O you who are neglectful—who themselves are not neglected—or you who forsake yet are not to be forsaken! How surprising it is to see you turning away from Allah, moving eagerly toward others! It is as if you are camels whose herdsman has driven them to a destructive pasture and a deadly water-source, or like sheep led to be slaughtered, unaware of the intent behind their being treated well. Their only concern is to enjoy their days and eat their fill. By Allah! If I wished, I could tell each one of you where he came from, where he is headed, and every detail of his situation—but I fear you would reject me in favor of the Prophet himself. Still, I do confide such things to chosen friends whose misguidance I do not worry about. By Him who sent the Prophet with truth and preferred him above creation, I am telling you the truth: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) informed me about all these matters, about the fate of the destroyed and the salvation of the saved, and the outcome of this (succession), and nothing that will come to pass has been withheld from my ears. O people! By Allah, I never urge you toward any obedience but that I precede you in it; nor do I forbid you from any disobedience but that I abstain from it before you.