like him. Take care to provide well for your future abode. Do
not barter away eternal blessings for pleasures of this mortal and fleeting
world. Reconciliation of your differences is worthier than all prayers and all fasting.
Fear Allah in matters concerning the orphans. Fear Allah in relations to your
neighbors. Remain attached to the Glorious Qur’an. Fear Allah in relation to
your (obligatory) prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.
Do not talk about
things which you do not know. Advise people to do good and virtuously. Let your
words and deeds teach the world lessons of how to abstain from wickedness and
vicious deeds. Try to keep away from those who indulge in vices and sins. Fight
to defend the cause of Allah. Fearlessly and boldly help truth and justice.
Develop the habit of patience against sufferings, calamities and adversities.
Trust in Allah to face them. Do not seek protection and from anybody but Allah.
Reserve your prayers and supplications for Him only because He is All Powerful.
The knowledge which does not benefit anybody is useless.
The Lord who is the Master
of death is also Master of life. This world is working under the laws ordained
by Him, and it consists of assemblage and aggregation of actions and reactions,
causes and effects, calamities and reverses, pains and pleasures and rewards
and punishments. If you do not understand a thing do no reject it. Best thing
is to seek guidance from the One, Who has created you, Who maintains and
nourishes you.
Do unto others as you
wish others to do unto you. Do not oppress and tyrannize anybody because surely
you do not like to be oppressed and tyrannized. Be kind and sympathetic to
others as you certainly desire others to treat kindly and sympathetically.
Remember, that vanity and conceit are forms of folly. Lead a well-balanced life
(neither be conceited nor suffer from inferiority complex) and exert yourself
to earn an honest living. By the guidance of the Lord if you achieve a thing
you desire, then do not be proud but be humble and submissive to Him.
The Merciful Lord has
ordered that every evil deed of yours will be counted as one and virtuous deeds
and pious actions will be rewarded tenfold. He has left the door of repentance
open. By granting you the privilege of praying for His favors and Mercies, He
has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. You are created for the next
world and not for this. Death is following you, you cannot run away from it. Be
warned that you do not make yourself a slave of anybody. The little given by
Allah is more useful. Nobody can guard your secrets better than you. Treat the
members of your family with love and respect.
Source: Condensed from “al-islam.org/The Last Will of Ali ibn Abi Talib”
& Nahjul Balagha
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