The Book on Oneness of Allah (God)

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

إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ الدَّيَصَانِيَ‌[1] سَأَلَ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَكَ رَبٌّ فَقَالَ بَلَى قَالَ أَ قَادِرٌ هُوَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَادِرٌ قَاهِرٌ قَالَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّهَا الْبَيْضَةَ لَا تَكْبُرُ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ لَا تَصْغُرُ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ النَّظِرَةَ[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أَنْظَرْتُكَ حَوْلًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَنْهُ فَرَكِبَ هِشَامٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَ

‘Abdallah al-Daysani asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ‘Do you have a God?’” He replied, “Yes, I have a God.” He then asked, “Is He powerful?” Hisham then replied, “Yes, He is powerful and the most powerful One.” The man then asked, “Can He fit the whole world inside an egg without any change in the size of either one?” Hisha

فِي حَدِيثِ الزِّنْدِيقِ الَّذِي أَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْلِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا يَخْلُو قَوْلُكَ‌[5] إِنَّهُمَا اثْنَانِ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَا قَدِيمَيْنِ قَوِيَّيْنِ أَوْ يَكُونَا ضَعِيفَيْنِ أَوْ يَكُونَ أَحَدُهُمَا قَوِيّاً وَ الْآخَرُ ضَعِيفاً فَإِنْ كَانَا قَوِيَّيْنِ فَلِمَ لَا يَدْفَعُ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ وَ يَتَفَرَّدُ بِالتَّدْبِيرِ وَ إِنْ زَعَمْتَ أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمَا

"Your claim (of polytheism) does not exclude the possibility that the two (Gods) are either both eternal and powerful or limited, or that one of them is powerful while the other is limited. If they are both powerful, then why doesn’t one of them repel the other and take sole control? And if you claim that one of them i

كَفَى لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ بِخَلْقِ الرَّبِّ الْمُسَخِّرِ وَ مُلْكِ الرَّبِّ الْقَاهِرِ وَ جَلَالِ الرَّبِّ الظَّاهِرِ وَ نُورِ الرَّبِّ الْبَاهِرِ[1] وَ بُرْهَانِ الرَّبِّ الصَّادِقِ وَ مَا أنطق به ألسن العباد و ما أرسل به الرسل و ما أنزل على العبادِ دَلِيلًا عَلَى الرَّبِّ.

“For the people of understanding as proof of the existence of the Allah it is enough that He has created all things and has kept them full under His control. It is enough proof that He is the Most powerful king. It is enough proof that His Majesty is manifest everywhere. That His light is the Most bright that His testi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ[2] فَقُلْتُ أَتَوَهَّمُ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ غَيْرَ مَعْقُولٍ وَ لَا مَحْدُودٍ فَمَا وَقَعَ وَهْمُكَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَهُوَ خِلَافُهُ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ كَيْفَ تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ وَ هُوَ خِلَافُ مَا يُعْقَلُ وَ خِلَافُ مَا يُتَصَوَّرُ فِي الْأَوْهَامِ إِنَّمَا يُتَوَهَّمُ شَيْ‌ءٌ غَيْرُ مَعْقُولٍ وَ لَا مَحْدُودٍ.

"I imagine something." He replied: "Yes, it is something that is neither rational nor limited. Whatever your imagination has conceived of anything, it is the opposite of it; nothing resembles Him, and the imagination cannot comprehend Him. How can the imagination grasp Him when He is contrary to what is rational and co

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُقَالَ لِلَّهِ إِنَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُخْرِجُهُ مِنَ الْحَدَّيْنِ حَدِّ التَّعْطِيلِ وَ حَدِّ التَّشْبِيهِ‌[5].

“Is it permissible to say that Allah is a thing?” The Imam replied, “Yes, because it removes two kinds of limitations, the limitation of being forgotten altogether and that of considering Him like other things.”

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ خِلْوٌ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَ خَلْقَهُ خِلْوٌ مِنْهُ وَ كُلُّ مَا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ مَا خَلَا اللَّهَ.

“Allah is distinct from His creatures and His creatures are different from Him and whatever that is called a thing is a creature except Allah.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خِلْوٌ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ‌[1] وَ خَلْقَهُ خِلْوٌ مِنْهُ وَ كُلُّ مَا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مَا خَلَا اللَّهَ فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ وَ اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي‌ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ‌ شَيْ‌ءٌ- وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ.

“Allah is distinct from His creatures and the creatures are different from Him. Whatever could be called a thing is a creature except Allah Who is the Creator of all things. Holy is He for Whom there is no similarity and He is all-hearing and all-aware.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خِلْوٌ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَ خَلْقَهُ خِلْوٌ مِنْهُ وَ كُلُّ مَا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مَا خَلَا اللَّهَ تَعَالَى فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ وَ اللَّهُ خالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Allah is distinct from His creation, and his creation is distinct from Him, and everything what the name ‘thing’ occurs upon, apart from Allah the Exalted, is created. And Allah is the Creator of all things.”

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ حِينَ سَأَلَهُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِخِلَافِ الْأَشْيَاءِ ارْجِعْ بِقَوْلِي إِلَى إِثْبَاتِ مَعْنًى وَ أَنَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِحَقِيقَةِ الشَّيْئِيَّةِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا جِسْمٌ وَ لَا صُورَةٌ وَ لَا يُحَسُّ وَ لَا يُجَسُّ وَ لَا يُدْرَكُ بِالْحَوَاسِّ الْخَمْسِ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ وَ لَا تَنْقُصُهُ الدُّهُورُ وَ لَا تُغَيِّرُهُ الْأَزْمَانُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ فَتَقُولُ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ بَ

6. It is narrated from Imam abu “Abdallah (a.s.), who said this to an atheist on being asked a question. “He (Allah) is a thing but different from all other things. I repeat my statement that speaks about Him as a thing. He is a thing in the sense of the reality of things except that He does not have a body and form. H

سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ يُخْرِجُهُ مِنَ الْحَدَّيْنِ حَدِّ التَّعْطِيلِ وَ حَدِّ التَّشْبِيهِ.

“Is it permissible to say Allah is a thing?” “Yes, it is permissible because it excludes Him from being ignored altogether and from being analogized or considered similar to the creatures.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الرَّسُولَ بِالرِّسَالَةِ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ بِالْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْإِحْسَانِ. وَ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ع اعْرِفُوا اللَّهَ بِاللَّهِ‌[2] يَعْنِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَشْخَاصَ وَ الْأَنْوَارَ وَ الْجَوَاهِرَ وَ الْأَعْيَانَ فَالْأَعْيَانُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ الْجَوَاهِرُ الْأَرْوَاحُ وَ هُوَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ لَا يُشْبِهُ جِسْماً وَ لَا رُ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from the people he mentioned from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Humran from al- Fadl ibn al-Sakan from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has narrated the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘Recognize Allah by Allah’s Own-Self, recognize the Messenger through his message a

سُئِلَ‌ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَ عَرَفْتَ رَبَّكَ قَالَ بِمَا عَرَّفَنِي نَفْسَهُ قِيلَ وَ كَيْفَ عَرَّفَكَ نَفْسَهُ قَالَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ صُورَةٌ وَ لَا يُحَسُّ بِالْحَوَاسِّ وَ لَا يُقَاسُ بِالنَّاسِ قَرِيبٌ فِي بُعْدِهِ بَعِيدٌ فِي قُرْبِهِ فَوْقَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يُقَالُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَوْقَهُ أَمَامَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا يُقَالُ لَهُ أَمَامٌ دَاخِلٌ فِي الْأَشْيَاءِ لَا كَشَيْ‌ءٍ دَاخِلٍ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ خَارِجٌ

The Commander of the Faithful (as) was asked: "How did you come to know your Lord?" He said: "By what He has introduced Himself to me." It was asked: "And how did He introduce Himself to you?" He said: "He is not similar to any image, nor can He be perceived by the senses, nor can He be compared to people. He is close

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي نَاظَرْتُ قَوْماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ أَجَلُّ وَ أَعَزُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِخَلْقِهِ بَلِ الْعِبَادُ يُعْرَفُونَ بِاللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ.

“I debated certain people and said to them, ‘Allah, Glory be to Him, is far Glorious, Majestic and Honorable than being defined by means of His creatures. In fact, the existence of the creatures is proved through the existence of Allah.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “May Allah bestow up on you blessings.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَدْنَى الْمَعْرِفَةِ فَقَالَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِأَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا شِبْهَ لَهُ وَ لَا نَظِيرَ وَ أَنَّهُ قَدِيمٌ مُثْبَتٌ مَوْجُودٌ غَيْرُ فَقِيدٍ وَ أَنَّهُ‌ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

"I asked him about the lowest level of knowledge. He said: 'The acknowledgment that there is no deity other than Him, and that there is no similarity or counterpart to Him, and that He is Eternal, Affirmed, Existing, not lacking anything, and that there is nothing like Him.'"

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى الرَّجُلِ‌ مَا الَّذِي لَا يُجْتَزَأُ فِي مَعْرِفَةِ الْخَالِقِ بِدُونِهِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ لَمْ يَزَلْ عَالِماً وَ سَامِعاً وَ بَصِيراً وَ هُوَ الْفَعَّالُ لِمَا يُرِيدُ وَ سُئِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنِ الَّذِي لَا يُجْتَزَأُ بِدُونِ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَعْرِفَةِ الْخَالِقِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ لَمْ يَزَلْ عَالِماً سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً.

“What is it that without which one’s acknowledgement of the existence of Allah can not be considered sufficient?” In answer the Imam (a.s.) replied, “That He is All-knowing, All-hearing All-awareness and that He acts as He wills.” Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) was asked about the minimum required degree of knowledge about All

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ كُلَّهُ عَجِيبٌ إِلَّا[3] أَنَّهُ قَدِ احْتَجَّ عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا قَدْ عَرَّفَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

“The issue about Allah is totally extraordinary. Notice that He has presented to you His arguments in proof of His existence by means of that much of facts about His own self that He has made known to you.”

مَنْ عَبَدَ اللَّهَ بِالتَّوَهُّمِ فَقَدْ كَفَرَ[1] وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ وَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الْمَعْنَى بِإِيقَاعِ الْأَسْمَاءِ عَلَيْهِ بِصِفَاتِهِ الَّتِي وَصَفَ بِهَا نَفْسَهُ فَعَقَدَ عَلَيْهِ قَلْبَهُ وَ نَطَقَ بِهِ لِسَانُهُ فِي سَرَائِرِهِ وَ عَلَانِيَتِهِ‌[2] فَأُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع حَقّاً وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ

Abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) has said, “Whoever worships Allah with a degree of less than fifty percent knowledge of His existence he has certainly denied His existence. Whoever worships the names without their meaning he certainly has also denied His existence. Whoever worships both the names and the meanings he certainly has

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 جَعْفَرٍ ع أَوْ قُلْتُ لَهُ جَعَلَنِي اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ نَعْبُدُ الرَّحْمَنَ الرَّحِيمَ الْوَاحِدَ الْأَحَدَ الصَّمَدَ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمُسَمَّى بِالْأَسْمَاءِ أَشْرَكَ وَ كَفَرَ وَ جَحَدَ وَ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ شَيْئاً بَلِ اعْبُدِ اللَّهَ الْوَاحِدَ الْأَحَدَ الصَّمَدَ الْمُسَمَّى بِهَذِهِ الْأَسْمَاءِ دُونَ الْأَسْمَاءِ إِنَّ الْأَسْمَاءَ صِفَاتٌ وَصَفَ بِهَا نَفْسَهُ.

"I wrote to Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) or I told him, 'May God make me your sacrifice, we worship the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, the One, the Unique, the Eternal.' He said, 'Indeed, whoever worships the name without the Named has associated partners (with God), disbelieved, and denied. He has not worshipped a

سَأَلَ نَافِعُ بْنُ الْأَزْرَقِ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ اللَّهِ مَتَى كَانَ فَقَالَ مَتَى لَمْ يَكُنْ حَتَّى أُخْبِرَكَ مَتَى كَانَ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ وَ لَا يَزَالُ فَرْداً صَمَداً لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صاحِبَةً وَ لا وَلَداً.

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.”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مِنْ وَرَاءِ نَهَرِ بَلْخٍ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَإِنْ أَجَبْتَنِي فِيهَا بِمَا عِنْدِي قُلْتُ بِإِمَامَتِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ وَ كَيْفَ كَانَ وَ عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ كَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّنَ الْأَيْنَ بِلَا أَيْنٍ وَ

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

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ فَقَالَ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّمَا يُقَالُ لِشَيْ‌ءٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَتَى كَانَ إِنَّ رَبِّي تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى كَانَ وَ لَمْ يَزَلْ‌[1] حَيّاً بِلَا كَيْفٍ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كَانَ وَ لَا كَانَ لِكَوْنِهِ كَوْنُ كَيْفٍ وَ لَا كَانَ لَهُ أَيْنٌ وَ لَا كَانَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا كَانَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا ابْتَدَعَ لِمَكَانِهِ مَكَاناً وَ لَا

“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

اجْتَمَعَتِ الْيَهُودُ إِلَى رَأْسِ الْجَالُوتِ‌[5] فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ عَالِمٌ يَعْنُونَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَانْطَلِقْ بِنَا إِلَيْهِ نَسْأَلْهُ فَأَتَوْهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُمْ هُوَ فِي الْقَصْرِ فَانْتَظَرُوهُ حَتَّى خَرَجَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَأْسُ الْجَالُوتِ جِئْنَاكَ نَسْأَلُكَ فَقَالَ سَلْ يَا يَهُودِيُّ عَمَّا بَدَا لَكَ فَقَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ فَقَالَ كَانَ بِلَا كَيْنُونِيَّة

“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 wit

جَاءَ حِبْرٌ مِنَ الْأَحْبَارِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌ مَتَى كَانَ رَبُّكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ وَ مَتَى لَمْ يَكُنْ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَتَى كَانَ كَانَ رَبِّي قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلَا قَبْلٍ وَ بَعْدَ الْبَعْدِ بِلَا بَعْدٍ وَ لَا غَايَةَ وَ لَا مُنْتَهَى لِغَايَتِهِ انْقَطَعَتِ الْغَايَاتُ عِنْدَهُ فَهُوَ مُنْتَهَى كُلِّ غَايَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ

“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

قَالَ رَأْسُ الْجَالُوتِ لِلْيَهُودِ إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع مِنْ أَجْدَلِ‌[1] النَّاسِ وَ أَعْلَمِهِمْ اذْهَبُوا بِنَا إِلَيْهِ لَعَلِّي أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وَ أُخَطِّئُهُ فِيهَا فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ قَالَ سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَتَى كَانَ رَبُّنَا قَالَ لَهُ يَا يَهُودِيُّ إِنَّمَا ي

“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 abou

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ اللَّهُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ قَالَ نَعَمْ كَانَ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ كَانَ يَكُونُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ مُتَّكِئاً فَاسْتَوَى جَالِساً وَ قَالَ أَحَلْتَ‌[2] يَا زُرَارَةُ وَ سَأَلْتَ عَنِ الْمَكَانِ إِذْ لَا مَكَانَ.

“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.”

أَتَى حِبْرٌ مِنَ الْأَحْبَارِ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَتَى كَانَ رَبُّكَ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّمَا يُقَالُ مَتَى كَانَ لِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فَأَمَّا مَا كَانَ فَلَا يُقَالُ مَتَى كَانَ كَانَ قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلَا قَبْلٍ وَ بَعْدَ الْبَعْدِ بِلَا بَعْدٍ وَ لَا مُنْتَهَى غَايَةٍ لِتَنْتَهِيَ غَايَتُهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ نَبِيٌّ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ لِأُمِّكَ الْهَبَلُ إِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ مِنْ

“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 an

إِنَّ الْيَهُودَ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا انْسُبْ‌[1] لَنَا رَبَّكَ فَلَبِثَ ثَلَاثاً لَا يُجِيبُهُمْ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتْ‌ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ إِلَى آخِرِهَا. - وَ رَوَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ‌.

“The Jews asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.), ‘Describe for us the genealogy- of your Lord.’” The Prophet waited for three days and gave no reply. Then the following verses were revealed to him: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Muhammad), say, “He is the only God (112:1). God is Absolute (112:2). He

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ‌ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ نِسْبَةُ اللَّهِ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ أَحَداً صَمَداً أَزَلِيّاً صَمَدِيّاً لَا ظِلَّ لَهُ يُمْسِكُهُ وَ هُوَ يُمْسِكُ الْأَشْيَاءَ بِأَظِلَّتِهَا عَارِفٌ بِالْمَجْهُولِ مَعْرُوفٌ عِنْدَ كُلِّ جَاهِلٍ فَرْدَانِيّاً لَا خَلْقُهُ فِيهِ وَ لَا هُوَ فِي خَلْقِهِ غَيْرُ مَحْسُوسٍ وَ لَا مَجْسُوسٍ‌ لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ عَلَا فَقَرُبَ وَ دَنَا فَبَعُدَ وَ ع

“I asked Imam abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, ‘Say, ‘He is Allah, One . .’” The Imam replied, “These verses define Allah’s relation to His creation. He is the One, Unique, Eternal, and Absolute. He does not have shadow so one can hold Him but it is He who holds things by their shadows. He knows the unkno

قَالَ: سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ أَقْوَامٌ مُتَعَمِّقُونَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ الْآيَاتِ مِنْ سُورَةِ الْحَدِيدِ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ هُوَ عَلِيمٌ بِذاتِ الصُّدُورِ فَمَنْ رَامَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ هَلَكَ.

“I asked Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about the Oneness of Allah. The Imam replied, “Allah the Almighty, the Great, the Exalted knew that in the latter times there will be people who would investigate the issues very deeply in a hair splitting manner. Therefore, Allah, the Glorious, has revealed chapter one hundred tw

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَ آمَنَ بِهَا فَقَدْ عَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَقْرَأُهَا قَالَ كَمَا يَقْرَأُهَا النَّاسُ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي.

“I asked Imam Ali al-Rida (a.s.) about the Oneness of Allah.” He replied, “Whoever recites Chapter 112 of the holy Quran: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (Muhammad), say, “He is the only God (112:1). God is Absolute (112:2). He neither begets nor was He begotten (112:3). There is no one equal to Him

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ تَكَلَّمُوا[1] فِي خَلْقِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ الْكَلَامَ فِي اللَّهِ لَا يَزْدَادُ صَاحِبَهُ إِلَّا تَحَيُّراً. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ تَكَلَّمُوا فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ لَا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ.

“Speak about the creation of Allah and do not speak about Allah His-self. Speaking about the Allah’s self does not increase anything to one’s knowledge except more confusion.” In another Hadith from Hariz it reads, “Speak about every thing but do not speak about Allah’s essence.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ أَنَّ إِلى‌ رَبِّكَ الْمُنْتَهى‌[2] فَإِذَا انْتَهَى الْكَلَامُ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَأَمْسِكُوا.

“The words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, that say, ‘And that the final end is unto thy Lord.” (53:42) instructs people to end a discussion that would take up Allah’s self as an object of investigation.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ لَا يَزَالُ بِهِمُ‌[3] الْمَنْطِقُ حَتَّى يَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي اللَّهِ فَإِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ‌[4] ذَلِكَ فَقُولُوا لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الَّذِي‌ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“O Muhammad, people rationalize everything. They even speak about Allah’s self. When you hear such discources, say to them ‘There is no god but Allah, the One and no one is similar to Him.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا زِيَادُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الْخُصُومَاتِ فَإِنَّهَا تُورِثُ الشَّكَّ وَ تَهْبِطُ الْعَمَلَ وَ تُرْدِي صَاحِبَهَا وَ عَسَى أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ بِالشَّيْ‌ءِ فَلَا يُغْفَرَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِيمَا مَضَى قَوْمٌ تَرَكُوا عِلْمَ مَا وُكِّلُوا بِهِ وَ طَلَبُوا عِلْمَ مَا كُفُوهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى كَلَامُهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَتَحَيَّرُوا حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ لَيُدْعَى مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ فَيُجِيبُ مِ

“O Ziyad, beware of debates because they create doubts, invalidate one’s good deeds and turn one into a complete wreck. One may say a thing, perhaps, he will not be forgiven. In the past there lived a people who ignored acquiring the necessary knowledge and instead they sought a knowledge that was not required of them.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ نَظَرَ فِي اللَّهِ كَيْفَ هُوَ هَلَكَ.

“He who thinks of how and when about Allah he has met his doomed.”

إِنَّ مَلِكاً عَظِيمَ الشَّأْنِ كَانَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ لَهُ فَتَنَاوَلَ الرَّبَّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَفُقِدَ فَمَا يُدْرَى أَيْنَ هُوَ[1].

“A king of great splendid once before a gathering in his court spoke of the (Self of) Lord, the Holy, the Most High. Thereafter the monarch became extremely confused and could not understand where was he.”

إِيَّاكُمْ وَ التَّفَكُّرَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا أَرَدْتُمْ أَنْ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى عَظَمَتِهِ فَانْظُرُوا إِلَى عَظِيمِ خَلْقِهِ‌[2].

“Beware of thinking about Allah’s self. If you would like to think about the greatness of Allah, think about His great and wonderful creations.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ أَكَلَ قَلْبَكَ طَائِرٌ لَمْ يُشْبِعْهُ وَ بَصَرُكَ لَوْ وُضِعَ عَلَيْهِ خَرْقُ إِبْرَةٍ لَغَطَّاهُ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ بِهِمَا مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَهَذِهِ الشَّمْسُ خَلْقٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ تَمْلَأَ عَيْنَيْكَ مِنْهَا فَهُوَ كَمَا تَقُولُ‌[3].

“O son of Adam, if a bird were to feed upon your heart, it would not satisfy its hunger. Only the eye of a needle, if placed over your eye, would be totally cover your vision. With such (insignificant) means of perception how would you comprehend (Allah’s) vast dominion over the earth and the heavens? And if you think

إِنَّ يَهُودِيّاً يُقَالُ لَهُ- سُبَّخْتُ جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ جِئْتُ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ رَبِّكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ أَجَبْتَنِي عَمَّا أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْهُ وَ إِلَّا رَجَعْتُ قَالَ سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ قَالَ أَيْنَ رَبُّكَ قَالَ هُوَ فِي كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَ لَيْسَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْمَكَانِ الْمَحْدُودِ[2] قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ هُوَ قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ أَصِفُ رَبِّي بِالْكَيْفِ‌[3] وَ الْكَيْفُ مَخْلُوقٌ

“A Jew named Sabhut came to the Prophet, (s.a.) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have come to ask about your Lord. If you will answer my question it will be fine, otherwise, I will go back.” The Prophet replied, “Ask whatever you like.” He asked, “Where is your Lord?” The Prophet replied, “He is everywhere, but He is

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الصِّفَةِ فَرَفَعَ يَدَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ قَالَ تَعَالَى الْجَبَّارُ تَعَالَى الْجَبَّارُ مَنْ تَعَاطَى مَا ثَمَّ هَلَكَ‌[4].

“I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about certain attributes of Allah. The Imam raised his hand towards the heavens and said, ‘High is the Almighty. High is the Almighty. One who pursues beyond this, he is doomed.’”

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