The Trinity of Expression in Imam Ali's Sermon 105: A Timeless Guide to Action, Purpose, and Impact

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a cozy, warm, and inspiring reading nook with a modern and spiritual ambiance, perfect for reflection or writing.
Unveiling the eloquence of Imam Ali’s wisdom through the lens of balanced speech: understanding the synergy between actions, intentions, and methods in guiding humanity.

Let’s analyze the eulogy of the Prophet section of Sermon 105, as it provides a clear structure. We'll break it down step by step, identifying the action, purpose, and method/impact for each segment.

Sermon 105 - Nahjul Balagha

Excerpt 1

"Then Allah sent Muhammad (S) as a witness, giver of good tidings and warner, the best in the universe as a child and the most chaste as a grown-up man, the purest of the purified in conduct, the most generous of those who are approached for generosity."

1. Action:

  • "Allah sent Muhammad as a witness, giver of good tidings, and warner."
    The action here is Allah sending the Prophet with specific roles: witnessing, giving good news, and warning.

2. Purpose:

  • "The best in the universe as a child and the most chaste as a grown-up man."
    The purpose is tied to the Prophet’s inherent excellence and his role as an exemplar for humanity at all stages of life.

3. Method/Impact:

  • "The purest of the purified in conduct, the most generous of those who are approached for generosity."
    This describes the method or qualities through which he fulfilled his purpose—his purity in character and generosity that made him a moral guide and a source of comfort.

Excerpt 2 (About the Ummayads)

"This world did not appear sweet to you in its pleasures and you did not secure milk from its udders except after having met it when its nose-rein was trailing and its leather girth was loose."

1. Action:

  • "You did not secure milk from its udders."
    The action symbolizes the exploitation of worldly resources, with the metaphor of milking a cow.

2. Purpose:

  • "Except after having met it when its nose-rein was trailing and its leather girth was loose."
    The purpose highlights the opportunistic nature of those exploiting the world—it was only after the world was weakened and vulnerable that they took advantage.

3. Method/Impact:

  • Metaphorical imagery of a cow (nose-rein trailing, girth loose).
    This metaphor shows the ease and lack of resistance with which they gained control over worldly pleasures, emphasizing their greed.

Excerpt 3 (Exhortation to the People)

"O people! Secure light from the flame of lamps of the preacher who follows what he preaches and draw water from the spring which has been cleaned of dirt."

1. Action:

  • "Secure light from the flame of lamps of the preacher."
    The action is seeking guidance from a sincere and truthful preacher.

2. Purpose:

  • "Who follows what he preaches."
    The purpose is to highlight the value of aligning actions with words, ensuring the preacher’s integrity.

3. Method/Impact:

  • "Draw water from the spring which has been cleaned of dirt."
    This metaphor conveys the clarity and purity of knowledge and guidance when sought from a reliable source.

Key Observations

  • Imam Ali uses layers of meaning in each statement: Action (what is done), Purpose (why it is done), and Method/Impact (how it is done or the resulting effect).
  • Metaphors are abundant, adding depth to his words. For example, the metaphor of light and lamps conveys clarity and guidance, while the imagery of milk and udders conveys worldly exploitation.
  • Parallelism and rhythm enhance the structure**, making his words easier to absorb and reflect upon.


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