The Will of Hazrat Ali (ra)

When the time of Hazrat Ali’s (ra) demise drew near, he made a will, which read as follows:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. This is the will of Ali bin Abi Talib. As part of Ali’s will, he bears testimony that there is none worthy of worship except Allah – He is One and has no partner – and that Muhammad (sa) is His servant and Messenger, who was guided by Allah and sent with the true religion, so that He may make it prevail over every religion, even though the other idolaters may dislike it. Surely my prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for the sake of Allah, who is Lord of All the Worlds, Who has no partner. This is what I have been commanded and I am of the obedient.

“After this, O Hasan” – he addressed his son – “I advise you, the rest of my progeny and my entire family to always remain fearful of Allah the Almighty, your Master. Also, you should leave this world in the state of belief in Islam. You should hold fast to the rope of Allah altogether and not be divided amongst yourselves, for I have heard Abu Al-Qasimsa [the Holy Prophet (sa)] say that to reform your mutual relationships is better than voluntary prayers and voluntary fasts.”

This is an important matter which should be remembered; the fact that reconciling your mutual relationships is a matter greater than offering voluntary prayers and fasts. To live harmoniously with one another and to settle your differences with one another and between others is a matter of great virtue.

“Take care of your relatives and treat them well; thus will Allah judge you with leniency. Fear Allah in matters pertaining to orphans; do not treat them in a manner that they are compelled to ask for help from you themselves, nor should you let them perish before you. Fear Allah in matters pertaining to neighbours, for this was the will of the Holy Prophet (sa). He always advised to remain mindful of the rights owed to neighbours, to the extent that we used to think that he may include the neighbours as heirs in one’s will.

“Fear Allah with regard to the Holy Quran, lest others precede you in fulfilling its commandments. Fear Allah in relation to the observance of prayer, for it is the pillar of your faith. Fear Allah with regard to the House of your Lord and do not allow it to become void as long as you live, for if you do so, you shall never find a house the like thereof. Fear Allah in the matter of Jihad in the way of Allah and strive with your lives and your wealth. Fear Allah in the matter of Zakat, for it extinguishes the wrath of God. Fear Allah in relation to the responsibility entrusted upon you by the Holy Prophet (sa). No one should be treated unjustly amongst you. Fear Allah in the matter of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa), for he has instructed us in their favour. Fear Allah in the matter of the poor and needy and share with them your means of livelihood. Fear Allah in the matter of those whom your right hands possess”, i.e. fear Allah in the matters of those for whom you have been made responsible.

“Safeguard your prayers. Safeguard your prayers. Do not fear the reproach of anyone when seeking the pleasure of God Almighty.” You should always give precedence to attaining the pleasure of God; this is very important. “God Alone will suffice you against anyone who wishes to do you harm or rebel against you. Speak good to people as you have been commanded by God Almighty. Do not forsake the enjoining of good and forbidding of evil, otherwise the evil ones amongst you will become your rulers”.

This is very important; to always adhere to the commandment of enjoining good and forbidding evil, i.e. encouraging to do good and prohibiting from evil, otherwise evil people from among you will be in authority over you.

“[If that happens] then you will pray and your prayers will not be accepted” as is the condition of the Muslim countries nowadays. “Maintain the bonds and ties amongst one another and be of service to one another without any formalities. Beware! Do not enflame your enmities between one another, do not sever your ties and do not cause divisions. Help one another in piety and righteousness, but help not one another in sin and transgression. Fear Allah; surely Allah is severe in punishment. O honourable members of Ahl-e-Bait [members of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) family]! May Allah protect you and safeguard the Holy Prophet (sa) through you” i.e. through your pious examples, may the legacy of the Holy Prophet (sa) continue to live on. “I entrust you to Allah and invoke the peace and mercy of Allah upon you.”

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1987], p. 158)