created it for the first time. This is
what We have promised and We have
always been true to Our promise.
Imam Ali’s Sermon When Some
People Protested Against His having
Distributed
Booty Equally Among People
So now, O people, we praise our Lord;
Allah and the source of our clear and
unknown boons, which we obtain not
for our efforts and endeavors, but for
His favor and grace so as to test us
whether we would thank or show
ingratitude.
He will give more to those who
thank, while He will punish him
whoever shows ingratitude. I declare
there is no god but Allah uniquely
without any associate. He is One and
Absolute. I also declare that
Mohammed is His servant and
messenger. God sent him as mercy for
the slaves, lands, beasts, and animals.
He offers this mercy out of His grace
and favor. Peace and blessings be
upon Mohammed and his family.
O people, the best of people with
God are the most regardful for Him,
the most submissive to His
commandment, the most painstaking
in the obedience to Him, the best
follower of the Sunna of the Prophet
(peace be upon him and his family),
and the best compliant with God’s
Book. No one of God’s creature has a
preference to another except through
the obedience to God and His
Apostle and the compliance with
God’s Book and the Prophet’s Sunna.
This is God’s Book among us. The
Prophet’s commandments and
traditions are with us. Only the
ignorant, apostate, and rebellious, no
one is unaware of them. God says:
People, We have created you all male
and female and have made you
nations and tribes so that you would
recognize each other. The most
honorable among you in the sight of
God is the most pious of you.
He who fears God is the true
honorable, dignified, and favored.
The same thing is said about the
obedient to God and His Apostle.
God says:
If you love God, follow me. God will
love you and forgive your sins. God is
All-forgiving and All-merc