Verily, Divine orders descends …

About keeping aloof from envy, and good behaviour towards kith and kin

Now then, verily Divine orders descend from heaven to earth like drops of rain, bringing to everyone what is destined for him whether plenty or paucity. So if any one of you observes for his brother plenty of progeny or of wealth or of self, it should not be a worry for him. So long as a Muslim does not commit such an act that if it is disclosed he has to bend his eyes (in shame) and by which low people are emboldened, he is like the gambler who expects that the first draw of his arrow would secure him gain and also cover up the previous loss.

Similarly, the Muslim who is free from dishonesty expects one of the two good things: either call from Allah and in that case whatever is with Allah is the best for him, or the livelihood of Allah. He has already children and property while his faith and respect are with him. Certainly, wealth and children are the plantations of this world while virtuous deed is the plantation of the next world. Sometimes Allah joins all these in some groups.

Beware of Allah against what He has cautioned you and keep afraid of Him to the extent that no excuse be needed for it. Act without show or intention of being heard, for if a man acts for other than Allah, then Allah entrusts him to that one. We ask Allah (to grant us) the positions of the martyrs, company of the virtuous and friendship of the prophets.

O people! Surely no one (even though he may be rich) can do without his kinsmen, and their support by hands or tongues. They alone are his support from rear and can ward off from him his troubles, and they are the most kind to him when tribulations befall him. The good memory of a man that Allah retains among people is better than the property which others inherit from him.

Alternative Sources for Sermon 23

(1) Al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, II, 56, 294, V, 56;

(2) Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih, al-’Iqd, II, 366;

(3) Nasr ibn Muzahim, Siffin, 10;

(4) al-Ya’qubi Ta’rikh, II, 149;

(5) al-Zamakhshari, Rabi’, bab al-kasb wa al-mal;

(6) al-Muttaqi, Kanz, VIII, 225;

(7) Ibn ‘Asakir, Ta’rikh, in the biographical account of ‘A1i (A);

(8) Ibn Salam, Gharib al-hadith, II, 183;

(9) Ibn al-‘Athir, al-Nihayah, III, 468;

(10) Ibn Qutaybah, ‘Uyun, I, 189;

(11) al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat, I, 80.