The excuses are amiss like that of a debtor unwilling to pay. The ignoble cannot ward off oppression. Right cannot be achieved without effort. Which is the house besides this one to protect? And with which leader (Imam) would you go for fighting after me?
By Allah! Deceived is one whom you have deceived while, by Allah, he who is successful with you receives only useless arrows! You are like broken arrows thrown over the enemy. By Allah! I am now in the position that I neither confirm your views nor hope for your support, nor challenge the enemy through you. What is the matter with you? What is your ailment? What is your cure? The other party is also men of your shape (but they are so different in character). Will there be talk without action, carelessness without piety and greed in things not right? !1
(1) Al-Jahiz, al-Bayan, I, 170;
(2) Ibn Qutaybah, al-'Imamah, I, 150;
(4) al-Baladhuri, Ansab, II, 380;
(7) al-Tusi, al-'Amali, I, 112;
(8) al-Thaqafi, al-Gharat, II, 483;
(9) al-Mufid, al-'Irshad, * 158;
(10) al-Kulayni, al-Kafi.