View source for Sermon of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in Levant

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It is said that Imam Sajjad (AS) delivered a speech against Yazid in his court. What did the Imam (AS) say in this speech?{{question end}}
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'''The Sermon of Imam Sajjad (AS) in Sham''' is one of the most famous speeches delivered by [[Imam Sajjad (AS)]] after Ashura, in which the Imam was able to shake the legitimacy of the [[Umayyad]] rule and neutralize their 40-year propaganda against [[Imam Ali (AS)]] and the [[Ahl al-Bayt (AS)]]. The main themes of this sermon are considered to be the clarification of the status of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to demonstrate the injustice of the caliphate's actions against them during the [[Event of Karbala]].

The sermon of Imam Sajjad (AS) in Sham is regarded as a testament to his courage and eloquence, as well as his role in illuminating the path of truth by reviving the message of the Ashura movement. It is said that this speech had an immediate enlightening impact: protests against [[Yazid ibn Muawiyah]]'s actions erupted, the gathering was filled with wailing and weeping, and a group of people left the assembly without following the caliph in prayer.

According to sources, the sermon was delivered after the Event of Ashura, when the survivors of the tragedy were taken as captives to Sham. According to one account, Yazid ordered his court orator to ascend the pulpit and praise [[Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan]] while slandering [[Imam Hussain (AS)]] and his family. The orator did so, but his speech was met with protest from Imam Sajjad (AS), who requested permission to speak. Initially, his request was denied, but after the people insisted, Yazid reluctantly allowed the Imam (AS) to deliver his speech.

== Significance ==
The sermon of Imam Sajjad (AS) in Sham is considered one of his most famous and unparalleled speeches, described as extraordinary and impactful. It is said to have shaken the legitimacy of the [[Umayyad]] rule and neutralized their 40-year propaganda against [[Imam Ali (AS)]] and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).<ref>Shahidi, Sayyid Ja'far, "The Life of Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS)," Tehran, 1367 AH, p. 75. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, "Ashura: Roots, Motives, Events, Consequences," Qom, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib School, 1384 AH, p. 610. Modarresi, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi, "The Life of Sayyid al-Sajidin, Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS)," Tehran, Mohibban al-Husayn Publications, 1388 AH, p. 69.</ref>

This sermon is seen as a demonstration of the courage and eloquence of [[Imam Sajjad (AS)]] and his role in illuminating the path of truth by reviving the message of the Ashura movement. It is said that the speech had an immediate enlightening effect: protests against Yazid's actions erupted, the gathering was filled with wailing and weeping, and a group of people left the assembly without following the caliph in prayer.<ref>Makarem Shirazi, Naser, "Ashura: Roots, Motives, Events, Consequences," Qom, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib School, 1384 AH, p. 612.</ref>

Some researchers have considered this sermon as a model for Hussaini pulpits; a model that, when followed, can leave a deeper and more profound impact on the hearts of people.<ref>Modarresi, Sayyid Muhammad Taqi, "The Life of Sayyid al-Sajidin, Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS)," Tehran, Mohibban al-Husayn Publications, 1388 AH, p. 69.</ref>

== Context and Conditions of the Sermon ==
According to sources, the sermon of Imam Sajjad (AS) in Sham was delivered after the [[Event of Ashura]], when the survivors of the tragedy were taken as captives to Sham.<ref>Shahidi, Sayyid Ja'far, "The Life of Ali ibn al-Husayn (AS)," Tehran, 1367 AH, p. 75.</ref> According to one account, [[Yazid ibn Muawiyah]] ordered his court orator to ascend the pulpit and, taking advantage of the captives' situation, praise [[Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan]] while slandering [[Imam Hussain (AS)]] and his family. The orator did so and uttered numerous insults against [[Imam Ali (AS)]] and Imam Hussain (AS).<ref>Makarem Shirazi, Naser, "Ashura: Roots, Motives, Events, Consequences," Qom, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib School, 1384 AH, p. 604.</ref>

According to sources, while the orator was delivering these insults against the [[Ahl al-Bayt (AS)]], [[Imam Sajjad (AS)]] suddenly cried out: {{Arabic text|وَيْلَكَ أَيُّهَا الْخاطِبُ! لَقَدِ اشْتَرَيْتَ مَرْضاةَ الَمخْلُوقِ بِسَخَطِ الْخالِقِ، فَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَكَ مِنَ النَّارِ|Translation=Woe to you, O orator! You have sought the pleasure of the creation by angering the Creator? Prepare your seat in the fire of Hell!}}<ref>Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, "Al-Luhuf 'ala Qatla al-Tufuf," researched by Faris Hassoun, Qom, Asourah Publications, 1417 AH, p. 219.</ref> Then, the Imam (AS) turned to Yazid and said: {{Arabic text|أَتَاْذَنَ لي أَنْ أرْقى هذِهِ الْأَعْوادَ فَأَتَكَلَّمَ بِكَلامٍ فيهِ للَّهِ تَعالى رِضىً، وَلِهؤُلاءِ أَجْرٌ وَثَوابٌ|Translation=Do you permit me to ascend this pulpit and speak words that will please Allah and bring reward and recompense to these people?}} Yazid refused the Imam's request, knowing that allowing it would lead to his own disgrace. However, the people insisted, and Yazid eventually relented, allowing the Imam (AS) to ascend the pulpit. The Imam (AS) then delivered his famous sermon after praising Allah.<ref>Khawarizmi, Muwaffaq ibn Ahmad, "Maqtal al-Husayn (AS)," researched by Muhammad Samawi, Qom, Anwar al-Huda Publications, 1423 AH, vol. 2, p. 76.</ref>

== Main Themes of the Sermon ==
The main themes of Imam Sajjad (AS)'s sermon in Sham are considered to be the clarification of the status of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to demonstrate the injustice of the caliphate's actions against them during the Event of Karbala.<ref>Makarem Shirazi, Naser, "Ashura: Roots, Motives, Events, Consequences," Qom, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib School, 1384 AH, p. 611.</ref> Imam Sajjad (AS) began by introducing [[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]], [[Imam Ali (AS)]], and [[Lady Fatimah Zahra (AS)]], identifying himself as their descendant and the son of [[Imam Hussain (AS)]] and [[Lady Khadijah (AS)]].<ref>Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Taqi, "Bihar al-Anwar," Beirut, Al-Wafa Foundation, 1403 AH, vol. 45, p. 138.</ref>

In his sermon, [[Imam Sajjad (AS)]] attributed six noble qualities to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS): knowledge, patience, generosity, eloquence, courage, and love in the hearts of the believers. The Imam (AS) also listed seven characteristics that distinguished the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) from others: that the Prophet (PBUH), [[Imam Ali (AS)]], Ja'far al-Tayyar, Hamzah (the Prophet's uncle), and [[Imam Hassan (AS)]] and [[Imam Hussain (AS)]] were from this family. Imam Sajjad (AS) then introduced himself as the heir of the best servants of Allah.<ref>Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad Taqi, "Bihar al-Anwar," Beirut, Al-Wafa Foundation, 1403 AH, vol. 45, p. 138.</ref>

== Text and Translation of the Sermon ==
'''{{fulltext|Sermon of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in Syria}}'''
{{text and translation
|left column style=width:65%
|'''بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّ‌حْمَـٰنِ الرَّ‌حِيمِ'''
|'''In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful.'''
|أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أُعْطِينَا سِتّاً وَ فُضِّلْنَا بِسَبْعٍ.
|“O people! We were granted six things and have been favoured with seven: 
|أُعْطِينَا الْعِلْمَ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَ السَّمَاحَةَ وَ الْفَصَاحَةَ وَ الشَّجَاعَةَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ فِي قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.
|We were granted knowledge, clemency, leniency, fluency, courage, and love for us in the hearts of the believers.
|وَ فُضِّلْنَا بِأَنَّ مِنَّا النَّبِيَّ الْمُخْتَارَ مُحَمَّداً وَ مِنَّا الصِّدِّيقُ وَ مِنَّا الطَّيَّارُ وَ مِنَّا أَسَدُ اللهِ وَ أَسَدُ رَسُولِهِ وَ مِنَّا سِبْطَا هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ.
|And we were favoured by the fact that from among us came the Prophet Muhammad, the Siddiq, the Tayyar, The Lion of Allah and of His Prophet, the lady of both universes Fatima al-batool and both Masters of the Youths of Paradise from among this nation.
|مَنْ عَرَفَنِي فَقَدْ عَرَفَنِي وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفْنِي أَنْبَأْتُهُ بِحَسَبِي وَ نَسَبِي.
|O people! Whoever recognizes me knows me and whoever does not recognize me, let me tell him who I am, and to what family I belong: 
|أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنَا ابْنُ مَكَّةَ وَ مِنَى أَنَا ابْنُ زَمْزَمَ وَ الصَّفَا.
|O people! I am the son of Makka and Mina; I am the son of Zamzam and al-Safa; 
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ حَمَلَ الرُّكْنَ بِأَطْرَافِ الرِّدَا.
|I am the son of the one who carried the rukn on his mantle;
|أَنَا ابْنُ خَيْرِ مَنِ ائْتَزَرَ وَ ارْتَدَى. .
|I am the son of the best man who ever donned clothes
|أَنَا ابْنُ خَيْرِ مَنِ انْتَعَلَ وَ احْتَفَى
|I am the son of the best man who wears shoes and is proud of himself.
|أَنَا ابْنُ خَيْرِ مَنْ طَافَ وَ سَعَى.
|I am the son of the best man who ever made tawaf and sa’i,
|أَنَا ابْنُ خَيْرِ مَنْ حَجَّ وَ لَبَّى.
|I am the son of who offered the Hajj and pronounced the talbiya.
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ حُمِلَ عَلَى الْبُرَاقِ فِي الْهَوَاءِ.
|I am the son of the one who was transported on the buraq  
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ أُسْرِيَ بِهِ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى.
|I am the son of the Prophet who walked from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa in one night.
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ بَلَغَ بِهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَى.
|I am the son of the one who was taken by Gabriel to sidrat al-muntaha,
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ دَنا فَتَدَلَّى فَكانَ قابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنى‏.
|I am the son of the one who was near his Lord like the throw of a bow or closer still.
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ صَلَّى بِمَلَائِكَةِ السَّمَاءِ.
| I am the son of the one who led the angels of the heavens in prayers.
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ أَوْحَى إِلَيْهِ الْجَلِيلُ مَا أَوْحَى.
|am the son to whom the Mighty One revealed what He revealed. 
|أَنَا ابْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمُصْطَفَى أَنَا ابْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمُرْتَضَى.
|I am the son of the one who defended the Muhammad the chosen one and I am the son of Ali al-Murtada
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ ضَرَبَ خَرَاطِيمَ الْخَلْقِ حَتَّى قَالُوا لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ.
|
|أَنَا ابْنُ مَنْ ضَرَبَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ بِسَيْفَيْنِ وَ طَعَنَ بِرُمْحَيْنِ وَ هَاجَرَ الْهِجْرَتَيْنِ وَ بَايَعَ الْبَيْعَتَيْنِ وَ قَاتَلَ بِبَدْرٍ وَ حُنَيْنٍ وَ لَمْ يَكْفُرْ بِاللهِ طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ.
|I am the son of the one who defended the Messenger of Allah and fought alongside the Prophet with two swords and two spears. He emigrated twice and pledged allegiance twice and fought with the disbelievers at Badr and Hunayn and never disbelieved in Allah not even for as much as the twinkling of an eye.
|أَنَا ابْنُ صَالِحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ وَارِثِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ قَامِعِ الْمُلْحِدِينَ وَ يَعْسُوبِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
|I am the son of the best of believers and of the heir of the prophets, of the leader of the Muslims 
|وَ نُورِ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ وَ زَيْنِ الْعَابِدِينَ وَ تَاجِ الْبَكَّائِينَ وَ أَصْبَرِ الصَّابِرِينَ وَ أَفْضَلِ الْقَائِمِينَ مِنْ آلِ يَاسِينَ رَسُولِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
|the light of the mujahidin, the ornament of the worshippers, the crown of the weepers, the most patient of the patient, and the best of the steadfast from among the family of Yasin, and the Messenger of the Lord of the world’s inhabitants. 
|أَنَا ابْنُ الْمُؤَيَّدِ بِجَبْرَئِيلَ الْمَنْصُورِ بِمِيكَائِيلَ
|I am the son of the one who was backed by Gabriel, supported by Mikael.
|أَنَا ابْنُ الْمُحَامِي عَنْ حَرَمِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ قَاتِلِ الْمَارِقِينَ وَ النَّاكِثِينَ وَ الْقَاسِطِينَ.
|I am the son of the one who defended the Muslims, killed the oath breakers of allegiance and the unjust and the renegades, 
|وَ الْمُجَاهِدِ أَعْدَاءَهُ النَّاصِبِينَ وَ أَفْخَرِ مَنْ مَشَى مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ أَجْمَعِينَ
|struggled against his tiring enemies, the most excellent one of those who walked (to war) from among Quraysh,
|وَ أَوَّلِ مَنْ أَجَابَ وَ اسْتَجَابَ لِله وَ لِرَسُولِهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ أَوَّلِ السَّابِقِينَ وَ قَاصِمِ الْمُعْتَدِينَ وَ مُبِيدِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
|the first to respond to Allah from among the believers, the prior to all the previous ones, the breaker of the aggressors, the destroyer of the atheists,
|وَ سَهْمٍ مِنْ مَرَامِي اللهِ عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَ لِسَانِ حِكْمَةِ الْعَابِدِينَ
|an arrow from among the shooting-places of Allah against the hypocrites, the tongue of the wisdom of worshippers, 
|وَ نَاصِرِ دِينِ اللهِ وَ وَلِيِّ أَمْرِ اللهِ وَ بُسْتَانِ حِكْمَةِ الله وَ عَيْبَةِ عِلْمِهِ.
|the supporter of the religion of Allah, the protector of the affair of Allah, the garden of the wisdom of Allah, the container of the knowledge of Allah,
|سَمِحٌ سَخِيٌّ بَهِيٌّ بُهْلُولٌ زَكِيٌّ أَبْطَحِيٌّ رَضِيٌّ مِقْدَامٌ هُمَامٌ صَابِرٌ صَوَّامٌ مُهَذَّبٌ قَوَّامٌ.
|tolerant, generous, benevolent, pure, Abtahi, satisfied, easily satisfied, intrepid, gallant, patient, fasting, refined, steadfast, 
|قَاطِعُ الْأَصْلَابِ وَ مُفَرِّقُ الْأَحْزَابِ.
|the severer of the backbones, the scatterer of the allies,
|أَرْبَطُهُمْ عِنَاناً وَ أَثْبَتُهُمْ جَنَاناً وَ أَمْضَاهُمْ عَزِيمَةً وَ أَشَدُّهُمْ شَكِيمَةً أَسَدٌ بَاسِلٌ يَطْحَنُهُمْ فِي الْحُرُوبِ إِذَا ازْدَلَفَتِ الْأَسِنَّةُ وَ قَرُبَتِ الْأَعِنَّةُ طَحْنَ الرَّحَى وَ يَذْرُوهُمْ فِيهَا ذَرْوَ الرِّيحِ الْهَشِيمِ.
|the calmest of them, the best of them in giving free rein (to his horse), the boldest of them in tongue, the firmest of them in determination, the most powerful of them, a lion, brave, pouring rain, the one who destroyed them at the battles and dispersed them in the wind,
|لَيْثُ الْحِجَازِ وَ كَبْشُ الْعِرَاقِ مَكِّيٌّ مَدَنِيٌّ خَيْفِيٌّ عَقَبِيٌّ بَدْرِيٌّ أُحُدِيٌّ شَجَرِيٌّ مُهَاجِرِيٌّ.
| the lion of al-Hijaz, the possessor of the miracle, the ram of Iraq, the Imam through the text and worthiness, Makki, Madani, Abtahi, Tuhami, Khay‘ani, ‘Uqbi, Badri, Uhdi, Shajari, Muhajiri, 
|مِنَ الْعَرَبِ سَيِّدُهَا وَ مِنَ الْوَغَى لَيْثُهَا وَارِثُ الْمَشْعَرَيْنِ وَ أَبُو السِّبْطَيْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ.
|the Lord of the Arabs, the Lion of war, the inheritor of al-Mash‘arayn, the father of the two grandsons (of the Prophet) al-Hasan and al-Husayn,
|ذَاكَ جَدِّي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ
|such is my grandfather, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib”.
|ثُمَّ قَالَ:أَنَا ابْنُ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ أَنَا ابْنُ سَيِّدَةِ النِّسَاءِ
|Then the Imam said: “I am the son of Fatima, the best woman of the world.”
|انا ابنُ خَدیجهَ الکبری.
|I am the son of Khadija al-Kubra.
|انا ابن الحسين القتيل بكربلا، انا ابن المرمل بالدماء، انا ابن من بكى عليه الجن في الظلماء، انا ابن من ناح عليه الطيور في الهواء
|I am the son of the one who was slaughtered at Karbala, I am the son of the one with whose blood the sand mixed,  I am the son of the one for whom the jinns wept in the dark and for whom the birds in the air cried.”
|فَلَمْ يَزَلْ يَقُولُ أَنَا أَنَا حَتَّى ضَجَّ النَّاسُ بِالْبُكَاءِ وَ النَّحِيبِ.
|The Imam continued telling people about himself and his family and as their cries filled the place 
|وَ خَشِيَ يَزِيدُ لَعَنَهُ اللهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ. فَأَمَرَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ فَقَطَعَ عَلَيْهِ الْكَلَامَ.
|Yazid feared dissension and calamities arising, which he felt may all end badly. To avoid this problem Yazid signalled to the Mu'adhdhin (prayer caller) to call the Adhan for prayers and halt the Imam's speech.
|فَلَمَّا قَالَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ الله أَكْبَرُ اللهُ أَكْبَرُ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ لَا شَيْ‏ءَ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الله.
|The Mu'adhdhin shouted: Allah Akbar! The Imam said: “Allah is Greater, more Magnanimous and more Kind than what I fear and of what I avoid.”
|فَلَمَّا قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ شَهِدَ بِهَا شَعْرِي وَ بَشَرِي وَ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي.
|The prayer caller now shouted: “I bear witness that there is no god, but Allah”! He said, “Yes, I testify with my skin, hair, meat, blood, brain and bones that there is no god besides Him, nor any other Lord.” 
|فَلَمَّا قَالَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللهِ الْتَفَتَ مِنْ فَوْقِ الْمِنْبَرِ إِلَى يَزِيدَ فَقَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ هَذَا جَدِّي أَمْ جَدُّكَ يَا يَزِيدُ فَإِنْ زَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ جَدُّكَ فَقَدْ كَذَبْتَ وَ كَفَرْتَ وَ إِنْ زَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ جَدِّي فَلِمَ قَتَلْتَ عِتْرَتَهُ
|The caller shouted: I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger! The Imam turned to Yazid and asked him, “Is this Muhammad, the great Messenger of Allah, your grandfather or mine? If you say that he is yours, you are a liar and if you say that he is mine, then why did you kill his family?”
|قَالَ وَ فَرَغَ الْمُؤَذِّنُ مِنَ الْأَذَانِ وَ الْإِقَامَةِ وَ تَقَدَّمَ يَزِيدُ فَصَلَّى صَلَاةَ الظُّهْرِ.<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 45, p. 138.</ref>
|Then the Mu'adhdhin said the rest of the Adhan and Yazid came forward and prayed the noon prayer.
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== References ==
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