Faith & Belief

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ‌ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌[3] يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَ نَصَرَ النّ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said to me the following, ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason (intelligence) and understanding in His book in the following words, “Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good wo

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دِعَامَةُ الْإِنْسَانِ الْعَقْلُ وَ الْعَقْلُ مِنْهُ الْفِطْنَةُ وَ الْفَهْمُ وَ الْحِفْظُ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ بِالْعَقْلِ يَكْمُلُ وَ هُوَ دَلِيلُهُ وَ مُبْصِرُهُ وَ مِفْتَاحُ أَمْرِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ تَأْيِيدُ عَقْلِهِ مِنَ النُّورِ كَانَ عَالِماً حَافِظاً ذَاكِراً فَطِناً فَهِماً فَعَلِمَ بِذَلِكَ كَيْفَ وَ لِمَ وَ حَيْثُ وَ عَرَفَ مَنْ نَصَحَهُ وَ مَنْ غَشَّهُ فَإِذَا عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ عَرَفَ

“Intelligence is the support for man. From Intelligence come insightfulness, understanding, memory and knowledge; and with Intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his affairs. When his Intelligence is supported with light, he becomes a scholar, a keeper (of knowledge),

الْعَقْلُ دَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ.

“Intelligence (al-'Aql) is the guide of a believer.”

لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ إِلَّا قِلَّةُ الْعَقْلِ‌[1] قِيلَ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَرْفَعُ رَغْبَتَهُ‌[2] إِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ فَلَوْ أَخْلَصَ نِيَّتَهُ لِلَّهِ لَأَتَاهُ‌[3] الَّذِي يُرِيدُ فِي أَسْرَعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.

“There is nothing (or no difference) between belief and disbelief, but lack of intelligence." So he asked him, “How is that so oh son of Rasulullah (sw)?”. He replied, "Indeed, when a servant raises his desire to a creation, if he had sincerely intended it for Allah, the one he seeks would respond even faster than that

إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْفَقِيهُ ثُلِمَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ ثُلْمَةٌ لَا يَسُدُّهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“When a believer who is a Faqih dies, it causes irreparable damage in the Islamic system."

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ بِقَاعُ الْأَرْضِ‌[1] الَّتِي كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُصْعَدُ فِيهَا بِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ ثُلِمَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ ثُلْمَةٌ لَا يَسُدُّهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ لِأَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْفُقَهَاءَ حُصُونُ الْإِسْلَامِ كَحِصْنِ سُورِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَهَا.

“(Imam) abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When a true believer dies the angels and the parts of earth where he worshipped Allah weep because of his death. Also the doors of the heavens through which his good deeds had been taken up weep and it causes an irreparable damage in the Islamic system. It is beca

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ عَمَلًا إِلَّا بِمَعْرِفَةٍ وَ لَا مَعْرِفَةَ إِلَّا بِعَمَلٍ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ دَلَّتْهُ الْمَعْرِفَةُ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ فَلَا مَعْرِفَةَ لَهُ أَلَا إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ بَعْضُهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ.

“Allah does not accept a deed without good understanding and proper understanding does not come into being without work. One who achieves proper understanding it will guide him to good deeds and one who does not work will not have any understanding. Is it not a fact that parts of faith comes from other parts?”

قُلْتُ لَهُ بِمَ يُعْرَفُ النَّاجِي قَالَ مَنْ كَانَ فِعْلُهُ لِقَوْلِهِ مُوَافِقاً فَأَثْبَتَ‌[1] لَهُ الشَّهَادَةَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِعْلُهُ لِقَوْلِهِ مُوَافِقاً فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مُسْتَوْدَعٌ‌[2].

The Imam replied, “One whose words agree with his deeds you must consider his testimony as valid and one whose words do not agree with his deeds (if he may have faith) it is temporarily.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الْإِيمَانِ الْعِلْمُ وَ نِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الْعِلْمِ الْحِلْمُ وَ نِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الْحِلْمِ الرِّفْقُ وَ نِعْمَ وَزِيرُ الرِّفْقِ الصَّبْرُ[4].

“The holy Prophet has said, ‘The best minister for faith is knowledge, the best minister for knowledge is forbearance, the best minister for forbearance is amicable dealings and the best minister for amicable dealings is patience.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ وَ عِنْدَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ الْأَعْمَى وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَ الْبَصْرِيَّ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ الْعِلْمَ يُؤْذِي رِيحُ بُطُونِهِمْ أَهْلَ النَّارِ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَهَلَكَ إِذَنْ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ مَا زَالَ الْعِلْمُ مَكْتُوماً مُنْذُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نُوحاً ع فَلْيَذْهَبِ الْحَسَنُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا فَوَ

The Imam said, “The true believer of the people of Pharaoh is then destroyed. Knowledge from the time of Noah became veiled (s.a). Let Hassan go left and right. I swear by Allah he will not find knowledge in no other place but here with us.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ عِنْدَ كُلِّ بِدْعَةٍ تَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِي يُكَادُ بِهَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلِيّاً مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي مُوَكَّلًا بِهِ يَذُبُّ عَنْهُ يَنْطِقُ بِإِلْهَامٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ يُعْلِنُ الْحَقَّ وَ يُنَوِّرُهُ وَ يَرُدُّ كَيْدَ الْكَائِدِينَ يُعَبِّرُ عَنِ الضُّعَفَاءِ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ وَ تَوَكَّلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said that the holy Prophet has said, ‘It is certain that against every innovation with plots to destroy faith there will be an (religious) authority from my family as guardian of faith and as its defender. (Such) authority will speak on inspiration from Allah to declare the truth and bring it to l

قُلْتُ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ مِنْ سَلْمَانَ وَ الْمِقْدَادِ وَ أَبِي ذَرٍّ شَيْئاً مِنْ تَفْسِيرِ الْقُرْآنِ وَ أَحَادِيثَ عَنْ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ص غَيْرَ مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ ثُمَّ سَمِعْتُ مِنْكَ تَصْدِيقَ مَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهُمْ وَ رَأَيْتُ فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ أَشْيَاءَ كَثِيرَةً مِنْ تَفْسِيرِ الْقُرْآنِ وَ مِنَ الْأَحَادِيثِ عَنْ نَبِيِّ اللَّهِ ص أَنْتُمْ تُخَالِفُونَهُمْ فِيهَا وَ تَزْعُم

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hishim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from Aban ibn abu ‘Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali who has said the following. “I said to Imam Ali (a.s.), ‘I have heard from Salman, al-Miqdad and abu Dhar certain matters about the interpretations of

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اخْتَلَفَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ دِينِهِ فِي أَمْرٍ كِلَاهُمَا يَرْوِيهِ أَحَدُهُمَا يَأْمُرُ بِأَخْذِهِ وَ الْآخَرُ يَنْهَاهُ عَنْهُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فَقَالَ يُرْجِئُهُ‌[2] حَتَّى يَلْقَى مَنْ يُخْبِرُهُ فَهُوَ فِي سَعَةٍ حَتَّى يَلْقَاهُ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى بِأَيِّهِمَا أَخَذْتَ مِنْ بَابِ التَّسْلِيمِ وَسِعَكَ‌[3].

“I asked (Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about a man who was opposed by two people of his own faith in an issue that they both narrated. One of them said it to be obligatory and the other said it was prohibited. How it can be solved?” The Imam replied, “He must wait until he finds one who would inform him and until then he

قَالَ لِي هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ كَانَ بِمِصْرَ زِنْدِيقٌ تَبْلُغُهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْيَاءُ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لِيُنَاظِرَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَادِفْهُ بِهَا وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ خَارِجٌ بِمَكَّةَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَصَادَفَنَا وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي الطَّوَافِ وَ كَانَ اسْمُهُ عَبْدَ الْمَلِكِ وَ كُنْيَتُهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَضَرَبَ

“Hisham ibn al-Hakam has reported that in Egypt there lived a heretic who had heard about Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a great deal. He traveled to Medina to debate the Imam but he missed to find the Imam therein. He was told that the Imam has traveled to the city of Makkah. He then left for Makkah and we were with Abu ‘Abdill

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ الْمُتَطَبِّبِ فَقَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِي قَالَ كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي الْعَوْجَاءِ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُقَفَّعِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَقَالَ ابْنُ الْمُقَفَّعِ تَرَوْنَ هَذَا الْخَلْقَ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى مَوْضِعِ الطَّوَافِ مَا مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ أُوجِبُ لَهُ اسْمَ الْإِنْسَانِيَّةِ إِلَّا ذَلِكَ الشَّيْخُ الْجَالِسُ يَعْنِي أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ جَ

“One of my friends has said that he was with ibn abu al-‘Awja’ and ‘Abdallah ibn al-Muqaffa‘ in the holy Mosque of Makkah and ibn al-Muqaffa‘ said, “Do you see these creatures, pointing towards the location where people walk seven times around the Kabah‘? Of all these no one deserves to be called a human being accept t

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الزَّنَادِقَةِ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع أَيُّهَا الرَّجُلُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ الْقَوْلُ قَوْلَكُمْ وَ لَيْسَ هُوَ كَمَا تَقُولُونَ أَ لَسْنَا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ شَرَعاً سَوَاءً لَا يَضُرُّنَا مَا صَلَّيْنَا وَ صُمْنَا وَ زَكَّيْنَا وَ أَقْرَرْنَا فَسَكَتَ الرَّجُلُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْقَوْلُ قَوْلَنَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُنَا أَ لَسْ

3. Muhammad ibn Ja‘far al-Asadi has narrated from Muhammad ibn Esma‘il al-Barmaki al-Razi from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan ibn Bard al-Daynuri from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah al-Khurasani the an employee of Imam al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following. “An atheist man came to Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s.) w

فَقَالَ لِي يَا هِشَامُ اللَّهُ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ إِلَهٍ وَ الْإِلَهُ يَقْتَضِي مَأْلُوهاً وَ الِاسْمُ غَيْرُ الْمُسَمَّى فَمَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ شَيْئاً وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ وَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ عَبَدَ اثْنَيْنِ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الْمَعْنَى دُونَ الِاسْمِ فَذَاكَ التَّوْحِيدُ أَ فَهِمْتَ يَا هِشَامُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ زِدْنِي قَالَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَ تِسْعِينَ

“What is the root word for Allah?” He (as) replied, “The word Allah is derived from the word Elah (Lord) which requires Ma’luh (some one whose Lord one has become). Note that names are something other than whatever to which they apply. O Hisham, whoever, worships the name without the fact for which the name stands he h

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَسْأَلُهُ كَيْفَ يَعْبُدُ الْعَبْدُ رَبَّهُ وَ هُوَ لَا يَرَاهُ فَوَقَّعَ ع يَا أَبَا يُوسُفَ جَلَّ سَيِّدِي وَ مَوْلَايَ وَ الْمُنْعِمُ عَلَيَّ وَ عَلَى آبَائِي أَنْ يُرَى قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَبَّهُ فَوَقَّعَ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَرَى رَسُولَهُ بِقَلْبِهِ مِنْ نُورِ عَظَمَتِهِ مَا أَحَبَّ.

The Imam wrote in reply, “O abu Yusuf, my Lord, my Master, and my Benefactor and the Benefactor of my ancestors, is far exalted and is above being seen.” I (Ya’qub ibn Ishaq) asked him, “Had the Messenger of Allah (s.a.) seen his Lord?” The Imam replied in writing and signed, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, showe

سَأَلَنِي‌ أَبُو قُرَّةَ الْمُحَدِّثُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالَ وَ الْحَرَامِ وَ الْأَحْكَامِ حَتَّى بَلَغَ سُؤَالُهُ إِلَى التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ أَبُو قُرَّةَ إِنَّا رُوِّينَا أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَمَ الرُّؤْيَةَ وَ الْكَلَامَ بَيْنَ نَبِيَّيْنِ فَقَسَمَ الْكَلَامَ لِمُوسَى وَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ الرُّؤْيَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُ

Oneness of Allah (God). Abu Qurrah said, “We (the narrators of Hadith) narrate that Allah, the Almighty has divided His being seen al-Ru’yah and His al-kalam, speech between the two prophets. He gave Musa (Moses) the opportunity to hear His speech, and Muhammad (s.a.) the opportunity to see Him.” Imam abu al-Hassan (a.

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّؤْيَةِ وَ مَا تَرْوِيهِ الْعَامَّةُ وَ الْخَاصَّةُ- وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَشْرَحَ لِي ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ اتَّفَقَ الْجَمِيعُ لَا تَمَانُعَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنَّ الْمَعْرِفَةَ مِنْ جِهَةِ الرُّؤْيَةِ ضَرُورَةٌ فَإِذَا جَازَ أَنْ يُرَى اللَّهُ بِالْعَيْنِ وَقَعَتِ الْمَعْرِفَةُ ضَرُورَةً- ثُمَّ لَمْ تَخْلُ تِلْكَ الْمَعْرِفَةُ مِنْ أَنْ تَكُونَ إِيمَاناً أَ

“I wrote to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and asked him about the belief in eye-witnessing Allah’s self. Is it is possible to see Allah’s self with one’s own eyes as is traditionally narrated in the affirmative by the Sunni Muslims (al-’ammah) and the Shi‘ah Muslims (al-khassah) who are contrary. I requested him to expl

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الرُّؤْيَةِ وَ مَا اخْتَلَفَ فِيهِ النَّاسُ فَكَتَبَ لَا تَجُوزُ الرُّؤْيَةُ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَ الرَّائِي وَ الْمَرْئِيِّ هَوَاءٌ لَمْ‌[2] يَنْفُذْهُ الْبَصَرُ فَإِذَا انْقَطَعَ الْهَوَاءُ عَنِ الرَّائِي وَ الْمَرْئِيِّ لَمْ تَصِحَّ الرُّؤْيَةُ وَ كَانَ فِي ذَلِكَ الِاشْتِبَاهُ لِأَنَّ الرَّائِيَ مَتَى سَاوَى الْمَرْئِيَّ فِي السَّبَبِ الْمُوجِبِ بَيْنَه

“Eye-witnessing Allah’s self is not possible until there is air (light-carrier medium) that would let the light reach the eye. If air is remove from (space between) the viewer and the object, no eye-witnessing will take place. In this is ground for similarity. When the viewer and the object in view would have the same

حَضَرْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْخَوَارِجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَعْبُدُ قَالَ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ بَلْ لَمْ تَرَهُ الْعُيُونُ بِمُشَاهَدَةِ الْأَبْصَارِ[3] وَ لَكِنْ رَأَتْهُ الْقُلُوبُ بِحَقَائِقِ الْإِيمَانِ لَا يُعْرَفُ بِالْقِيَاسِ وَ لَا يُدْرَكُ بِالْحَوَاسِّ وَ لَا يُشَبَّهُ بِالنَّاسِ مَوْصُوفٌ بِالْآيَاتِ مَعْرُوفٌ بِالْعَلَامَاتِ لَا يَ

“O Abu Ja’far, what do you worship?” He said: “Allah, the Exalted.” The man asked: “Have you seen Him?” He replied: “No, but the eyes do not perceive Him through physical sight, but the hearts have seen Him through the realities of faith. He cannot be known through analogy, nor can He be comprehended by the senses, nor

جَاءَ حِبْرٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ رَبَّكَ حِينَ عَبَدْتَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَيْلَكَ مَا كُنْتُ أَعْبُدُ رَبّاً لَمْ أَرَهُ قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْعُيُونُ فِي مُشَاهَدَةِ الْأَبْصَارِ وَ لَكِنْ رَأَتْهُ الْقُلُوبُ بِحَقَائِقِ الْإِيمَانِ‌[1].

“Once a rabbi (hibr) came to Imam Ali (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-mu’minin, have you seen your Lord when worshipping Him?’” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “This is not a proper question. I would not have worshipped a Lord whom I could not see.” He then asked, “How did you see Him?” Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “This is not a prope

ذَاكَرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِيمَا يَرْوُونَ مِنَ الرُّؤْيَةِ فَقَالَ الشَّمْسُ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ جُزْءاً مِنْ نُورِ الْكُرْسِيِّ وَ الْكُرْسِيُّ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ جُزْءاً مِنْ نُورِ الْعَرْشِ وَ الْعَرْشُ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ جُزْءاً مِنْ نُورِ الْحِجَابِ وَ الْحِجَابُ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ جُزْءاً مِنْ نُورِ السِّتْرِ فَإِنْ كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ فَلْيَمْلَئُوا أَعْيُنَهُمْ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ لَيْسَ دُونَهَا

The Imam said, “The light of the sun has a ratio equal to one seventieth of the light of the Kursi (the throne). The same is the ratio of the light of Kursi to al-‘Arsh, the light of which is of the same ration to that of al-Hijab the light of which is of the same ration to the light of al-Satr. If they tell the truth

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ بَلَغَ بِي جَبْرَئِيلُ مَكَاناً لَمْ يَطَأْهُ قَطُّ جَبْرَئِيلُ فَكَشَفَ لَهُ فَأَرَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ نُورِ عَظَمَتِهِ مَا أَحَبَّ. فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ

“When I ascended to the heavens, Jibril took me to a place where he had never stepped foot on before. Then it was unveiled to him and Allah showed him of the light of His greatness that which he loved.” On the words of Allah “ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware. (6:103)

إِحَاطَةُ الْوَهْمِ أَ لَا تَرَى إِلَى قَوْلِهِ- قَدْ جاءَكُمْ بَصائِرُ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ‌ لَيْسَ يَعْنِي بَصَرَ الْعُيُونِ- فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ‌ لَيْسَ يَعْنِي مِنَ الْبَصَرِ بِعَيْنِهِ- وَ مَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْها لَيْسَ يَعْنِي عَمَى الْعُيُونِ إِنَّمَا عَنَى إِحَاطَةَ الْوَهْمِ كَمَا يُقَالُ فُلَانٌ بَصِيرٌ بِالشِّعْرِ وَ فُلَانٌ بَصِيرٌ بِالْفِقْهِ وَ فُلَانٌ بَصِيرٌ بِالدَّرَاهِمِ وَ فُلَانٌ بَصِيرٌ بِالثِّ

It means within what is called al-Wahm which in terms of the degrees of knowledge is less than fifty percent. Consider the words of Allah in: “Clear proofs have certainly come to you from your Lord.. .” (6:104) It does not mean eye-witnessed knowledge. Also consider, “Whosoever sees clearly, it is to his own gain.” (ib

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اللَّهِ هَلْ يُوصَفُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ قُلْتُ بَلَى- قَالَ أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ قَوْلَهُ تَعَالَى- لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَتَعْرِفُونَ الْأَبْصَارَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ مَا هِيَ قُلْتُ أَبْصَارُ الْعُيُونِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَوْهَامَ الْقُلُوبِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ أَبْصَارِ الْعُيُونِ فَهُوَ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَوْهَامَ.

“I asked Imam abul Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about Allah if He can be described (defined in words). The Imam (a.s.) said, “Have you not read the Quran?” I replied, “Yes, I do read the Quran.” He then said, “Have you not read the words of Allah, the Most High, “No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع- لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ أَوْهَامُ الْقُلُوبِ أَدَقُّ مِنْ أَبْصَارِ الْعُيُونِ أَنْتَ قَدْ تُدْرِكُ بِوَهْمِكَ السِّنْدَ وَ الْهِنْدَ وَ الْبُلْدَانَ الَّتِي لَمْ تَدْخُلْهَا وَ لَا تُدْرِكُهَا بِبَصَرِكَ وَ أَوْهَامُ الْقُلُوبِ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ فَكَيْفَ أَبْصَارُ الْعُيُونِ.

“I mentioned the words of Allah , ‘No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’ (6:103) to Imam abu Ja’far (a.s.). He said, “O abu Hashim, Awham (mentioned above) of hearts are keener and sharper than the perceptions of the eyes. Through the Awham of the heart you can perceive cou

الْأَشْيَاءُ كُلُّهَا لَا تُدْرَكُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرَيْنِ بِالْحَوَاسِّ وَ الْقَلْبِ وَ الْحَوَاسُّ إِدْرَاكُهَا عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ مَعَانٍ إِدْرَاكاً بِالْمُدَاخَلَةِ وَ إِدْرَاكاً بِالْمُمَاسَّةِ وَ إِدْرَاكاً بِلَا مُدَاخَلَةٍ وَ لَا مُمَاسَّةٍ فَأَمَّا الْإِدْرَاكُ الَّذِي بِالْمُدَاخَلَةِ فَالْأَصْوَاتُ وَ الْمَشَامُّ وَ الطُّعُومُ وَ أَمَّا الْإِدْرَاكُ بِالْمُمَاسَّةِ فَمَعْرِفَةُ الْأَشْكَالِ مِنَ التَّرْبِيعِ وَ ا

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from some of his people from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following. “Things can be perceived by two means: (1) By the senses and (2) by the heart, intellect. Perceptions of the senses are of three kinds: (1) Perception in the form of penetration, (2) Perception

كَتَبْتُ عَلَى يَدَيْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّ قَوْماً بِالْعِرَاقِ يَصِفُونَ اللَّهَ بِالصُّورَةِ وَ بِالتَّخْطِيطِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ إِلَيَّ بِالْمَذْهَبِ الصَّحِيحِ مِنَ التَّوْحِيدِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ سَأَلْتَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ وَ مَا ذَهَبَ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ قِبَلَكَ فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الَّذِي‌ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ

“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 beli

- إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ اسْماً بِالْحُرُوفِ غَيْرَ مُتَصَوِّتٍ وَ بِاللَّفْظِ غَيْرَ مُنْطَقٍ وَ بِالشَّخْصِ غَيْرَ مُجَسَّدٍ وَ بِالتَّشْبِيهِ غَيْرَ مَوْصُوفٍ وَ بِاللَّوْنِ غَيْرَ مَصْبُوغٍ مَنْفِيٌّ عَنْهُ الْأَقْطَارُ مُبَعَّدٌ عَنْهُ الْحُدُودُ مَحْجُوبٌ عَنْهُ حِسُّ كُلِّ مُتَوَهِّمٍ مُسْتَتِرٌ[1] غَيْرُ مَسْتُورٍ فَجَعَلَهُ كَلِمَةً تَامَّةً عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَجْزَاءٍ مَعاً لَيْسَ مِنْهَا

1. Ali b. Muhammad has narrated from Salih b. Abi Hammad from al-Husayn ibn Yazid from al-Hassan b. Ali ibn Abi Hamzah from Ibrahim b. ‘Umar from Abi ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, created a name with letters that had no sound. He created it with the word that would

اسْمُ اللَّهِ غَيْرُهُ وَ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1] فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ مَا خَلَا اللَّهَ فَأَمَّا مَا عَبَّرَتْهُ الْأَلْسُنُ أَوْ عَمِلَتِ الْأَيْدِي فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ وَ اللَّهُ غَايَةٌ مِنْ غَايَاتِهِ‌[2] وَ الْمُغَيَّا غَيْرُ الْغَايَةِ وَ الْغَايَةُ مَوْصُوفَةٌ وَ كُلُّ مَوْصُوفٍ مَصْنُوعٌ وَ صَانِعُ الْأَشْيَاءِ غَيْرُ مَوْصُوفٍ بِحَدٍّ مُسَمًّى لَمْ يَتَكَوَّنْ فَيُعْرَفَ كَيْنُونِيَّتُهُ بِص

“The name of Allah is something other than Allah Himself. Every thing that is called a thing is created except Allah. Whatever is expressed by the tongue or is worked out by hands are all created. The word Allah is an intent amongst His intents, and the intended one is different from the intention. The purpose is descr

يَا هِشَامُ اللَّهُ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ إِلَهٍ وَ إِلَهٌ يَقْتَضِي مَأْلُوهاً وَ الِاسْمُ غَيْرُ الْمُسَمَّى فَمَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ شَيْئاً وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ وَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ وَ عَبَدَ اثْنَيْنِ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الْمَعْنَى دُونَ الِاسْمِ فَذَاكَ التَّوْحِيدُ أَ فَهِمْتَ يَا هِشَامُ قَالَ قُلْتُ زِدْنِي قَالَ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةٌ وَ تِسْعُونَ اسْماً فَلَوْ كَانَ

The Imam replied, “O Hisham, the word Allah is derived from ’ilah, that is, the One Who is worshipped and the One who is worshipped is supposed to be worth worshipping. The name of Allah is different from His Own self. Whoever worships the name not the meaning has disbelieved and has, in fact, worshipped nothing. Whoev

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَهُ أَسْمَاءٌ وَ صِفَاتٌ‌[2] فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ أَسْمَاؤُهُ وَ صِفَاتُهُ هِيَ هُوَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ لِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ وَجْهَيْنِ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هِيَ هُوَ أَيْ إِنَّهُ ذُو عَدَدٍ وَ كَثْرَةٍ فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هَذِهِ الصِّفَاتُ وَ الْأَسْمَاءُ لَمْ تَز

7. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah in a marfu‘ manner, has narrated from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I was in the company of abu Ja’far al-Thani, the 2nd (a.s.), when a person asked him, “The names and attributes of the Lord, the Most Holy, the Most High, mentioned in His book (the Holy Quran) are the

قَالَ: اعْلَمْ عَلَّمَكَ اللَّهُ الْخَيْرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدِيمٌ وَ الْقِدَمُ صِفَتُهُ الَّتِي دَلَّتِ الْعَاقِلَ عَلَى أَنَّهُ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ قَبْلَهُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ مَعَهُ فِي دَيْمُومِيَّتِهِ فَقَدْ بَانَ لَنَا بِإِقْرَارِ الْعَامَّةِ مُعْجِزَةُ الصِّفَةِ[3] أَنَّهُ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ قَبْلَ اللَّهِ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ مَعَ اللَّهِ فِي بَقَائِهِ وَ بَطَلَ قَوْلُ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ أَوْ كَانَ

“May Allah, bestow up on you knowledge of the good, notice that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is eternal. Eternity is that attribute which guides the wise that there was nothing before Him in eternity nor is there anything with Him eternal. That this attribute is a miraculous one has come to light from the ackno

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْزِلُ وَ لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى أَنْ يَنْزِلَ إِنَّمَا مَنْظَرُهُ‌[1] فِي الْقُرْبِ وَ الْبُعْدِ سَوَاءٌ لَمْ يَبْعُدْ مِنْهُ قَرِيبٌ وَ لَمْ يَقْرُبْ مِنْهُ بَعِيدٌ- وَ لَمْ يَحْتَجْ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ بَلْ يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ ذُو الطَّوْلِ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيم

“A people was mentioned, before the Imam (a.s.), who believed that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, comes down to the sky above the earth.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah does not come down and He does not need to come down. His sight for near and far is the same. Near does not become far for Him and far does not bec

سَأَلَ الْجَاثَلِيقُ‌[1] أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَحْمِلُ الْعَرْشَ أَمِ الْعَرْشُ يَحْمِلُهُ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَامِلُ الْعَرْشِ وَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ وَ مَا فِيهِمَا وَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَزُولا وَ لَئِنْ زالَتا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُما م

“Jathaliq, a christian scholar, asked Imam Ali (a.s.) saying, ‘Tell me about Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. Does He carry the ‘Arsh or ‘Arsh carries Him?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is the One Who carries and has lifted the ‘Arsh, the heavens and earth and all that is between t

بَيْنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَخْطُبُ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ إِذْ قَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ- ذِعْلِبٌ‌[3] ذُو لِسَانٍ بَلِيغٍ فِي الْخُطَبِ شُجَاعُ الْقَلْبِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ رَبَّكَ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ يَا ذِعْلِبُ مَا كُنْتُ أَعْبُدُ رَبّاً لَمْ أَرَهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَيْفَ رَأَيْتَهُ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ يَا ذِعْلِبُ لَمْ تَرَهُ الْعُيُونُ بِمُشَاهَدَةِ الْأ

“Once Imam Amirul Mu’minin addressed the people in the Mosque of Kufa from the pulpit and a man called dhi‘lab a very good orator and brave in heart said, “O Amirul Mu’minin, have you seen your Lord?” The Imam replied, “Fie upon you O Dhi‘lab, how would I worship a Lord whom I would not see?” The man said, “O Amirul Mu

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ التَّوْحِيدِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ بِخَطِّهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْمُلْهِمِ عِبَادَهُ حَمْدَهُ. - وَ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَ مَا رَوَاهُ- سَهْلُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ وَ قَمَعَ وُجُودُهُ جَوَائِلَ الْأَوْهَامِ ثُمَّ زَادَ فِيهِ أَوَّلُ الدِّيَانَةِ بِهِ مَعْرِفَتُهُ وَ كَمَالُ مَعْرِفَتِهِ تَوْحِيدُهُ وَ كَمَالُ تَوْحِيدِهِ نَفْيُ الصِّفَاتِ عَنْهُ بِشَهَادَةِ كُ

“I wrote to abu Ibrahim (a.s.) asking him about the Oneness of Allah.” He wrote back to me in his own hand writing, “All praise is due to Allah, Who inspires His servants with His praise.” He mentioned in it facts similar to those in the Hadith of Sahl ibn Ziyad (No. 5 above) to his words that read, ‘His essence has up

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُونَ فِيهِ قُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ يَهْلِكُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ قَالُوا قَوْلًا عَظِيماً إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي يُؤْتَى مِنْهُ.

“A person asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “Everything will be destroyed except God. . .” (28:88) The Imam (a.s.) asked, “What do they say about it?” I replied, “They say that everything will perish except the face of Allah.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Glory belongs to

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ بِنَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ وَ بِنَا عُرِفَ اللَّهُ وَ بِنَا وُحِّدَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ مُحَمَّدٌ حِجَابُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌[3].

“I heard Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) saying, ‘Through us Allah is worshipped. Through us Allah is known. Through us belief in the Oneness of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is established. Muhammad is the Hijab (curtain) of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High.”

مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِثْلِ الْبَدَاءِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا عُظِّمَ اللَّهُ بِمِثْلِ الْبَدَاءِ[1].

“Allah is best worshipped with belief in al-Bada’. In another Hadith from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said, “Allah’s Greatness is not understood as well as it is understood with example of al-Bada’.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ مَا فِي الْقَوْلِ بِالْبَدَاءِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مَا فَتَرُوا عَنِ الْكَلَامِ فِيهِ.

“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) saying, ‘Had the people known of the reward in the belief in al-Bada’ there would have been no weakness in their words about it.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً قَطُّ إِلَّا بِتَحْرِيمِ الْخَمْرِ وَ أَنْ يُقِرَّ لِلَّهِ بِالْبَدَاءِ.

“I heard Imam al-Rida (a.s.) saying, “Allah never sent a prophet without the law that prohibits the use of wine and without belief in al-Bada.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ ضَلَالَتَهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوهُ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هِ

“Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O Thabit, why do you bother about people? Leave them alone and do not call anyone to accept your belief (the belief of the Shi’a Muslims). I swear by Allah that even if all the people in the heavens and earth come together to guide a person whom Allah wants not to guide they will ne

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا النَّاسَ لِدِينِكُمْ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص‌ إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ‌ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ وَ قَالَ‌ أَ فَأَنْتَ ت

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Leave your affairs to Allah and do not leave them to the people. Whatever is for Allah it is for Him. Whatever is for people it will not rise up to Allah. Do not quarrel with people about your belief; quarrelling sickens the heart. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, said to Hi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ لَا يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً أَمَرَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ بِعُنُقِهِ فَأَدْخَلَهُ فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ طَائِعاً أَوْ كَارِهاً[1].

Abu Ali al-Ash‘ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Marwan from Fudayl ibn Yasar the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can we invite people to this belief (the belief of the Shi’a Muslims)?’ He said, ‘No, do not invite them, O Fudayl. When Allah wants

كَانَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ مِنْهُمْ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ النُّعْمَانِ وَ هِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ وَ الطَّيَّارُ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ فِيهِمْ هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ هُوَ شَابٌّ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هِشَامُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي كَيْفَ صَنَعْتَ بِعَمْرِو بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ وَ كَيْفَ سَأَلْتَهُ فَقَالَ هِشَامٌ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُجِلُّكَ وَ أَسْتَحْيِ

“In the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) once there was a group of his followers consisting of Humran ibn ’Ayun, Muhammad ibn al-Ni‘man, Hisham ibn Salim, al-Tayyar and others among whom was also Hisham ibn al-Hakam, a young man. Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “O Hisham can you tell us what did you do to ‘Amr ibn

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَوَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ صَاحِبُ كَلَامٍ وَ فِقْهٍ وَ فَرَائِضَ وَ قَدْ جِئْتُ لِمُنَاظَرَةِ أَصْحَابِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَلَامُكَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ فَقَالَ مِنْ كَلَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مِنْ عِنْدِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَنْتَ إِذاً شَرِيكُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَس

“I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man from Sham (Syria) came to him and said, ‘I am a man of Kalam (meaningful words) Fiqh (laws) and rules of obligations and I have come to debate your people.” Imam abu ‘Abdallah asked, “ Are your meaningful words those of the Messenger of Allah or your own wo