Chapter On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)

1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Ali ibn abu Hamzah, who has said the following. “I stated before abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that I have heard Hisham ibn al-Hakam quoting you that Allah is a body of Self-subsisting nature and is from light. He can very clearly be recognized and He bestows such knowledge to whoever among His creatures He wills.” The Imam said, “Glorious is He, Whom no one knows how He is except He Himself. There is no one similar to Him and He is All-hearing, All-seeing. He cannot be limited, nor can He be felt or touched or moved. Eyes cannot see Him nor any of the senses can comprehend Him. He cannot be contained in anything, nor has He any body or form or figure or confine.”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Can I read the Holy Quran in one night?’ The Imam said, ‘I do not like your reading it in less than a month’s time.’”

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 Ibrahim al-Shu’ayriy and more than one person who has said the following: “Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that facing a dying person toward Qiblah is turning his face in that direction such that the undersides of his feet point toward Qiblah.”

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

1. Muhammad ibn ‘Aqil has narrated from al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn Yazid aI-Rifa’ ‘iy who in a marfu‘ manner has narrated from ’Amir al-Mu’minin the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin was asked about staying on the hill, why it is not inside the Sacred area (al- Haram)?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is because al-Ka‘bah is His house and al-Haram (the sacred area) is its door. When people wanted to come to His House, He made them stand, wait at the door and appeal for permission.’ It was asked from him, ‘Why is al-Mash‘ar al-Haram part of al-Haram?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is because when permission was given to come, He made them to stop on the second barrier but when their pleading prolonged, permission was granted to them to move their offerings closer. When they cleaned themselves with it, they became clean of sins, which were as barriers between them, and He granted permission to visit (His House) in a clean condition.’ It was then asked, ‘Why is fasting during the bright days not permissible?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is because people are Allah’s visitors, they are His guests and it is not nice for a host that his guests remain fasting.’ He was asked, ‘Why should one hold to the curtains of al-Ka‘bah and what does it mean?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is like one who has committed a crime against another person; thus he holds to his clothes and expresses humility before him to forgive him his sins and crime.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Nawfafiy from af-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, The best intercession and mediation is that between two people until Allah unites them in marriage.’”

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 Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about catching fish without a mention of the name of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful.’”

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

Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Hamzah ibn Muhammad who has said the following. “I wrote to Imam abu al-Hassan (al-Thalith 3rd (a.s.) asking about the body and form (of Allah). He wrote in reply, ‘Glorious is He similar to Who there is nothing. He is not a body nor has He any form.’” This Hadith has also been narrated by Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah without giving the name of the person (from whom he has heard).

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

2. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn abu Hamzah from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a dying person. He said, ‘Make the undersides of his feet face toward Qiblah.’ ”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Safwan or a man from Safwan from ibn Bukayr from his father who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Al-Muzdalifah had more insects than other lands of Allah. On the night of al-Tarwiyah, it was announced from Allah, ‘O insects, move away from where delegations to Allah are about to pass.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The insects move in the hills in a way that they are not seen. When al-Hajj (pilgrims) return, they come back.’”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who arranges a marriage for an unmarried person is of those to whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, will look on Day of Judgment.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from al-Mufaddal ibn Salih from Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about catching fish without a mention of the name of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful if it is alive when he catches it.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘ from Muhammad ibn Zayd who has said the following. “I went to Imam al-Rida (a.s.) to ask about the Oneness of Allah (God). The Imam dictated to me thus, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, Who is the originator of all things. He is the inventor of all things, an invention that came from His power and wisdom but not from a thing so it would invalidate the invention and not from a cause so it would invalidate the novelty. He created whatever He wanted and howsoever He liked. He alone did all this to manifest His Wisdom and the truth of His Providence. Intelligence cannot comprehend Him, (Awham) imagination cannot reach Him, eyes cannot see Him and measurements cannot confine Him. The power of expression is unable to express Him in words. All sights are exhausted from reaching Him and the power of describing and defining have gone astray in its description and definition of His-self. He is hidden without any veil and is concealed without any covering. He is known without being seen; described without any form, and praised without any body. There is no god, except Allah, the Great, the Most High.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn al-Nu’Man from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb from Husayn ibn Khalid who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘In how many days should one complete reading the Holy Quran?’ The Imam said, ‘You may read it in five or seven days. I, however, have a copy of the Holy Quran that is divided into fourteen parts.’”

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

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When any of you dies prepare his body (facing) toward Qiblah. Also, when giving the body a bath a place should be prepared for this purpose where the bottoms of his feet face the direction of Qiblah.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn Sayabah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about fish which is caught, then placed in something but it returns into the water and dies in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not use it for food.”’

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

4. Muhammad ibn Abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from those he mentioned from Ali ibn al-‘Abbass from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Muhammad ibn Hakim. He has said that I explained to abu Ibrahim (Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.), the words of Hisham ibn Salim al-Jawaliqi and the words of Hisham ibn al-Hakam that say Allah is a body. The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most High, is not similar to any of the things. What can be more blasphemous and scandalous than to describe the Creator of all things by means of body, form, type of creation, limitations, limbs and organs. Allah, the Most High, the Great, is far above these things.”

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

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Yahya ibn Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from his father from Ali ibn al- Mughirah who has said the following: “Once I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) ‘My father once asked your grandfather about reading all of the Holy Quran in one night.’ ‘(Do you mean it to happen) every night?’ Your grandfather inquired. ‘Yes, in the month of Ramadan.’ My father replied. Your grandfather asked him, ‘In the month of Ramadan?’ My father said, ‘Yes, in the month of Ramadan if I could. ’ My father would read the Holy Quran forty times in the whole month of Ramadan. After my father I would read the Holy Quran sometimes more and sometimes less than he did, as I would get a chance within my work, activities and laziness. On ’id day (after the month of Ramadan) I would assign the reward for reading the Holy Quran once for the Holy prophet, one for Imam Ali, one for Al-Sayyidah Fatimah and one for each Imam until yourself and I assigned the reward for reciting the Holy Quran once for you from the time I am doing this. Will there be anything for me in this? The Imam said, ‘On the Day of Judgment, you will be with them.’ ‘Allah is greater than can be described, this much for me!’ I exclaimed. The Imam (a.s.) said three times, ‘Yes.’”

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

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who catches fish, then ties it to a string, then sends it in the water where it dies; if he can use it for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he must not use it for food.’”

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

5. Ali ibn Muhammad, in a marfu‘ manner, has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Faraj al-Rukhkhaji who said: “I wrote to Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about the words of Hisham ibn al-Hakam about the body, and the words of Hisham ibn Salim about the form (of Allah). He wrote in reply, ‘Remove from yourself the confusion of the confounded people and seek refuge from Allah against Satan. The (correct) position is not what the two Hishams have said.’”

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

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following: “Once, abu Basil’ asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when I was also present, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I read the Holy Quran in one night?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No,’ until he reached six nights, the Imam (a.s.) made a hand gesture saying ‘Ha’ a,’ (a hint for approval). Then the Imam (a.s.) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, note that among the companions of Muhammad (a.s.) before you, there were those who would read the Holy Quran once in a month or less. The Holy Quran is not read in a big rush but it is read with proper elocution and distinct pronunciation. When you come across a verse that speaks of the fire you pause and ask Allah for protection.’ Abu Basir then asked, ‘Can I read the Holy Quran in the month of Ramadan once every night?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in three nights?’ The Imam said, ‘Ha’ a, ’ with a hand gesture for approval saying, ‘Yes, the month of Ramadan is not like the other months. It has its rights and respect. Increase in prayer as much as you can.’”

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

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about fishing by Zoroastrian and Jews by means of fishing nets without a mention of the name of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful, fishing is to catch it alive.’”

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

6. 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 ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah from Muhammad ibn Ziyad who has said the following. “I heard Yunus ibn Zabyan saying, ‘I went to meet abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), and said, “Hisham ibn al-Hakam has uttered monstrous words. I will briefly mention a few words. He thinks Allah has a body because things are of two types; (a) body and (b) the acts. It is not possible for the Creator Himself to be just actions or functions. But it is possible to consider Him as the agent.” Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) then said, ‘That is not proper from him. Does he not know that the body has limits and the form has limits and an end? Whatever is subject to limitations is also subject to increase and reduction and such things are created.’ I then asked, “What then I should say?” He replied, ‘Allah is without body and form. He is the giver of body to all bodies and the giver of form to all forms. He can not be divided or limited. He does not grow or decrease. If it were as they say, then there would have been no difference between the Creator and the created, the inventor and the invented. But He is the Creator and the inventor. He has made the distinction and differentiation between that to which He has given body, form and that which He has invented. This is because nothing is similar to Him nor He resembles anything.’”

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

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the fish caught by Zoroastrians. He (the Imam) said that Ali (a.s.), would say, ‘Fish and locusts are clean (slaughtered properly).”’

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

7. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from Ali ibn al-‘Abbass from al-Hassan ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Hammani who has said the following. “I said to abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Hisham ibn al-Hakam claims that Allah is a body like unto Whom there is no one. He is All-knowing, All-hearing, All-seeing, All-powerful. He speaks and reasons. His word, His power, His knowledge are all in one. No one of them is created.’” The Imam said, “May Allah be his foe. Does he not know that the body is limited, and that the speech is other than what the speaker is? I seek refuge from Allah and I disclaim such words. Allah does not have a body, form or any kind of limitations. Allah has created everything. He creates things as and when He wills without any word or planing in the mind or utterance of the tongue.”

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

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban from Salmah abu Hafs who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali (a.s.), about catching fish would say, ‘When a man catches fish and it struggles, hits with its fins, moves its back fins and looks with its eyes, this is its properly slaughtering.’”

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

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Iisa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn Hakim who has said the following. “I mentioned to abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (the first) (a.s.), the statements of Hisham al-Jawaliqi and what he says about fully grown up young man (see Hadith 3 Chapter on prohibited Attributes). I also mentioned the statements of Hisham ibn al-Hakam in this matter.” The Imam said, “Allah, certainly, is not similar to any thing.”

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

8. Aban has narrated from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the hunting by Zoroastrians. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful, if he gives it to you alive as well as the fish also, otherwise, their testimony is not acceptable unless you witness its being fished alive.’”

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

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the fishing by Zoroastrian by means of fishing nets and with a mention of the pagan consecration expressions. He (the Imam) said, ‘Their fishing is not unlawful; fishing is catching them (alive).’ I then asked about a barricade of reeds with water in it for fish. Fish enters it and certain ones of them die in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not unlawful; the barricade is set for fishing.’”

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

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from fadalah from al-Qasim ibn Burayd from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “It is the case of a man who sets a fishing net in water, then returns home leaving the net in water when thereafter he comes back he finds fish caught in it but they are dead. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is what his hands have done. It is not unlawful and he can use what is in it for food.’”

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

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-‘Amrakiy ibn Ali from Ali ibn Ja‘far from his brother, Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.), who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a fish that jumps out of the canal and lands on the side and it then dies: if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you pick it up before it dies you can use it for food but if it dies before you pick it up, then do not use it for food.’”

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

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali (a.s.), was asked about fish inside which another fish is found. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can use both of them for food.’”

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

13. Al-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘It is not unlawful to use for food the fish which is caught by Zoroastrians.’”

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

14. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufiy from al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Amir from Aban from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who catches a fish and finds another fish inside it. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can use both of them for food.’”

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

15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I heard my father saying, “If a man sets a fishing net whatever is caught in it dead or alive is lawful for food, except that which does not have scales and the dead fish floating on the water.’””

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

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ya‘qub ibn Yazid from Ahmad ibn al-Mubarak, from Salih ibn ‘A‘yan from al-Washsha’ from Ayyub ibn ‘A‘yan who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. What do you say about a snake that has swallowed a fish then has thrown it out and it still is alive and struggling; if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘If its scales are peeled off then do not use it for food; but if it is not peeled off you can use it for food.’”

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

17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Musa from al-‘ Abbas ibn Ma’ruf from Marwak ibn ‘Ubayd from Sama‘ah ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin prohibited a man’s fishing on Fridays before Salat (prayer). He (a.s.), would go to the fish market on Fridays and prohibit them from fishing on Fridays before Friday Salat (prayer).”’

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

18. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), mentioned fish which floats on water and what people dislike. He (the Imam) said, ‘The fish floating on the water are disliked because their smell has changed.’”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from Ali ibn Hamza who has said the following: “Once I went in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) and abu Basir said to the Imam, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I read the Holy Quran in one night in the month of Ramadan?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in three nights?’ The Imam said, ‘Haa’ pointing with his hand meaning, “yes, you can.” The Imam then said, ‘O abu Muhammad, for the month of Ramadan there is respect and rights which is unlike the other months. Among the companions of Muhammad (a.s.) there were those who would read the Holy Quran in one month or less. The Holy Quran is not read in a big rush. It should be read with proper elocution and distinct pronunciations. When you come across a verse that speaks of paradise you should pause and ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to give it to you and when you come across a verse that speaks of the fire, pause and seek protection with Allah against it.’”

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