كَلِمَةُ حَقٍّ يُرَادُ بِهَا بَاطِلٌ!
A true statement to which a false meaning is attributed.
نَعَمْ إِنَّهُ لا حُكْمَ إِلاَّ للهِ،
It is true that verdict lies but with Allah,
ولكِنَّ هؤُلاَءِ يَقُولُونَ:
but these people say that
لاَ إِمْرَةَ،
(the function of) governance is only for Allah.
فَإِنَّهُ لاَبُدَّ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ أَمِير بَرّ أَوْ فَاجِر،
The fact is that there is no escape for men from ruler good or bad.
يَعْمَلُ فِي إِمْرَتِهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ،
The faithful persons perform (good) acts in his rule
وَيَسْتَمْتِعُ فِيهَا الْكَافِرُ،
while the unfaithful enjoys (worldly) benefits in it.
وَيُبَلِّغُ اللهُ فِيهَا الاْجَلَ،
During the rule, Allah would carry everything to end.
وَيُجْمَعُ بِهِ الْفَيءُ،
Through the ruler tax is collected,
وَيُقَاتَلُ بِهِ الْعَدُوُّ،
enemy is fought,
وَتَأْمَنُ بِهِ السُّبُلُ،
roadways are protected
وَيُؤْخَذُ بِهِ لِلضَّعِيفِ مِنَ الْقَوِيِّ،
and the right of the weak is taken from the strong
حَتَّى يَسْتَرِيحَ بَرٌّ،
till the virtuous enjoys peace
وَيُسْتَرَاحَ مِنْ فَاجِر.
and allowed protection from (the oppression of) the wicked.
وفي رواية أُخرى أنّه(عليه السلام) لمّا سمع تحكيمهم
Another version when Amir al-mu’minin heard the cry of the Kharijites on the said verdict
قال: حُكْمَ اللهِ أَنْتَظِرُ فِيكُمْ.
he said: I am expecting the verdict (destiny) of Allah on you.
وقال:
Then he continued:
أَمَّا الاْمْرَةُ الْبَرَّةُ فَيَعْمَلُ فيها التَّقِيُّ،
As for good government the pious man performs good acts in it,
وَأَمَّا الاْمْرَةُ الْفَاجرَةُ فَيَتَمَتَّعُ فِيهَا الشَّقِيُّ،
while in a bad government the wicked person enjoys
إلى أَنْ تَنْقَطِعَ مُدَّتُهُ، وَتُدْرِكَهُ مَنِيَّتُهُ.
till his time is over and death overtakes him.
Alternative Sources for Sermon 40: Al-Shafi’i, Kitab al-'umm; al-Tabari, Ta'rikh, VI, 41; Abu Talib al-Makki, Qut, I, 530; al-Ya’qubi, Ta'rikh, II, 136; al-Baladhuri, Ansab, 352, 355, 361, 377; al-Mubarrad, al-Kamil, II, 131.
