Sermon 75

The Umayyads's knowledge about me did not restrain them from accusing me, nor did my precedence (in accepting Islam) keep off these ignorant people from blaming me. Allah's admonitions are more eloquent than my tongue. I am the contester against those who break away from Faith and the opposer of those who entertain doubts. Uncertainties should be placed before Qur'an, the Book of Allah (for clarification). Certainly, people will be recompensed according to what they have in their hearts.

Arabic Text

ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) لمّا بلغه اتهام بني أُميّة له بالمشاركة في دم عثمان أَوَلَمْ يَنْهَ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ عِلْمُهَا بِي عَنْ قَرْفي أَوَمَا وَزَعَ الْجُهَّالُ سَابِقَتِي عَنْ تُهَمَتِي؟! وَلَمَا وَعَظَهُمُ اللهُ بِهِ أَبْلَغُ مِنْ لِسَاني. أَنَا حَجِيجُ الْمَارِقِينَ وَخَصِيمُ الْمُرْتَابِينَ، عَلَى كِتَابِ اللهِ تُعْرَضُ الاْمْثالُ، وَبِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ تُجَازَى الْعِبَادُ!

Alternative Sources

(1) Ibn al-'Athir, al-Nihayah, under (q.r.f); (2) al-Turayhi, Majma', under (q.r.f).