Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 405

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes.
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وقال عليه السلام لعمار بن ياسر رحمه الله، وقد سمعه يراجع المغيرة بن شعبة كلاماً:

Amir al-mu’minin, peace be upon him, heard Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah have mercy on him) conversing with al- Mughirah ibn Shu'bah and said:

دَعْهُ يَا عَمَّارُ،

Let him alone O Ammar,

فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ مِنَ الدِّينِ

for he has entered religion

إِلاَّ مَا قَارَبَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا،

only to the extent of his deriving advantage of the world,

وَعَلَى عَمدٍ لَبَّسَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ

and he has wilfully involved himself in misgivings

لِيَجْعَلَ الشُّبُهَاتِ عَاذِراً لِسَقَطَاتِهِ

in order to adopt them as cover for his shortcomings.