Sermon of Gulf (Khutbah Tutunjiyyih)

Sermon of Gulf (Khutbah Tutunjiyyih)

What deeper realities did Imam Ali (ʿa) allude to when he declared, “I am the One who stands upon the Two Gulfs (al-Tutunjiyyayn, a symbolic reference to the boundaries of creation)”? Sermon of the Gulf (Khutbah Tutunjiyyih) presents a discourse in which Imam Ali (ʿa) uses cosmic imagery to describe his spiritual authority, rooted in Prophethood and the Imamate.

About the Book Attributed to Imam Ali (ʿa) in Kūfah, this sermon is striking for its vast metaphors of creation: the heavens established without pillars, the seas created in their vastness, and the earth spread under divine command. Within this vision, Imam Ali (ʿa) declares his role as inheritor of Prophetic guidance and custodian of divine knowledge. Preserved in Shia sources, the text remains a vivid portrait of his spiritual leadership and cosmic worldview.

What You Will Discover

• A sermon where Imam Ali (ʿa) frames his spiritual station through majestic imagery of creation.
• Exploration of the “Two Gulfs” as symbolic of the link between Prophethood and the Imamate, bridging the seen and unseen realms.
• Metaphors that convey theological depth and highlight the Imam’s role as guide and custodian of truth.
• A synthesis of theology and spiritual cosmology that invites reflection on divine order and human responsibility.

About the Author The sermon is attributed to Imam Ali (ʿa), Commander of the Faithful, though its attribution has been debated among scholars. Regardless of scholarly debate, it reflects the eloquence, depth, and spiritual vision associated with his legacy and the heritage of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa).

Who Is This Book For? This book is for students of Islamic mysticism, readers interested in the spiritual dimensions of leadership, and admirers of Imam Ali’s (ʿa) eloquence and enduring legacy.