Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 377

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

وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام):

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:

لاَ تَأْمَنَنَّ عَلَى خَيْرِ هذِهِ الاْمَّةِ عَذَابَ اللهِ، لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالى:

Do not feel safe from the punishment of Allah even about the best man in the whole community because Allah, the Sublime, says:

(فَلا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ اَللَّهِ إِلاَّ اَلْقَوْمُ اَلْخاسِرُونَ)

But no one feels secure against the plan of Allah save the people (who are the) losers. (Qur'an, 7:99).

وَ لاَ تَيْأَسَنَّ لِشَرِّ هَذِهِ اَلْأُمَّةِ مِنْ رَوْحِ اَللَّهِ لِقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى

Again, do not lose hope even for the worst man of the community because Allah-, the Sublime says:

(إِنَّهُ لا يَيْأَسُ مِنْ رَوْحِ اَللَّهِ إِلاَّ اَلْقَوْمُ اَلْكافِرُونَ).

Verily, despairs not of Allah's mercy but the disbelieving people. (Qur'an, 12:87).