What is Nahj al-Balagha?
Nahj al-Balagha (نَہجُ الْبَلَاغَہ), meaning "The Peak of Eloquence," is the most famous collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). It is considered the most important work of Arabic prose after the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH).
The work covers an extraordinary range of subjects — from the nature of God and the creation of the universe, to practical advice on governance, justice, morality, warfare, family life, and self-improvement. Its literary beauty, philosophical depth, and spiritual wisdom have captivated scholars and readers for over a thousand years.
The Compiler: Syed Razi
Syed al-Sharif al-Razi (سید الشریف الرضی, 970–1016 CE) was a renowned Islamic scholar, poet, and literary figure from Baghdad. He compiled Nahj al-Balagha around 1009–1010 CE (400 AH), gathering sermons, letters, and sayings of Ali from various earlier sources and oral traditions.
Syed Razi was himself considered one of the greatest Arab poets of his era. His literary genius enabled him to identify and select the most eloquent passages — hence the title "Peak of Eloquence." The compilation preserved for posterity words that might otherwise have been lost to time.
📖 The Sermons (Khutbat)
The 241 sermons form the heart of Nahj al-Balagha. They were delivered on various occasions — in mosques, on battlefields, at gatherings, and during his caliphate. Here are some of the most celebrated:
Sermon 1 — On the Creation of the Universe
"He created the creation without the help of anything, without the use of any tool, and without the adoption of any known method. He knows what is before and what is after, what is above and what is below."
Opening sermon on God's creative power and the nature of existence
Sermon 3 — The Shiqshiqiyyah
"By Allah, son of Abu Quhafah dressed himself with it [the caliphate], while he knew that my position in relation to it was the same as the position of the axis in relation to the hand-mill."
One of the most famous sermons, expressing his views on the succession after the Prophet. Known as "The Sermon of the Camel's Foam" because it was interrupted.
Sermon 193 — The Sermon of the Skeletons (Khutbat al-Ashbah)
"He who takes lessons from experience becomes wise; and he who is wise becomes safe."
A masterpiece describing the creation of angels, earth, skies, and humankind — considered the most eloquent sermon in Arabic literature
✉️ The Letters (Kutub)
The 79 letters include correspondence with governors, generals, allies, and adversaries. The most famous is his letter to Malik al-Ashtar — considered the greatest treatise on governance in Islamic history.
Letter 53 — To Malik al-Ashtar (Governor of Egypt)
"Infuse your heart with mercy, love, and kindness for your subjects. Be not in face of them a voracious animal, counting them as easy prey, for they are of two kinds: either they are your brothers in religion or your equals in creation."
This letter has been studied by the United Nations as a model for human rights and governance. It covers taxation, judiciary, military, civil services, commerce, and treatment of all citizens regardless of religion.
Letter 31 — To His Son Imam Hasan (RA)
"My dear son, I advise you to be God-fearing and to obey His commands. Fill your heart with the thought of Him. Cling to His rope. For no other bond is stronger than the bond between you and God, if you choose to hold on to it."
A tender, intimate letter of fatherly advice covering life, death, faith, relationships, and practical wisdom — a spiritual will to the next generation
💬 The Short Sayings (Hikam)
The 489 short sayings (hikam) are concise pearls of wisdom covering every aspect of human life. Many have become famous proverbs across the Muslim world.
Selected Sayings
"People are enemies of what they do not know."
"The worth of a man is what he does well."
"Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet."
"Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety; after all, it is in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly."
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere."
🌍 Legacy & Global Impact
Nahj al-Balagha has been translated into virtually every major language — English, Urdu, Persian, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Indonesian, Chinese, and many more. Scholars across centuries — both Sunni and Shia — have written extensive commentaries on it.
Notable commentaries include those by Ibn Abi al-Hadid (a Sunni scholar who wrote a 20-volume commentary), Allama Mufti Jaffar Husain (Urdu), and many modern scholars. The work has influenced Islamic philosophy, Sufi thought, political theory, and literary criticism.
Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, cited Ali's letter to Malik al-Ashtar as a remarkable document of early human rights — centuries before the concept was formalized in Western thought.