Sermon 81: O people, zuhd lies in ...

About Abstinence

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ،

O people!

الزَّهَادَةُ قِصَرُ الاْمَلِ،

Abstinence (zuhd) is to shorten desires,

وَالشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ النِّعَمِ،

to thank for bounties

والورعُ عِنْدَ الْـمَحَارِمِ،

and to keep away from what is prohibited.

فَإِنْ عَزَبَ ذلِكَ عَنْكُمْ فَلاَ يَغْلِبِ الْحَرَامُ صَبْرَكُمْ،

If (all of) this is not possible then (at least) what is prohibited should not overpower your patience;

وَلاَ تَنْسَوْا عِنْدَ النِّعَمِ شُكْرَكُمْ،

and do not forget gratitude when receiving blessings

فَقَدْ أَعْذَرَاللهُ إِلَيْكُمْ بِحُجَجٍ مُسْفِرَةٍ ظَاهِرَةٍ،

For Allah has exhausted the excuses before you through clear,

وَكُتُبٍ بَارِزَةِ الْعُذْرِ وَاضِحَةٍ.

shining arguments and open, bright books.

 

Alternative Sources for Sermon 81:  Al-Saduq, Ma’ani al-'akhbar, 251; Idem., al-Khisal, I, 11; al-Barqi, al-Mahasin, 234; al- 'Amidi, Ghurar, 119; al-Fattal, Rawdah, 434; al-Tabarsi, Mishkat,106.