In condemnation of the people of Iraq

Pearl of Wisdom

from Asma' bint Yazid al-Ansari that she went to the Prophet (SAWA) whilst he was with his companions, and said, may my mother and father be ransomed for you! I come to you representing women, and know may my soul be sacrificed for you that there is no woman that exists in the east or the west who does not agree with me if she was to hear of my visit to you. Allah sent you with the truth to men and women, so we believed in you and in your God who sent you. We women are restricted and limited, confined to your [men's] houses, fulfillers of your desires, bearers of your children, and you men are superior to us because of the Friday and congregational prayers, visiting the sick, participating in burials, pilgrimage after pilgrimage, and better than all that, fighting (jihad) in the path of Allah. When a man from among you goes for the obligatory or voluntary pilgrimage, or is stationed away from home, we protect your property for you, sew your clothes, bring up your children, so what do we share with The Prophet (SAWA) turned his whole face to his companions and said, 'Have you ever heard a woman speaking better than she has in her asking about her religion?' They said, ?O Messenger of Allah, we did not think that a woman could be so guided like this!' The Prophet (SAWA) then turned towards her and said, 'Leave, O woman, and inform the women after you that for one of you to be a good spouse to her husband, her seeking his satisfaction and her following of what he approves is equivalent to all that you mentioned.' So the woman left, saying: 'There is no god but Allah (la ilaha illallah) and aggrandizing Allah (Allahu Akbar) with happiness.'

al-Bayhaqi

al-Durr al-Manthur, v. 2, p. 518

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Library » Nahj ul Balagha » Sermons » In condemnation of the people of Iraq

In condemnation of the people of Iraq

Sermon 70 In condemnation of the people of Iraq

Now then, O ' people(1) of Iraq! You are like the pregnant woman who, on completion of the period of pregnancy delivers a dead child and her husband is also dead and her period of widowhood is long while only remote relation inherits her. By Allah, I did not come to you of my own accord. I came to you by force of circumstances. I have come to know that you say `Ali speaks lie. May Allah fight you! Against whom do I speak lie? Whether against Allah? But I am the first to have believed in him. Whether against His Prophet? But I am the first who testified to him. Certainly not. By Allah it was a way of expression which you failed to appreciate, and you were not capable of it. Woe to you. I am giving out these measures of nice expression free of any cost. I wish there were vessels good enough to hold them.

Certainly, you will understand it after some time. (Qur'an, 38:88)

(1). When after Arbitration the Iraqis displayed lethargy and heartlessness in retaliating the continuous attacks of Mu`awiyah, Amir al-mu'minin delivered this sermon abusing and admonishing them. Herein he has referred to their being deceived at Siffin and has likened them to a woman who has five qualities:

Firstly, she is pregnant. This implies that these people had full capability to fight, and were not like a barren woman from whom nothing is expected

Secondly, she has completed the period of pregnancy. That is they had passed over all difficult stages and had approached near the final goal of victory.

Thirdly, she wilfully miscarries her child. That is after coming close to victory they came down to settlement and instead of achieving the coveted goal faced disappointment.

Fourthly, her period of widowhood is long. That is they fell in such a state as though they had no protector or patron and they were roaming about without any ruler.

Fifthly, her successors would be distant persons. That is the people of Syria who had no relationship with them would occupy their properties.

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