Imam Ali-asws said, ‘you will find Divine secrets about us, in my sermon of ‘Bian’, which no one would be able to comprehend except the truly guided scholars. It is also recommended to first read and understand ‘Hadith-e-Tariq’[1] prior to refereeing to khutaba-tul-Bian.
‘Imam Alí-asws delivered the following Sermon:
I am the one who has the keys to ‘unseen’ and after the messenger of Allah-saww, no one knows about them except myself. I possess knowledge about everything, I am the ‘one’ about whom Rasool Allah-saww has said, ‘I am the city of knowledge and Ali-asws is its gateway’. I am ‘Zulkarnain’[2] who’s virtues are revealed in the Divine Books, I am that ‘Hajar Mukarram’[3] from where 12 springs will emerge, I am the holder of ‘Sulayman’s Ring’[4], I am the ‘one’ who appraises the deeds of masses, I am ‘Lohay-Mahfooz’[5], I am ‘Jumb-Allah’, and ‘Qalab-Allah’[6]. I am the ‘one’ who has control over people’s views and beliefs and they will all return to us[7] and we are entrusted with the authority to evalutate their deeds, I am the ‘one’ about whom Rasool Allah-saww said, ‘O! Ali your conduct is the ‘Sirat-e-Mustaqeem’[8] and your judgement is, in fact, the verdict of thy Lord-azwj’. I have the Divine Knowledge about the past and the future. I am the (companion of) ‘First Adam’ and I am the (helper of) ‘first Nuh’[9].
I am the reliever of ‘Ibrahim Khaleel-as’-when he was thrown into the pool of fire, I am the proof of Divine mysteries, I am the rescuer and redeemer of a ‘momin’[10], I create the means (of sustenance), I form clouds (in the skies), grow leaves on the trees and bless them with the fruits and make springs to gush out of the earth’s crust. I laid down the earth and raised up the skies, I separate truth from falsehood, I will send people towards heaven and hellfire, I deliver the meanings of Heavenly scripts, I was created ‘Masoom’[11] by Allah-azwj, I am the treasurer of Divine knowledge, I am Allah-azwj‘s ‘Hujjat’[12] on His creatures, both in the skies and on the earth, I represent His integrity and justice, I am the ‘Dabatul Arz’[13], I will blow the first ‘Surr’’[14] on the Final Day of Judgement, I am ‘Rarifa’[15], I am Allah-azwj’s that ‘Symbol’ which will be shown on the day of Resurrection, I am the ‘one’, from whom nothing is concealed that may be on the face of the earth or residing in the gardens of heaven, I am that ‘moment in time’ of Allah-azwj (which will appear on the Day of Judgement) who’s denier will deserve the punishment of hellfire, I am that ‘Divine Book’ of Allah-azwj which has no ambiguity, I am those names of Allah-azwj, which should be recited during all prayers. I am the Divine Light from which Moses-as benefited and succeeded, I am the ‘one’ who would bring down high risers with tremor (on the day of judgement) and I will comfort ‘Momaneen’ as they emerge out of their graves.
I am the ‘one’ who has one thousand books of Divine Prophets-as, I speak all languages of the world, I am the companion and deliverer of Nuh-as, I console Ayub-as when he was suffering and I cured his illness, I comforted Younis-as and showed him the way out (of the fish’s jaws), I am the holder of that ‘Whistle’ which will destroy everything (on the final day of judgement) and I will, subsequently, bring back to life all people, and I will look after the affairs of the ‘Final day’. I have raised the ‘seven skies’ with the powers and commandments, entrusted to me by my Lord-azwj. I am very kind and extend pardon (upon repentance) but my wrath is certainly the wrath of Allah-azwj. I am the ‘one’ who was praised by ‘Ibrahim Khaleel-as’ after being saved (from the burning fire), I am the ‘wonder[16]’ of Moses-as which will punish all sinners (by grabbing them from their necks), I am the ‘one’, who when looked at the skies, did not find anyone who could challenge me. I am the ‘one’ who counts His creatures, even though they are numerous, and make sure they return back to their Lord-azwj. I am the trustee who protects Divine commands. I do not treat anyone with unkindness, as I am the Divine sustainer ‘Wali Allah’. His commands have been entrusted upon me and I have been made ruler over masses by my Lord-azwj. I am the ‘one’ who called the Moon and the Sun and they moved forward in my obedience. I am the ‘one’ who called upon ‘seven skies’ and they bow down on my instructions and stabilised in perfect posture. I am the ‘one’ who nominated all Prophets-as, created all worlds and laid down the earth. I am aware of all those affairs which have been made ‘compulsory (by my Lord-azwj). I am the ‘Amr[17]’ of Allah-azwj and the ‘Spirit’ of Allah-azwj, as Allah-azwj says (in Quran), ‘they ask you (O! Prophet) about the ‘Spirit’, you tell them that ‘Spirit’ is from Allah-azwj’s ‘Amr’[18]. I am the ‘one’ about whom Allah-azwj has said to His Prophet-saww, ‘Two of you will send each and every malicious non-believer to the hellfire’. I am the ‘one’ who brought into existence everything, with the blessings of my Lord, after they were composed. I am the ‘one’ who anchored the mountains and spread the layers of earth, I am the ‘one’ who makes spring water flow, bring crops to yield grains, enable trees to grow and bless them with fruits. I am the ‘one’ who predicts the sustenance required by the ‘living species’ and bring down the rain, make clouds to produce thunder and flash lightening. I am the ‘one’ who gave golden rays to the Sun and enabled it to rise in the morning and created stars in the sky. I stabilise the boats in the deep oceans, I will bring the final day of judgement. I am the ‘one’ who has no sign of decay and cannot be eradicated. I am fully aware of the instant and place of creation of each and everything, the fears which, pass through the minds, the affairs of intermittent eyes and all that which are hidden in the hearts. I am the ‘Salat’, ‘Zakat’, ‘Hajj’ and ‘Jihad’ of a true believer. I am the ‘one’ who has been nominated by Allah-azwj to blow the final ‘whistle’, I am the manager and owner of all affairs from the beginning to the end, I was the ‘first’, being created from the Divine ‘Noor’, I am the ‘one’ who creates bright stars and takes away accumulated wealth[19]. I have control over earthquakes and colossal tremors; I am the bearer of galaxies[20] and destroy matter (which you see as burning stars). I understand the reasons of ‘manaya and Balaya’[21] and distinguish between the ‘just and unjust’. I am the holder of eloquent columns of heaves, which could never be replicated by the cities (you build), and I will be distributing its bounties (to the deserving ones). I annihilate the arrogant and malicious with ‘Zulfiqar’[22]. I am the ‘one’ who boarded Nuh-as on to the rescue boat and saved and consoled Ibrahim-as from the ravaging flames, ignited by Namrud-la. I was the saviour of Yousif-as in the time of his impoverished grief and pulled him out of the deep well. I am the master and mentor of Moses-as and Khizar-as. I am the treasurer of the heavens and the worlds underneath the skies. I create the features of babies in the wombs of their mothers, I give eyesight to those who are born blind and heal the incurable. I am aware of all that is kept in the minds and hearts and all that which is consumed and stored in the houses. I am that ‘Ba-auza’[23] which Allah-azwj has referred to in the Quran. I am the ‘one’ who was nominated by Allah-azwj at the time when all creatures were surrounded by the darkness and invited them to find salvation, under my guidance, but they disregarded their Lord-azwj’s commands, after coming into existence (gaining endurance). Allah-azwj has described this, ‘when he was sent to them they did not recognise him and became non-believers’. I am the ‘one’ who puts, with Divine blessings, the layers of flesh on the bones and I will, with my pious off-springs (Masoom-asws), carry Divine domain and ‘Liway-al- Hamd’[24]
I know the hidden meanings of Quran and I am the master of previously revealed Books. I know the true interpretation of the Quran and I am the ‘Wajah’[25] of Allah-azwj in the skies and on the earth. For this, Allah-azwj says, ‘Everything will be destroyed except the ‘Wajah’ of Allah-azwj’[26], I am the ‘one’ who will cause extinction to all evil powers. I am that gateway of Allah-azwj for which Allah-azwj says, ‘those who have denied My Signs and became arrogant (will be punished)- neither doors of skies will be opened for them nor will they be allowed to enter into the gardens of paradise, (even if they struggle)- like a camel who can never manage to go through the eye of a needle – and that’s how We punish the criminals’[27]. I am the ‘one’ who is obeyed by Jibraeel-as and Michaeel-as and I am the ‘one’ who has appointed both Jibraeel-as and Michaeel-as to manage spring-water which follows from the gardens of paradise. I am the ‘one’ who rotates duties of angles on the earth and know all people by their clan and to whom they follow. I am the ‘one’ for whom the Sun was retrieved back twice. I am the ‘one’ for whom Allah-azwj has specifically appointed Jibraeel-as and Michaeel-as to abide by my instructions. I am ‘one’ of the most liked names of Allah-azwj, which is above all and the most elevated. I am the ‘one’ who appeared at the mountain of ‘Toor’[28], I am the Divine display[29] of Allah-azwj. I am the gate of ‘Mahmoor’[30]. I am ‘Hars-o-Nasal’[31], I am the ‘one’ who’s obedience has been made compulsory, by Allah-azwj, on every soul and breathing species.
I will resurrect all, starting from the ‘first’ to the ‘last ones’ (ever existed). I eliminate cruel murderers with my sword ‘Zulfiqar’ and burn away their essence of life with the wrath of Divine fire. I am the ‘one’ to whom Allah-azwj has given full discretion over all religious affairs and I will take revenge from the cruel offenders. I am the ‘one’ for whom all nations were asked to submit, but whoever refused and offended the Divine obligation, was annihilated. I am the ‘one’ who will remove hypocrites from Rasool Allah-saww ‘s fountain of ‘Al-Kausar’. I am that gateway of Allah-azwj which, has been opened for people; whoever enters into it will be saved but whoever turns away from it, would be pronounced as a non-believer. I am the ‘one’ who holds the keys to the paradise as well as hellfire, I am the ‘one’ who declared war against those oppressors who tried to extinguish the ‘Divine light’ and stood in the way of His messenger–as. Thus Allah-azwj eradicated their schemes (through me) and saved His Messenger and perfectly established His commandments. Allah-azwj blessed His messenger with the Spring of ‘Kausar’ and awarded me with ‘the eternal life’[32]. I came to the earth to console Prophet Mohammed-saww. Thus, Allah-azwj blessed some (His love ones) with my recognition, whereas deprived others (His enemies) to acknowledge my attributes. I am standing in the skies where only souls are able to travel and I am the only ‘one’ who is able to breath there. I have the Divine knowledge but I opt to remain silent whereas Mohammed-saww preaches the religious message. I am the holder of ‘Quran–al-Aula’[33]. I saved Mosses-as from the deep waters and made ‘Pharaoh’ to drown. I was holder of the wrath of Allah-azwj which, was sent to the nation of Moses-as. I am the most knowledgeable person and understand the communication of birds and animals. I am the Symbol of Allah-azwj, Commands of Allah-azwj and treasurer of Allah-azwj[34]. I bring beings back to life and I take them to the valley of death, and again life stems from my commands. I provide sustenance and I listen to the calls of all creatures. I am aware of all and everything is under my observation. I am the ‘one’ who visits the seven skies and the earth in an instant. I am the ‘first and the final’ word of Allah-azwj. I am the ‘Zulqarnan’, Rasool Allah-saww depicted me as ‘Zulqarnain’ of his nation. I am the master of that camel which was sent to Prophet Saleh-as. I am the ‘one’ who will blow the Divine whistle on the day, which will be diabolical for the non-believers and there will not be any moment of relief. I am the ‘Ism-e-Azam’[35] which, is ‘Kaf-ha-ya-ain-suad’[36]. I am the ‘one’ who conversed from the cradle of Jesus-as. I am the ‘one’ who spoke with honest Yousif-as while he was very young, I am inimitable and there is no one to bear resemblance to me. I am the severe wrath of Allah-azwj (for His enemies). I will remain until the end and will be glorified by my Lord-azwj and assemble everyone and bring about the final day of judgement. I am one of those branches of ‘Olive’, for which Allah-azwj Says by the Figtree and the Olive.[37]
I am one of the Divine Torches of Prophecy and I reveal matters (and show signs) where and when I wish. I am the ‘one’ who observes the deeds of masses. There is nothing in the skies nor on the earth, which is hidden from me, I am the light of guidance and the candleholder in which the ‘Noor’ of Prophet Mohammed-saww is placed. I am the ‘one’ who should be acknowledged (by a believer), without accepting my Divine authority; the deeds of worshipers are worthless. I hold the keys to all miracles and unusual signs that appear, either in the skies or on the earth. I bring about the Divine Justice and I am aware of all the turmoil and disasters, which strike from time to time. I know the population of the ants and know their burden and listen to their sighs, I know the count and heaviness of mountains, and know the droplets of rain showers. I am that ‘Aiat-ul-Kubra’[38] which was shown to Pharaoh when he was among the wrong doers. I am the ‘one’ who turned towards the ‘two Kabah’ and will twice resurrect all beings. I am the ‘one’ who reveals various commandments, in any form, I choose. I am the ‘one’ who sprinkled dust on the faces of non-believers, . I am the ‘one’ who’s Divine authority was denied by thousands of nations in the past and in lieu to this, they were struck by my Lord’s wrath. I am the ‘one’ who was praised, even before the existence of time and I will appear again near the final day of judgement. I am the ‘one’ who destroyed the mighty Pharaoh and his kingdom, and punish the last ones ‘Jibt O Taghoot’[39], burn alive ‘Yauq, Yakhus and Nasr’[40] since they are responsible for misguiding numerous nations. I communicate in many languages and can offer verdict in over seventy forms. I am the Divine interpreter of the Quran and I am aware of all that would be needed by the followers (of Quran). I witness all that occurs during the day and night and all that will occur until the final day of judgement. I am the ‘one’ who enjoys ‘seventy-two’ names of Allah-azwj. I observe deeds of all species, being spread from the East to the West[41] and there is nothing hidden from me which belongs to them. I am the ‘Kabah, Bait-ul-Haram and bait-ul-Tayaq’[42], for which Allah-azwj says, ‘worship the ‘Rab’[43] of these houses’. I am the ‘one’ who would be made custodian, instantly, by the Lord, of the East and the West. I am the Mohammed Mustafa-saww and I am the Ali Murtaza-asws, just as Mohammed-saww has said, ‘Ali-asws is from me’. I am the praiseworthy of ‘Ruh-ul-Quds’[44], I am the ‘one’ who cannot be represented by a name or resembled with any entity. I bring to life all species the way I like and I am the ‘bab-e-Hattah’ for those who wish to succeed (in the day after). There is no one but the greatest and the most eloquent Lord-azwj, may Allah-azwj‘s peace be upon Mohammed-saww and his progeny and all praise is for Allah-azwj Who provides means of subsistence to all the inhabitants of the Worlds.[45]
[1] See www.hubeali.com (http://hubeali.com/new/khutbat/Hadith-e-Tariq.pdf)
[2] Zulkarnainas was a Prophet who was struck twice on the head by those who were against God’s message.
[3] Sacred Stone
[4] Meaning, I have control over all Jinn and human beings.
[5] A Divine display containing knowledge about the past, present and future.
[6] Both these titles means very close to Allah-azwj
[7] Means 14 Masomeenas
[8] The correct and straight path
[9] There were other worlds and nations before our universe.
[10] A true follower of Ahlul-Baitas
[11] Infallible
[12] Allahsaw’s Cause
[13] ‘Dabba-tul-Arz’ will appear near the mountain of Safa (near Mecca). He will have the ring of Hazrat Sulamanas and ‘Asa’ (walking stick) of Hazrat Musaas. He will inscribe on the forehead of ‘Momin’ (true believer) using the ring and will write on the forehead of ‘Kafir’ using the ‘Asa’. For further details, please see ‘Dajjal’ on www.hubeali.com.
[14] Deadly Whistle which will extinguish all traces of life.
[15] A Divine Carrier
[16] The Cane which showed miracles
[17] Divine authority and powers
[18] They will ask you about the Spirit. SAY: ‘The Spirit [operators] at my Lord’s command, while you have been given only a smattering of knowledge.’ Chapter 15, Verse 85.
[19] Similar to the burning stars
[20] ‘Kuakab’
[21] Being subjected to hardship and being engulfed by the calamities/disasters
[22] Divine Sword, brought to earth by Hazrat Jibraeelas during the battle of Ohad.
[23] The ‘one’ through which Allah-azwj afflicts punishment on His enemies, see Verse 26,The Cow, Chapter 2.
[24] A flag, offering refuge from the hardship of the final day of judgement.
[25] Face or representation
[26] Everyone upon it will disappear while your Lord’s face will remain full of majesty and splendour, Chapter 55, Verses, 26-27
[27] Chapter 26, Verse 24.
[28] The mountain where Divine Light was shown to Mosesas and his followers.
[29] Kitab-ul-Mastoor (Lohay Mahfooz)
[30] The first ever house being built on the Eighth Sky.
[31] I am the beginning and I am the end.
[32] Aab-e-Hiat.
[33] Divine Display/book in the skies.
[34] Aiat-Allah, Hujjat-Allah and Ameen-Allah
[35] Sacred name
[36] Divine abbreviation
[37] ‘Walteen Walzatone’, See verse 1, Chapter 95.
[38] The most eloquent Divine Symbol
[39] Devils- Abu Bakr-la and Umarl.a.
[40] The names of idols being worshiped during the pre-Islamic era.
[41] The south and North are included in the width of East and West.
[42] The direction for worship, House of Allah-azwj and the Divine house built on the 8th Sky.
[43] The custodian of these houses.
[44] The Divine Soul
[45] مشارق أنوار اليقين في أسرار أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام، ص: 269