Sermon of Imam al-Sajjad (a) in Levant: Difference between revisions

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}}

'''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.

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>

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>

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>