Lessons and Recommendations of Nahj-ul-Balaqa
Nahj-ul-Balaqa is a collection of sermons, precepts, prayers, epistles and aphorisms of Imam Ali (AS) compiled by al-Sayyid al-Sharif al-Radi about one thousand years ago.
It is a rich source for conveying Islamic teachings. The book is precious in terms of literary features but even more precious for its content.
Here, Quran and Nahj-ul-Balaqa researcher Habobollah Saberinasab highlights several points and lessons from Sermon 85 of Nahj-ul-Balaqa:
Religious lifestyle and way of living has been mentioned in Imam Ali (AS) words very attractively and beautifully and Nahj-ul-Balaqa is full of lessons and points that can help us all in life.
Every Muslim and religious person can benefit from the book’s valuable points and use them in his material and spiritual life according to his capacity.
Imam Ali (AS) in the second part of Nahj-ul-Balaqa’s 85th sermon mentions four enlightening points and recommendations for people to use in their life.
“O creatures of Allah! Take lesson from useful data-x-items of instruction …” Imam Ali (AS) points to events in history to teach lessons to people by drawing their attention to what happened to previous nations. .
Imam (AS) then says: “(Take lesson from) shining indications”. It means that in spiritual signs there are also shining lessons that, if benefited from, can enlighten the way and lead one to the right path just as great figures in the history of Islam benefited from these lessons in the best way and used them in life and gained salvation.
One should also take the warnings of the Quran and Nahj-ul-Balaqa seriously. Imam (AS) says: “Be cautioned by effective data-x-items of warning.” There are many warnings in the Quran that everyone must take seriously in personal and social life.
Learning from the Holy Quran, Nahj-ul-Balaqa and Sahifeh Sajjadiyeh guides us to the right path and blocks the path of deviation. Imam (AS) then says: “Get benefit from preaching and admonition.”
Authors writing for children and young adults should write books about the recommendations and warnings of Nahj-ul-Balaqa based on the needs of this age group and their psychological and mental requirements.
