Nahj al-Balāgha

In response to a suggestion of war

Volume 1 Section 43 3 narrations
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Warfare/Jihad 3 Historical Event 1 Patience 1 Consultation (Shura) 1 Imam Ali 1 Ahl al-Bayt 1

In this chapter

hadith 188
After Amīr al-mu’minīn had sent Jarīr ibn ‘Abdillāh al-Bajalī to Mu‘āwiyah (for securing his allegiance) some of his companions suggested preparation to fight with him then he said :
ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) وقد أشار عليه أصحابه بالاستعداد لحرب أهل الشام بعد إرساله جرير بن عبدالله البجلي إلى معاوية
Tags Warfare/JihadHistorical Event
hadith 189
My preparation for war with the people of Syria (ash-Sham) while Jarīr ibn ‘Abdillāh al-Bajalī is still there would be closing the door for Syria and prevention of its people from good action (i.e. allegiance) if they intend doing it. However, I have fixed a time limit for Jarīr after which he would not stay without either deception or in disobedience. My opinion is in favour of patience, so wait a while. (In the meantime) I do not dislike your getting ready.
إِنَّ اسْتَعْدَادِي لِحَرْبِ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَجِرِيرٌ عِنْدَهُمْ، إِغْلاَقٌ لِلشَّامِ، وَصَرْفٌ لاِهْلِهِ عَنْ خَيْر إِنْ أَرادُوهُ، وَلكِنْ قَدْ وَقَّتُّ لِجَرِير وَقْتاً لاَ يُقِيمُ بَعْدَهُ إِلاَّ مَخْدُوعاً أَوْ عَاصِياً، وَالرَّأْيُ مَعَ الاْنَاةِ، فَأَرْوِدُوا، وَلاَ أَكْرَهُ لَكُمُ الاْعْدَادَ.
Tags Warfare/JihadPatienceConsultation (Shura)
hadith 190
I have observed this matter thoroughly from all sides but I do find any way except war or heresy. Certainly, there was over the people a ruler (before me) who brought about new (unIslamic) things and compelled the people to speak out. So they did speak, then rose up and thereafter changed the whole system.
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْتُ أَنْفَ هذَا الاْمْرِ وَعَيْنَهُ، وَقَلَّبْتُ ظَهْرَهُ وَبَطنَهُ، فَلَمْ أَرَلِي إِلاَّ الْقِتَالَ أَوِ الْكُفْرَ بِمَا جَاءَ مُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّي اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ. إِنَّهُ قَدْ كَانَ عَلَى الاْمَّةِ وَال أَحْدَثَ أَحْدَاثاً، وَأَوْجَدَ النَّاسَ مَقَالاً، فَقَالُوا، ثُمَّ نَقَمُوا فَغَيَّروا.
Tags Warfare/JihadImam AliAhl al-Bayt