إِنَّ اسْتَعْدَادِي لِحَرْبِ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَجِرِيرٌ عِنْدَهُمْ، إِغْلاَقٌ لِلشَّامِ،
My preparation for war with the people of Syria (ash-Sham) while Jarir ibn ‘Abdillah al-Bajali is still there would be closing the door for Syria
وَصَرْفٌ لاِهْلِهِ عَنْ خَيْر إِنْ أَرادُوهُ،
and prevention of its people from good action (i.e. allegiance) if they intend doing it.
وَلكِنْ قَدْ وَقَّتُّ لِجَرِير وَقْتاً لاَ يُقِيمُ بَعْدَهُ إِلاَّ مَخْدُوعاً أَوْ عَاصِياً،
However, I have fixed a time limit for Jarir after which he would not stay without either deception or in disobedience.
وَالرَّأْيُ مَعَ الاْنَاةِ، فَأَرْوِدُوا،
My opinion is in favour of patience, so wait a while.
وَلاَ أَكْرَهُ لَكُمُ الاْعْدَادَ.
(In the meantime) I do not dislike your getting ready.
وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْتُ أَنْفَ هذَا الاْمْرِ وَعَيْنَهُ، وَقَلَّبْتُ ظَهْرَهُ وَبَطنَهُ،
I have observed this matter thoroughly from all sides
فَلَمْ أَرَلِي إِلاَّ الْقِتَالَ أَوِ الْكُفْرَ.
but I do not find any way except war or heresy.
إِنَّهُ قَدْ كَانَ عَلَى الاْمَّةِ وَال أَحْدَثَ أَحْدَاثاً،
Certainly, there was over the people a ruler (before me) who brought about new (un-Islamic) things
وَأَوْجَدَ النَّاسَ مَقَالاً،
and compelled the people to speak out.
فَقَالُوا،
So they did speak,
ثُمَّ نَقَمُوا فَغَيَّروا.
then rose up and thereafter changed the whole system.
Alternative Sources for Sermon 43: Al-Khwarazmi, Manaqib, 108; Nasr ibn Muzahim, Siffin, 55; Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I, 94; Ibn ‘Abd Rabbih, al-’Iqd, II, 108; al-Saduq, Man la yahduruh, I, 461; al-Tusi, Misbah, 429.
