Chapter On Prohibition on Attributing to Allah What He Himself has not Done so

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-‘Abbass ibn Ma‘ruf from ibn abu Najran from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from Abd al-Rahim ibn ‘Utayk al-Qusayr who has said the following. “I wrote through ‘Abdal Malik ibn ’a‘yan to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). “In Iraq there are people who attribute to Allah forms and lines. If you consider it proper, may Allah take my soul in your service, please write for me the correct belief in the issue of the Oneness of Allah.” The Imam wrote for me, “May Allah grant you blessings. You have asked about the Oneness of Allah and the belief of the group before you. Exalted is Allah, to Who nothing is similar. He is All-hearing and All-seeing. Allah is above what certain people attribute to Him and analogize Him with His creatures and the lies of those who speak lies about Him. Note that the true doctrine in the Oneness of Allah is what is revealed in the Quran in about the attributes of Allah, the Almighty, the Exalted. Keep away from the belief in Allah, the Most High, all ideas that amount to ignoring His existence altogether and those that amount to analogizing Him with the creatures. Neither should His existence be negated nor should He be considered similar to anything. He, Allah, the Most High exists. Exalted is He and far above what is falsely attributed to Him. Do not exceed the limits of the Quran lest you go astray after the clear presentation of Truth.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya’qub ibn Ishaq al-Dabbiy from abu ‘Imran al-Armani from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hakam from Jabir who has said the following: “Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘There are people when remembering something from the Holy Quran or is mentioned before them they suffer a shock to the extent that even if their hands or legs are cut they do not realize.’ The Imam said, ‘Glory belongs to Allah. That is from Satan. That is not how believing people are described. It is only softening, tender feelings, a few tears and anxiety.’” Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Hassan from abu ‘Imran al-Armani from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hakam from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

1. Ali has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from al-Husayn ibn ‘Uthman from Darih who has said the following: “I heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, “Abu Sa’eed al-Khudriy, one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, was a straightforward person. He remained in dying condition for three days. His people gave him a bath and carried him to the place where he would say his prayers; then he died.’””

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘The first ever house built for people is that which is in Bakkah, the blessed and a guide for the worlds. In it there are signs which are very clear.’ (3:96-97) I asked, ‘What are these signs which are very clear?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One of them is the site where Ibrahim stood on the rock. His foot left a clear mark of it. Another sign is the Black Stone, and yet one more sign is the house of Isma‘il.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Hariz from Walid ibn Sabih from Abi Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following: “One who neglects marriage for fear of failure to feed his family has become distrustful of Allah.”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from abu Hamzah who has said that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn said to me, “O abu Hamzah, Allah cannot be defined by the created things. Our Lord is far above being described through the attributes. How can the infinite be defined by the finite? ‘ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’” (6:103)

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), has said that if dying and separation of body and soul becomes difficult for one, he should be placed where he would perform his Salah (prayer).”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Did you meet al-Husayn (a.s.) ?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, I remember when I was with him in the Sacred Masjid while the flood had entered it. People stood on the station of Ibrahim and those coming out said, “The flood has moved the station away,” and others when coming out said, “The station is in place.’” He (the Imam) said that he (al-Husayn) asked me, “O so and so, what do they say?” I replied, “I pray to Allah to keep you well. They are afraid and say, ‘The flood may have taken away the ‘station’” He (Imam al-Husayn) said, “Announce this, ‘Whatever Allah, most High, has made a banner (a light house), He does not take it away. So you must calm down.’” The place of the station as Ibrahim had designated was near the wall of the House, and it remained there until people of the time of ignorance moved it to the place where it is today. When the Holy Prophet liberated Makkah, he returned it to its original place where Ibrahim had placed it. It remained there until ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab took charge. He asked people, “Who among you knows the place of the station where it was before?” A man said, “I know it. I had taken its measurement on a belt and I have kept it with me.” He (‘Umar) said, “Bring it for me.” He brought it to him and he measured it, and then returned it to that place.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad and ‘Abd Allah sons of Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his financial condition. He (the Messenger of Allah) told him to become married and he did so after which he became affluent.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah, from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl, from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Do not go to the baby birds in their nests at night or to the birds during their sleep [until the morning].’ A man then asked, ‘What is during their sleep, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘Night is their sleep, so do not enter in its sleep until the morning. Do not go to the baby birds in their nests until its feathers grow to fly. When it flies then aim your bow at it and fix for it your net.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Khazzaz and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn they both have said the following. “We met Imam abu abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and stated to him that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) saw His Lord in the fashion of a full grown young man of thirty years and added that Hisham ibn Salim and Sahib al-Taq and al-Maythami say that He is hallow down to His navel and the rest is solid. The Imam bowed down to a prostrating position and then said, ‘(O Lord), Glory belongs to you they have not recognized You nor have they acknowledged Your Oneness thus, they attribute to You such things. (O Lord, Glory belongs to You, had they recognized You they would have attributed to You what you yourself have attributed to Yourself and they would not have considered You similar to things other than You. O Lord, I do not attribute to You anything other than what You have attributed to Yourself and do not consider You similar to Your creatures. To You belongs all good. Do not place me among the unjust ones.’ The Imam (a.s.) then turned to us saying, “Whatever you may imagine (make Wahm of) consider Allah some thing other than it.” He continued, ‘We, people of the family of the Prophet (s.a.), are the middle type and the criteria. Those who exceed can not catch up with us and those who follow can not go ahead of us. O Muhammad, when the messenger of Allah looked at the greatness of his Lord he was of the type of people as fully grown up as thirty years old people. O Muhammad, my Lord, the Majestic, the Glorious, is far greater than to be of the qualities of the creatures.” The narrator has said that I said, “May the Lord take my soul for your service, who was the one with his feet in the green?” The Imam said, “He was Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) when looked at his Lord with his heart He placed him in the light like that of the Hujub so he can see what is inside the Hujub. Of the light of Allah some are green, red, white and others. O Muhammad whatever has confirmation in the book and the Sunnah we affirm it.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. Ali has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If dying becomes difficult for a person, you should place him in the place where he would perform his prayer.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Salih al-Sindiy from Ja’far ibn Bashir from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a young man from al-Ansar (people of al- Madinah) came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his needs. He (the Messenger of Allah) told him to become married. The young man said, “I feel shy to come to the Messenger of Allah to ask for help again.” A man from al-Ansar (people of al-Madinah) followed him and said, “I have a beautiful daughter.” He gave her in marriage to him. Allah granted increase in his sustenance. The young man came to the Holy Prophet, informed him of his condition and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, “You, the young people, must get married.’””

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from Misma‘ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, prohibited hunting birds during the night, saying that the night is sanctuary for them.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Bashir al-Barqi who has said that ‘Abbass ibn ‘Amir al-Qasbani who has said that Harun ibn al-Juham from abu Hamza from Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has reported the following. “Even if all those in heavens and earth would gather together to speak of the greatness of Allah they will not be able to do so.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban from Layth al-Muradiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abdullah (a.s.), has said that abu Sa’eed al-Khudriy, a person of God-given good point, faced difficulties when dying. He asked his people to place him where he would perform his prayers and when they did as they were told, he died shortly thereafter.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from abu ‘Abd Allah al-Jamuraniy from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamzah from al-Mu’min from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the truth in Hadith which people narrate that a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his financial condition. He (the Messenger of Allah) commanded him to get married. He married but then came to complain again. He (the Messenger of Allah) commanded him to get married and so on up to three times.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Yes, it (Hadith) is true.’ He (the Imam) then said, ’Sustenance is with women and with the dependents to feed.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. Sahl has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Hamdani who has said the following. “I wrote to the man (Imam abu al-Hassan the 3rd (a.s.) explaining, “Your followers in this city differ on the issue of the Oneness of Allah. Some of them say that Allah has a body, and others say that Allah has a form.” The Imam replied in his own handwriting, “Glory belongs to Allah, Who can not be defined nor described. There is nothing similar to Him. He is All-hearing, All-knowing, or the Imam said All-seeing.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Musa ibn al-Hassan from Sulayman al-Jafariy who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say to his son al-Qasim, ‘ Son, stand up and recite Surah thirty-seven (of the Holy Quran), near the head of your brother, to the end.’ Al-Qasim began to recite, when he reached the passage, ‘Is their creation more powerful or those whom We have created’ (37:11) the young man passed away. When his body was prepared for burial they came out and Ya’qub ibn Ja’far turned to him (the Imam) saying, ‘ We would rather recite Surah 36 and now you command us to recite Surah 37.’ The Imam said, “ Son, if one facing distress in dying condition recites it, Allah expedites relief for him.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith from al-Jamuraniy from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamzah from Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Tamimiy from Muhammad ibn Ja’far from his father from ancestors who has said the following: “He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who neglects marriage because of his fear to feed his dependents has become cynical about Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, who has said, “If they are poor Allah makes rich through His generosity.’”” (24: 32)

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

6. Sahl has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim from Muhammad ibn Hakim who has said the following. “Imam abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) wrote to my father, ‘Allah is far High, Glorious and Great than that one can reach the essence of His attribute. Speak of only those of His attributes of which He Himself has spoken and refrain from attributes other than those ones.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

6. It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith from Muhammad ibn Ali from Hamdwayh ibn ‘Imran from ibn abu Layla’ who has said that ‘Asem ibn Humayd narrated to me saying the following: “Once I was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came and complained before him (the Imam) about his financial conditions. He (the Imam) commanded him to get married but his needs became more pressing and he came back again to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who asked about his conditions. He replied that it has worsened. He (the Imam) told him to separate. The man came back again and he (the Imam) asked about his conditions. The man replied, ‘I have become affluent and my conditions are better.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘I commanded you as I did because of the two commandments with which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has commanded: “Marry the single ones among you and the virtuous of your slaves and slave-girls and if you are poor Allah through His generosity will make you self-sufficient.” (24:32) “If they depart each other Allah will make each one self-sufficient through His vast resources.” (4:129)’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

7. Sahl has narrated from al-Sindi ibn al-Rabi‘ from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hafs, brother of Marazim from al-Mufaddal who has said the “I asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about certain matters of the attributes (of Allah) and the Imam said, “Do not exceed what is in the holy Quran.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

7. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from certain persons of his people from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot find marriage must remain chaste until Allah through His generosity makes them self-sufficient,’ (24:33) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘They must become married so that (when) Allah makes them self- sufficient through His generosity.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

8. Sahl has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali al-Qasani (the right name is Ali ibn Muhammad, one of the companions of Imam abu al-Hassan al-Hadi, the tenth Imam (a.s.) who has said the following. “I wrote to the Imam explaining that people before us had differences on the issue of the Oneness of Allah.” The Imam wrote, “Glory belongs to Allah, Who can not be defined nor described. There is nothing similar to Him. He is All-hearing, All-seeing.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

9. Sahl has narrated from Bishr ibn Bashshar al-Nayshaburi who has said the following. “I wrote to the man (Imam) explaining that people before us had differences on the issue of the Oneness of Allah. There were people who said that Allah had a body, others said He had a form.” The Imam wrote for me, “Glory belongs to Allah, Who can not be defined nor described. There is nothing similar to Him. He is All-hearing, All-seeing.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

10. Sahl has said that I wrote to abu Muhammad al-Hassan al-‘Askari (a.s.) in 255 AH., “Our people (ashabuna) differ on the issue of the Oneness of Allah. There are those who say he has a body and others say He has a certain form. If you would consider to instruct me in this matter on which I would rely without excess it would be a great favor to your servant.” The Imam answered in his own handwriting, “You have asked about the Oneness of Allah. It is not your duty to find Allah’s self. Allah is One, the Only One. He has no children and is not anyone’s child. There nothing similar to Him. He is the Creator and is not created. He, the Most Holy, the Most High, creates whatever He wants of the bodies and non-bodies. He is not a body or a certain form. He gives form to whatever He wills but Himself is not a form, Majestic is His praise and Holy are His names and is far above being similar to other things. Only He, and not others, is the One to Who no one is similar and He is all-hearing and All-seeing.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

11. Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Rabi‘i ibn ‘Abdallah from al-Fudayl ibn Yasar, who has said the following. “I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah cannot be defined. How can He be defined when He Himself has said in His book, “They have not respected Allah the way He truly should have been respected.” (6:91) Therefore, He cannot be described in any way but that He is great and above that.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

12. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and others from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Ali ibn Ibrahim from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah is Great and High. People cannot describe Him nor can they reach the depth of His Greatness. ‘ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’” (6:103) He cannot be described by means of how and where. How can I describe Him by means of any condition? He Himself has created the conditions and how and so it came into being. We came to know conditions because of His designing them for us. How can I describe Him by means of space? It is He, Who spaced the space so it became space. I, thus, came to know space by means of what He has made it into space. How can I describe Him by means of positions when He Himself has given position to positions so it came into position. I, thus, came to know the position by means of what He has made to come into position. Allah, the Holy, the Most High, is in every place but is out of everything. ‘ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’” (6:103)

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.