In response to Muawiya

Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 2|Chapter 28
Nahj al-Balāgha

Book 2, Chapter 28

In response to Muawiya

وَزَعَمْتَ أَنِّي لِكُلِّ الْخُلَفَاءِ حَسَدْتُ، وَعَلَى كُلِّهِمْ بَغَيْتُ، فَإِنْ يَكُنْ ذلِكَ كَذلِكَ فَلَيْسَ الْجِنَايَةُ عَلَيْكَ، فَيَكُونَ الْعُذْرُ إِلَيْكَ. «وَتِلْكَ شَكَاةٌ ظَاهِرٌ عَنْكَ عَارُهَا.»
You think that I have been jealous of every caliph and have revolted against them. Even if this be so, it is not an offence against you and therefore no explanation is due to you. “This is a matter for which no blame comes to you”.