417. Imām Ali (a.s.) – from an aphorism attributed to him: “If your enemy pretended friendship and honesty to you, accept it with warm friendship, for if he goes on with this [attitude] and gets accustomed to it, his friendship will become sincere.”1
8/4
Compromise along with Sagacity
418. Imām Ali (a.s.): “I found compromising more beneficial than combating, so long as it does not weaken Islam.”2
419. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The best of advice is guiding to reconciliation.”3
420. Imām Ali (a.s.) - in his instructions to Mālik al-Ashtar: “Never reject a peace to which your enemy calls you and in which is God’s pleasure, for in peace there is ease for your soldiers, relaxation from your worries and security for your land. But be cautious, very cautious, with your enemy after (having made) peace with him, for the enemy may have drawn near in order to take advantage of (your) negligence. Therefore be prudent and have doubts about trusting your enemy in this (matter).”4
8/5
Extreme Warning against the Enemy
421. Imām Ali (a.s.): “One who is asleep (negligent), [others] are not asleep (negligent) about him.”5
422. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Be extremely vigilant against your enemy.”6
1.. Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۲۰, p. ۳۲۱, h. ۶۸۰.
2.. Ghurar al-Hikam: ۱۰۱۳۸, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۵۰۶, h. ۹۲۸۸.
3.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۹۳۷۹, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۷۰, h. ۸۵۷۹.
4.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۵۳, Khasā'is al-A'imma, p. ۱۲۳, Da`ā'im al-Islām, vol. ۱, p. ۳۶۷.
5.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۶۲, al-Ghārāt, vol. ۱, p. ۳۲۱.
6.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۱۰۳۰۱.
