Imam Ali (as) wished to speak of her and her actions in an indirect
manner to open the eyes of the people and therefore, the method which
he chose was to explain the religious rulings (ahkam-Shahr'i) which are
specific to women and the rulings highlighted the “limitations” and
“restrictions” in the rights and privileges of women and men and to
show us that they are not equal (in all areas of life – and that this too is
for a reason). Through this, he wanted to show the people that Àyesha
is the same as other women in these certain issues and to make them
question themselves as to why they should have followed her and
listened to her advice (over that of Allah i and the Noble Prophet. (1)
1
Written by the Translator
The sermon at a glance
As it has been mentioned in the discussion concerning the transmission
of this sermon (as seen below), Imam Ali delivered this sermon
after The Battle of the Camel (Al-Jamal) which took place in Basrah
(Iraq) in the year 656 CE/35 AH and the subsequent defeat of the army of
Àyesha b. Abi Bakr.
In this sermon, he reproaches women, and of course the meaning of
him ‘reproaching women’ are only those types of women who had
launched (such calculated) attacks - those who were responsible for
instigating The Battle of the Camel. Imam Ali referred to such
women as having a “deficiency” and it was because of this shortcoming
that they engaged in such detrimental activities. Therefore, he
reprimanded them and warned the believers to steer clear of their
inductions.
Arabic text of the sermon
مَعَاشِرَ النَّاسِ، إِنَّ النِّسَاءَ نَوَاقِصُ الْإِيمَانِ، نَوَاقِصُ الْحُظُوظِ، نَوَاقِصُ الْعُقُولِ: فَأَمَّا نُقْصَانُ إِيمَانِهِنَّ فَقُعُودُهُنَّ عَنِ الصَّلاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ فِي أَيَّامِ حَيْضِهِنَّ، وَأَمَّا نُقْصَانُ عُقُولِهِنَّ فَشَهَادَةُ امْرَأَتَيْنِ مِنْهُنّ كَشَهَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ الْوَاحِدِ، وَأَمَّا نُقْصَانُ حُظُوظِهِنَّ فَمَوَارِيثُهُنَّ عَلَى الْإِنْصَافِ مِنْ مَوارِيثِ الرِّجَالِ; فَاتَّقُوا شِرَارَ النِّسَاءِ، وَكُونُوا مِنْ خِيَارِهِنَّ عَلَى حَذَرٍ، وَلاَتُطِيعُوهُنَّ فِي المَعْرُوفِ حَتَّى لاَ يَطْمَعْنَ فِي المُنكَرِ.
O’ people! Women are ‘deficient’ in faith, ‘deficient’ in shares,
and ‘deficient’ in intelligence. In regards to the ‘deficiency’ in
their faith, it is their abstention from prayers and fasting
during their menstrual period. In regards to their ‘deficiency’
in their intelligence, it is because the evidence of two women is
equal to that of one man. As for the ‘deficiency’ of their shares,
it is because of their share of inheritance being half that of
men. So beware of the evils of women. Be on your guard even
from those of them who are (reportedly) good. Do not obey
them even in good things, so that they may not attract you to
evils things.
The Transmission of this Sermon
It is documented that this sermon is a portion of a letter which Imam
Ali wrote after Umro Às took over the reins of the rule of Egypt
after the martyrdom of Muhammad b. Abi Bakr. In that letter, the
Imam related the painful events which transpired after the passing
away of the Noble Prophet. The Imam ordered that his letter be
read publicly so that the masses would know what transpired and so
that the satanic whispers which were prevalent in the community at that
time would not impact the people.
It is not improbable to believe that the Imam spoke the words in
this sermon [which we will be reviewing] more than once - the first time
being after The Battle of Jamal – the war in which Àyesha played the
principle role as one of the leaders in that major act of sedition; and
that he repeated his words in another lengthy letter which he wrote.
Ibn al-Jawzi has stated:
The scholars of biography (sirah) have related that when Ali,
peace be upon him, had concluded The Battle of Jamal, he
ascended the pulpit in Basrah (Iraq) and delivered this sermon. In reality, his words point to the instigation for The Battle of Jamal and the misdeeds of Àyesha. (2)
As for those who have narrated this sermon before Sayyid al-Razi the
list includes Abu Talib al-Makki in his book, Quwwatul Qulub; the late
Shaykh al-Kulayni in volume five of Furu al-Kafi; Ibrahim b. Hilal al Thaqafi in his book al-Gharat; Ibne Qutyabah in his book al-Imamah
wal Siyasah; and al-Tabari in his book al-Mustarshid (with some
variations) – this list of references has been derived from Masadir
Nahjul Balagha, vol. 2, pg. 86.
Amongst the commentators on the text of Nahjul Balagha – specifically
the contemporary writers – much has been said in regards to the
explanation of this sermon, and it is for this reason that we begin with
the following introduction to ensure that the discussions in regards to
this sermon are made clear.
During the course of history, the character of the woman has gone
through much discussion and many extreme things have been stated as
pass judgement on women. Sometimes their status as a human being
has been diminished, and at other times, their very nature of being
considered a human being has been called into doubt! (3)
___________________________________________________________
2 - Note that what Ibn al-Jawzi has stated and that which Sayyid al-RaÐi have
stated in regards to the delivery of this sermon differ from one another.
3 - Refer to the following passes of the Old and New Testament (Bible) - [added
by the translator]:
Burn The Daughter: “And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by
playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire.”
(Leviticus 21:9)
Cut Off Her Hand: “When men strive together one with another and the wife
of the one draweth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her.” (Deuteronomy 25:11-
12)
Female Births Get Penalty: “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a
woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean
seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she
be unclean.” (Leviticus 12:2) … “But if she bear a maid (female) child, then she
shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the
blood of her purifying threescore and six days.” (Leviticus 12:5)
Female Inferiority: “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is
Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
(I Corinthians 11:3)
Female Inferiority: “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the
man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the
man.” (I Corinthians 11:8-9)
Jesus Will Kill Children: “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and they that
commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their
deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know
that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every
one of you according to your works.” (Revelation 2:22-23)
Kill The Witches: “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Whoever lieth with a
beast shall surely be put to death. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save to the
LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” (Exodus 22:18-20)
Rape My Daughter: “Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his
concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them
what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. But the
men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought
her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the
morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.” (Judges 19:24-25)
Silence The Woman: “Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But
I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be
in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived,
but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” (I Timothy 2:11-14)
Stone The Woman: “If a man be found lying with a woman married to a
husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;” (Deuteronomy
22:22) Stone The Woman: “Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that
city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she
cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his
neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.” (Deuteronomy
22:24)
Wives, Submit Yourselves: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as
the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in
everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)
Women Shall Not Speak: “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for
it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask
their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” (I
Corinthians 14:34-35)
Women’s Sorrow: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow
and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire
shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Genesis 3:16)
Rip Up Pregnant Women: “Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath
rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be
dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.” (Hosea 13:16)
The Wicked Woman - Part 1: “Give me any plague, but the plague of the
heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman.” (Eccles. 25:13)
The Wicked Woman - Part 2: “Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and
through her we all die.” (Eccles. 25:22)
The Wicked Woman - Part 3: “If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut
her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.” (Eccles. 25:
26)
The Wicked Woman - Part 4: “The whoredom of a woman may be known in
her haughty looks and eyelids. If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in
straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty.” (Eccles. 26:9-10)
The Wicked Woman - Part 5: “A silent and loving woman is a gift of the
Lord: and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. A
shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind
cannot be valued.” (Eccles. 26:14-15)
The Wicked Woman - Part 6: “A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog;
but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.” (Eccles.26:25)
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