Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Abu Hamzah who has said the following. Nafi’ ibn al-Azraq (ibn Qays al-Hanafi, Abu Rashid [d.65/685], the head of al-Azariqah — one of the great sects of the Kharijites) asked Imam abu Ja’ far (a.s.). “Please tell me when did Allah come into existence?” The Imam replied, “(Tell me) when did Allah not exist, so that I would tell you when He came into existence. Glory belongs to Him, Who existed and will exist eternally. The One Self-sufficient, the Eternal, the Absolute, Who has not held for Himself no female companion or any child.”

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 Ali ibn Asbat from certain persons of his people who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that visit is not necessary for one’s illness of eyes, also not before every three days, unless needed in which case it should take place with a one-day interval in between. If an illness prolongs, then the patient is left in the care of his family.”

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 ibn ‘Uthaman 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, ‘The best of women who ever rode a camel on their wedding to the house of their husband are the women of Quraysh who are most compassionate to their children and are the best of them for their husband. 5 ”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Once, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a prey killed by stone or clay-ball; if it is edible. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it cannot be used for food. 5 ”

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

2. A group of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr who has said the following. A man from Ma Wara’ Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan (a.s.) replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did your Lord come into existence, how has He been and on what did He depend?” Imam Abul-Hassan (a.s.), replied, “Allah, the Blessed, the Almighty, is the space maker of space, Who Himself is not subject to the effects of any space. He is the maker of How and Himself is not subject to How. He is Self-sufficient with His own power.” The man stood up and kissed the head of the Imam (a.s.) and then said, “I testify that there is no god except Allah and Muhammad (s.a.) is the Messenger of Allah and that Imam Ali (a.s) is the successor of the Messenger of Allah and the Guardian and protector of what the Messenger of Allah has brought from Allah and that your forefathers are the leaders with divine authority and that you are a successor to them.”

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

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid and al-Husayn ibn Sa’id all from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya ibn ‘Imran al-Halabi from ‘Abd al-‘Ala’ Mawla ‘Ale (family) S’am from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A house wherein a Muslim reads the Holy Quran is looked upon by the inhabitants of heavens, just as the inhabitants of earth like to look at a shining star in the skies.’”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ’Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that duration of visiting a patient is as long as a baby- camel is given the chance to suckle the mother during milking the camel or as long as it takes to milk a camel.”

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 al-Barqiy from more than one person from Ziyad al-Qandiy from abu Waki‘ from abu Ishaq al-Sabi‘i from al-Harith al-A’war who has said the following: “‘Amir al-Mu’minin (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, ‘The best of your women are the women of Quraysh who are very kind to their husbands, most compassionate to their children, al-Majun with her husband and very reserved before the others . 5 We asked, ‘What is al- Majun ?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘It is the one who does not deny her husband . 555

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

2. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a prey killed with a stone or clay-ball; if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not edible.’”

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from al-Qasim-ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Abu Hamzah from abu Basir who has said the following. “A man came to Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) saying, ‘Tell me about your Lord. When did He come into existence?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Woe upon you! Such question is asked only about a thing that did not exist. My Lord, all Glory belongs to Him is and will be eternally. He lives and no How question applies to Him. He did not have any coming into existence and nor there was any being for His coming into being. This does not apply to Him because He is not subject to the effects of space. He was not in any thing or on any thing nor did He invent any space for His own space. He did not become stronger after making all things nor was weak before giving being to the beings. He was not lonely before His inventing all things. He is not similar to any thing that could be called a thing. He was also not without Kingdom before the creation and nor will He be without it after all things. He lives eternally without life and the powerful king before His invention of the things and He is an all powerful king after the creation of all things. To His existence no How or Where question is applicable. There is no limit for Him nor is He definable by analogy. He does not become old due to eternal living. He doe not become alarmed because of any thing but that all things are fearful of His (disappointment). He lived without newly emerging life. He is not a describable being or that could be limit with conditions or that would have a space to depend on. He does not have a place so that He can be considered as neighboring something. He is living and one can know Him. He is the eternal King. He has the power and the kingdom. He has created all that He wanted and when He decided by His will. He can not be limited. He can not be divided or destroyed. He was before everything but no How question would apply to Him. He will be the last but no Where will apply to Him. All things will be destroyed except He. The creation belongs to Him and His is the command. He is the Holy Lord of the worlds. O inquirer, imaginations can not encompass my Lord and He does not face any confusions or bewilderment. Nothing is able to escape Him and nothing happens to Him. He can not be held responsible for anything and He does not become regretful. Neither slumber nor sleep overcomes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth and all that is between them and under the soil.

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Musa ibn al-Hassan from al-Fadl ibn ‘Amir abu al-‘Abbass from Musa ibn al-Qasim who has said that abu Zayd said to me the following: “A servant of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.), informed me that once one of the followers of the Imam became ill and we went to visit him. We were a group of the followers of Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.). He (the Imam) met us at a distance on the way and asked, ‘Where are you going?’ We replied, ‘We like to visit so and so patient.’ He said, ‘Wait.’ We waited. He asked, ‘Is there with any of you some apple, pears, peaches or a measure of perfumes or fragrance like ‘Ud or bakhur?’ We replied, ‘We do not have any such things with us.’ The Imam then said, ‘You should know that a patient feels relieved when something is presented to him.’”

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

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu Basir who has said the following: “One of the two Imam, (abu Ja 5 far or abu ‘Abd Allah) (a.s.), has said, ‘When the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, proposed for marriage to ‘Umm Haniy daughter of abu Talib, she said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am a grieved widow and I have orphans in my lap, thus, the most suitable for you is a woman who is free . 5 The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘No women have ever ridden a camel on their wedding to the house of their husbands more compassionate to their children and caring for their husbands than the women of Quraysh .

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

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a prey killed with a stone or clay-ball; if it can be used for food. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not edible.’”

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

4. A group of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu‘ manner has said the following. “The Jews came to their chief Ra’sul-Jalut and said, ’This man, meaning thereby Imam Ali (a.s.), is a scholar. Come with us to ask him questions. They all came to Imam Ali (a.s.) but the Imam was in the castle (Government building). They waited till the Imam (a.s.) came out. Ra’sul-Jalut, said, “We have come to you with a question.” The Imam said, “O Jew, ask whatever you like.” He said, “I would like to ask you about your Lord. When did He come into existence?” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “(Allah) has always been without coming into being and without being a subject to a How question. He is eternal without quantity and quality. He was there without a Before. He is before every before without being before and without a beginning and end. The end falls short before Him and He Himself is the end of all ends.” Ra’sul-Jalut then said to his people, “Let us leave this place. This man knows more than what is said he knows.”

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

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Musa ibn Qadim from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that visiting of a patient is complete upon placing your hand over his arm (praying) and standing up quickly to leave; an unwise visiting of a patient is harder for him than the pain due to illness.”

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

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the prey killed with a stone or a clay-ball if it is edible. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not edible.’”

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

5. It is narrated, through the same chain of narrators and source, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr from abu al-Hassan al-Muwsali from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following. “One of the Jewish rabbis (hibr) came to Imam Ali (a.s.), and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, when did your Lord come into existence?’” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Bereft of you be your mother! When has Allah not been (in existence), so that it could be said when did He come into existence. My Lord existed before any before without being before. He is after every after, without being after. There is no finale destination or end for Him. All ends fall short before Him. He is the final destination of all goals.” He further asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, are you a prophet?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Hold it there. I am one of the slaves of Muhammad,(s.a.) the Messenger of Allah.” It has also been narrated that someone asked Imam Ali (a.s.) this. “Where was our Lord before the creation of the heavens and the earth?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Where is a question about space. Allah has been there before there was space.”

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

5. Humayd ibn Ziyad narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad from Sama‘ah from more than one person from Aban from abu Yahya who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Visit of a patient is complete when you place your hand on him when you meet him.’”

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

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from ibn abu Nasr from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin, from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Once, I asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah) (a.s.), about a prey. A stone or clay-ball kills it if it is edible. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not edible.’”

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

6. Ali ibn Muhammad from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ’Amr ibn ’Uthman from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Suma‘ah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following. “Ra’sul Jalut said to the Jews, ‘The Muslims consider Ali excelling everyone in polemics and the most learned. Let us go to him. I will ask him certain questions and perhaps catch him in errors.’” He went to the Imam (a.s.) and said, “O Amirul Mu’minin, I have a question about a matter.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ask about whatever you like.” He then asked, “O Amirul Mu’minin, when did our Lord come into existence?” Imam Ali replied, “O Jew, the question When applies to one who did not exist and (then) came into being. Allah has exists without coming into being, and without being in any becoming. Certainly, O Jew, most certainly, O Jew, how can there be any before for He Who was before the before. He does not have any destination. He is not the end of any destination and no destination ends up to Him. All destinations fall short before Him and He is the goal of all destinations.” The Jew then said, “I testify that your religion is the true religion and any thing against it is false.”

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

6. 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 that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Of the visitors who receive the greatest reward from Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, is one whose visiting time is short, unless the patient likes otherwise and asks him to stay for a longer time.’ He has also said, ‘A visit is complete when one places his hand over the other hand or upon his forehead (as an expression of concern).”’

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

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), disliked al-Julahiq (a kind of clay-ball).”

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

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated in a marfu‘ manner from Zurarah who has said that I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) this. “Did Allah exist when there was nothing?” The Imam replied, “Certainly, Allah existed when there was nothing.” I further inquired, “Where did Allah exist?” The Imam was leaning, he then sat up and said, “O Zurarah, you spoke of impossible. You ask about space where there is no space.”

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

7. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from ibn Faddal from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “About the case of a man who hits a prey with a stone or clay-ball and kills it; if he can use it for food, he (the Imam) said, ‘Do not eat it.’”

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

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from ibn Abu Nasr from Abul Hassan al-Muwsali who has narrated the following from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.): “A rabbi came to Imam Ali (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amirul Mu’minin, when did your Lord come into existence?’” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Consider carefully. The question when applies to one who did not exist (and then came into being). When does not apply to the One Who is eternal. He was before the before without before and after the after without an after. He is not the end of some end so that His end would also end.” He then asked, “Are you a prophet?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Bereft of you be your mother! I am a slave among the slaves of the Messenger of Allah (saww).”

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