7. ‘Ali’s Last Words
WhenIbnMuljim,theKharijite,woundedImam‘AlībinAbiTālib(a.s.),
the Imam gathered his family members and made a will to his sons
ImamHasanandImamHusaynasageneraladviceforthemandalsofor
his followers. Some excerpts from that will is presented here:
Iadviseyou(both)andallmychildrenandmembersofmyfamilyand
everyonewhommywritingreaches,tofearAllah,tokeepyouraffairsin
order,andtomaintaingoodrelationsamongyourselvesforIhaveheard
yourgrandfather(theProphet)saying,“Improvementof mutualdiffer-
ences is better than general prayers and fastings.”
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewinthematteroforphans.Sodonot
allow them to starve and they should not be ruined in your presence.
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewin thematterofyour neighbours,
becausethey werethe subject ofthe Prophet’s advice.He wentonad-
vising in theirfavour till we thought he would allow thema share in
inheritance.
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewinthematteroftheQur’ān.Noone
should excel you in acting upon it.
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewinthematterofprayer,becauseitis
the pillar of your religion.
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewinthematterofyourLord’sHouse
(Ka’bah).Donotforsakeitsolongasyoulive,becauseifitisabandoned
you will not be spared.
FearAllahandkeepAllahinviewinthematterofjihādwiththehelp
of your property, lives and tongues in the way of Allah.
You should maintain respect for kinship and spending for others.
Avoidturningawayfromoneanotherandseveringmutualrelations.Do
notgiveupbiddingforgoodandforbiddingfromevillestthemischiev-
ousgainpositionsoveryou, andthenifyouwillpray, theprayerswill
not be granted.[43]