Kindness & Mercy

ذَكَرْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلًا مُبْتَلًى بِالْوُضُوءِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ[2] وَ قُلْتُ هُوَ رَجُلٌ عَاقِلٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَيُّ عَقْلٍ لَهُ وَ هُوَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ كَيْفَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ- فَقَالَ سَلْهُ هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[3].

“I mentioned to Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) a man who was afflicted with doubts in his ablution and prayer (constantly repeating them) and added that he is an intelligent man.” Abu 'Abdillah then said, ‘What kind of intelligence does he have, when he obeys Satan?’. I asked him, 'How is he obeying Satan?'. He replied,

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِالْفَقِيهِ حَقِّ الْفَقِيهِ مَنْ لَمْ يُقَنِّطِ النَّاسَ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُمْ فِي مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكِ الْقُرْآنَ رَغْبَةً عَنْهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِلْمٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ تَفَهُّمٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي قِرَاءَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا تَدَبُّرٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِبَادَةٍ لَي

“Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Do you want me to describe to you the true Faqih, person who truly has a good understanding of religion? A true Faqih is one who does not cause people to despair from the mercy of Allah and does not make them to be unconcerned about the punishment of Allah, who does not allow them to consider di

قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ اخْتَرِ الْمَجَالِسَ عَلَى عَيْنِكَ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ قَوْماً يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ فَاجْلِسْ مَعَهُمْ فَإِنْ تَكُنْ عَالِماً نَفَعَكَ عِلْمُكَ وَ إِنْ تَكُنْ جَاهِلًا عَلَّمُوكَ وَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُظِلَّهُمْ بِرَحْمَتِهِ فَيَعُمَّكَ مَعَهُمْ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ قَوْماً لَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ فَلَا تَجْلِسْ مَعَهُمْ فَإِنْ تَكُنْ عَالِماً لَمْ يَنْفَعْكَ عِلْمُكَ

Luqman (the wise) said to his son, “O my son, choose your gatherings wisely. If you see a group remembering Allah (swt), then sit with them. If you are knowledgeable, your knowledge will benefit you, and if you are ignorant, they will teach you. Perhaps Allah, by His mercy, will envelop them, and you will be included w

مَنْ أَفْتَى النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ لَا هُدًى لَعَنَتْهُ مَلَائِكَةُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَلَائِكَةُ الْعَذَابِ وَ لَحِقَهُ وِزْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِفُتْيَاهُ.

“Whoever gives a fatwa (a religious verdict) to people without knowledge and guidance, the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment curse him. The burden of those who act upon his fatwa will fall upon him."

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ الْعُلَمَاءُ رَجُلَانِ رَجُلٌ عَالِمٌ آخِذٌ بِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا نَاجٍ وَ عَالِمٌ تَارِكٌ لِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا هَالِكٌ وَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ النَّارِ لَيَتَأَذَّوْنَ مِنْ رِيحِ الْعَالِمِ التَّارِكِ لِعِلْمِهِ وَ إِنَّ أَشَدَّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ نَدَامَةً وَ حَسْرَةً رَجُلٌ دَعَا عَبْداً إِلَى اللَّهِ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ وَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ ف

The scholars are of two kinds: One kind consists of those who uphold their knowledge and they gain their salvation. The other kind consists of those who disregard their knowledge and they face their destruction. The people of hell will suffer from the bad odor of the scholars who do not act according to their knowledge

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ ذُو فَضَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَرَأْسُهُ التَّوَاضُعُ وَ عَيْنُهُ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَ أُذُنُهُ الْفَهْمُ وَ لِسَانُهُ الصِّدْقُ وَ حِفْظُهُ الْفَحْصُ وَ قَلْبُهُ حُسْنُ النِّيَّةِ وَ عَقْلُهُ مَعْرِفَةُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ الْأُمُورِ وَ يَدُهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ رِجْلُهُ زِيَارَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ هِمَّتُ

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Nuh ibn Shu‘ayb al-Naysaburi from ‘Ubaydallah ibn ‘Abdallah al-Dihqan from Durust ibn abu Mansur from ’Urwa cousin of Shu‘ayb al-’Aqarqi from Shu‘ayb from abu Basir who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said that Imam Ali (a.

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.’”

طَلَبَةُ الْعِلْمِ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَاعْرِفْهُمْ بِأَعْيَانِهِمْ وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلِاسْتِطَالَةِ وَ الْخَتْلِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْفِقْهِ وَ الْعَقْلِ فَصَاحِبُ الْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ مُوذٍ مُمَارٍ مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِلْمَقَالِ فِي أَنْدِيَةِ الرِّجَالِ بِتَذَاكُرِ الْعِلْمِ وَ صِفَةِ الْحِلْمِ قَدْ تَسَرْبَلَ بِالْخُشُوعِ وَ تَخَلَّى مِنَ الْوَرَعِ فَدَقَّ الل

“The seekers of knowledge are of three kinds. The more noticeable of them in person or character are: (a) the group who seeks knowledge for ignorance and quarrel. (b) The group who seeks knowledge to dominate and cheat others. (c) The group who seeks knowledge for proper understanding, Fiqh, and power of intelligence.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رُوَاةَ الْكِتَابِ كَثِيرٌ وَ إِنَّ رُعَاتَهُ قَلِيلٌ وَ كَمْ مِنْ مُسْتَنْصِحٍ لِلْحَدِيثِ مُسْتَغِشُّ لِلْكِتَابِ فَالْعُلَمَاءُ يَحْزُنُهُمْ تَرْكُ الرِّعَايَةِ وَ الْجُهَّالُ يَحْزُنُهُمْ حِفْظُ الرِّوَايَةِ فَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى حَيَاتَهُ وَ رَاعٍ يَرْعَى هَلَكَتَهُ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ اخْتَلَفَ الرَّاعِيَانِ وَ تَغَايَرَ الْفَرِيقَانِ.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, ‘The narrators of the book are a great many but those who would follow the proper discipline are very few. There are many, who are sincere about Hadith but mess up with the book. Lack of protection and discipline saddens the scholars and the (zeal) of ignorant ones to protect the (wor

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ السُّنَّةُ سُنَّتَانِ سُنَّةٌ فِي فَرِيضَةٍ[2] الْأَخْذُ بِهَا هُدًى وَ تَرْكُهَا ضَلَالَةٌ وَ سُنَّةٌ فِي غَيْرِ فَرِيضَةٍ الْأَخْذُ بِهَا فَضِيلَةٌ وَ تَرْكُهَا إِلَى غَيْرِ خَطِيئَةٍ[3].

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abdallah from his ancestors (the Imams (a.s.) who have said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘There are two kinds of Sunnah, (traditions). There is a Sunnah in obligations and following such Sunnah is guidance and its disrega

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

قَالَ لِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُوصَفُ بِمَحْدُودِيَّةٍ عَظُمَ رَبُّنَا عَنِ الصِّفَةِ فَكَيْفَ يُوصَفُ بِمَحْدُودِيَّةٍ مَنْ لَا يُحَدُّ وَ لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ‌ الْخَبِيرُ.

“O abu Hamzah, Allah cannot be defined by the created things. Our Lord is far above being described through the attributes. How can the infinite be defined by the finite? ‘ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’” (6:103)

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَظِيمٌ رَفِيعٌ لَا يَقْدِرُ الْعِبَادُ عَلَى صِفَتِهِ وَ لَا يَبْلُغُونَ كُنْهَ عَظَمَتِهِ‌ لا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصارُ وَ هُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصارَ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ وَ لَا يُوصَفُ بِكَيْفٍ وَ لَا أَيْنٍ وَ حَيْثٍ وَ كَيْفَ أَصِفُهُ بِالْكَيْفِ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي كَيَّفَ الْكَيْفَ‌[3] حَتَّى صَارَ كَيْفاً فَعَرَفْتُ الْكَيْفَ بِمَا كَيَّفَ لَنَا مِنَ الْكَيْفِ- أَمْ كَيْفَ أَصِفُهُ بِأَي

“Allah is Great and High. People cannot describe Him nor can they reach the depth of His Greatness. ‘ No mortal eyes can see Him, but He can see all eyes. He is All-kind and All-aware.’” (6:103) He cannot be described by means of how and where. How can I describe Him by means of any condition? He Himself has created th

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ جِسْمٌ‌ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1] عَالِمٌ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ قَادِرٌ مُتَكَلِّمٌ نَاطِقٌ وَ الْكَلَامُ وَ الْقُدْرَةُ وَ الْعِلْمُ يَجْرِي مَجْرَى وَاحِدٍ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْهَا مَخْلُوقاً فَقَالَ قَاتَلَهُ اللَّهُ أَ مَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ الْجِسْمَ مَحْدُودٌ وَ الْكَلَامَ غَيْرُ الْمُتَكَلِّمِ مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ وَ أَبْرَأُ إِل

“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

- 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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ تَفْسِيرِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- قَالَ الْبَاءُ بَهَاءُ اللَّهِ وَ السِّينُ سَنَاءُ اللَّهِ وَ الْمِيمُ مَجْدُ اللَّهِ وَ رَوَى بَعْضُهُمْ الْمِيمُ مُلْكُ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ إِلَهُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الرَّحْمَنُ بِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ وَ الرَّحِيمُ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ خَاصَّةً[1].

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the interpretation of ‘In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful.’ (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim) He (the Imam (as)) replied, “B is Baha ’Ullah (the beauty of Allah); and S is Sana ’Ullah (the radiance of Allah); and M is Majdullah (the grandeur of Allah), or ac

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ. لَمْ يَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا يَقُولُ الْمُشَبِّهَةُ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْخَالِقُ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقِ‌[3]- وَ لَا الْمُنْشِئُ مِنَ الْمُنْشَإِ لَكِنَّهُ الْمُنْشِئُ فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ مَنْ جَسَّمَهُ وَ صَوَّرَهُ وَ أَنْشَأَهُ إِذْ كَانَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا يُشْبِهُ ه

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘He (Allah) is the Subtle, All-aware, All-hearing, All-seeing, the One, the Self-sufficient, Who does not have any children, is not any one’s child and there is no one similar to Him. Had Allah been as those believing in similitude (al-Mushabbihah) say there would have been no distinction betw

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

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ عِيسَى شَلَقَانُ‌[4] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَابْتَدَأَنَا فَقَالَ عَجَباً لِأَقْوَامٍ يَدَّعُونَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَمْ يَتَكَلَّمْ بِهِ قَطُّ خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع النَّاسَ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْمُلْهِمِ عِبَادَهُ حَمْدَهُ وَ فَاطِرِهِمْ عَلَى مَعْرِفَةِ رُبُوبِيَّتِهِ الدَّالِّ عَلَى وُجُودِهِ بِخَلْقِهِ وَ بِحُدُوثِ خَلْقِهِ عَلَى أَزَلِهِ وَ

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Shabab al-Sayarafi called Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Ali ibn Sayf from ‘Amira who has said that Isma‘il ibn Qutayba said the following. “I and ‘Isa ibn al-Shalqan went to see Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The Imam said ‘It is strange that a group of people ascribe

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ خَلْقَنَا وَ صَوَّرَنَا فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا عَيْنَهُ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ لِسَانَهُ النَّاطِقَ‌[2] فِي خَلْقِهِ وَ يَدَهُ الْمَبْسُوطَةَ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ بِالرَّأْفَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ وَجْهَهُ الَّذِي يُؤْتَى مِنْهُ وَ بَابَهُ الَّذِي يَدُلُّ عَلَيْهِ وَ خُزَّانَهُ فِي سَمَائِهِ وَ أَرْضِهِ‌[3] بِنَا أَثْمَرَتِ الْأَشْجَارُ وَ أَيْنَعَتِ الثّ

5. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Sa‘id from al-Haytham ibn ‘Abdallah from Marwan ibn Salih who has said that Imam abu ‘Abdallah has said the following. “Allah created us and made it well. He gave us our form and forme

قُلْتُ أَجْبَرَ اللَّهُ الْعِبَادَ عَلَى الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ لَا قُلْتُ فَفَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِمُ الْأَمْرَ قَالَ قَالَ لَا قَالَ قُلْتُ فَمَا ذَا قَالَ لُطْفٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ‌[2].

“I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘Has Allah compelled the servants to sin?’ The Imam replied, ‘No, He has not compelled them.’ I then asked, ‘Has He left all matters to them?’ He replied, ‘No, He has not done so.’ I asked, ‘Then how is it?’ The Imam then said, ‘It is a way of kindness from your Lord in between.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَرْحَمُ بِخَلْقِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يُجْبِرَ خَلْقَهُ عَلَى الذُّنُوبِ ثُمَّ يُعَذِّبَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَ اللَّهُ أَعَزُّ مِنْ أَنْ يُرِيدَ أَمْراً فَلَا يَكُونَ قَالَ فَسُئِلَا ع هَلْ بَيْنَ الْجَبْرِ وَ الْقَدَرِ مَنْزِلَةٌ ثَالِثَةٌ قَالا نَعَمْ أَوْسَعُ مِمَّا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ.

“Allah is more kind to His creatures than to compel them to sin and then punish them. Allah, the Most Majestic, is by far beyond willing something that cannot come into existence.” The two Imams (a.s.) were asked if there was a third reality between compulsion and predetermination. They replied, ‘Yes, there is somethin

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِنَّ بَعْضَ أَصْحَابِنَا يَقُولُ بِالْجَبْرِ وَ بَعْضَهُمْ يَقُولُ‌ بِالاسْتِطَاعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ بِمَشِيئَتِي كُنْتَ أَنْتَ الَّذِي تَشَاءُ وَ بِقُوَّتِي أَدَّيْتَ إِلَيَّ فَرَائِضِي وَ بِنِعْمَتِي قَوِيتَ عَلَى مَعْصِيَتِي جَعَلْتُكَ سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً م

“Once I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Certain persons of our people believe in compulsion and others believe in people’s capabilities. The Imam said, ‘Write down, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, (Imam) Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic has said, ‘O son of Adam,

قَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ إِنَّ مِنْ قَوْلِنَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْتَجُّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ وَ عَرَّفَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولًا وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْكِتَابَ فَأَمَرَ فِيهِ وَ نَهَى أَمَرَ فِيهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ أَنَا أُنِيمُكَ وَ أَنَا أُوقِظُكَ‌ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ فَصَلِّ لِيَعْلَمُوا إِذَا أَصَابَهُمْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ يَصْن

“Once Imam abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Write down.’ He dictated to me the following. ‘It is of our Hadith that Allah will, justifiably, hold people accountable for what He has given and made known to them. Allah then sent His messenger to them and sent down books upon them in which He has commanded and prohibit

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَثْبَتَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ وَ الرُّسُلَ قَالَ إِنَّا لَمَّا أَثْبَتْنَا أَنَّ لَنَا خَالِقاً صَانِعاً مُتَعَالِياً عَنَّا وَ عَنْ جَمِيعِ مَا خَلَقَ وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ الصَّانِعُ حَكِيماً مُتَعَالِياً لَمْ يَجُزْ أَنْ يُشَاهِدَهُ خَلْقُهُ وَ لَا يُلَامِسُوهُ فَيُبَاشِرَهُمْ وَ يُبَاشِرُوهُ وَ يُحَاجَّهُمْ وَ يُحَاجُّوهُ ثَبَتَ أَنَّ لَهُ سُفَرَاءَ فِي خَلْقِهِ يُعَبِّرُونَ عَنْهُ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-‘Abbass ibn ‘Umar al-Qummi from Hisham ibn al-Hakam from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “An atheist asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘How do you prove the truthfulness of the prophets and the messengers?’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is a fact that we have established wi

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

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَا تَقُولُ إِنْ طَرَقَكَ طَارِقٌ مِنَّا أَ تَخْرُجُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَ أَبَاكَ أَوْ أَخَاكَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَأَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ أُجَاهِدُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمَ فَاخْرُجْ مَعِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا مَا أَفْعَلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ

"Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) sent a message to me for a meeting with him when he was in hiding. When I met him, he said, 'O Abu Ja'far, what do you say if someone from us comes to you asking to join us? Will you rise up with him (against the enemies)?' I said, 'If such a person would be your father or brother I w

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- إِنَّما أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَ لِكُلِ‌ قَوْمٍ هادٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ هَلْ مِنْ هَادٍ الْيَوْمَ قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا زَالَ مِنْكُمْ هَادٍ بَعْدَ هَادٍ حَتَّى دُفِعَتْ إِلَيْكَ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَوْ كَانَتْ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ آيَةٌ عَلَى رَجُلٍ ثُمَّ مَاتَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلُ مَاتَتِ الْآيَةُ- مَا

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah: “(Muhammad), you are only a warner, and for every nation there is a guide.” (13:7) He (a.s.) replied, “The Messenger of Allah (sw) is the warner and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) is the guide. O Abu Muhammad, is there a guide today?” I said, “Yes, may All

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع لَقَدْ آتَى اللَّهُ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً قَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ‌ هُمْ بِهِ‌ يُؤْمِنُونَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ أُولئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌ بِما صَبَرُوا[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ آتَاكُمُ اللَّهُ كَمَا آتَاهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ آمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ‌ يُؤْت

“Allah has given a great deal of good to the people of the heavenly books.” The Imam (a.s.) then asked, “What is it?” I then said it said in Holy Quran, “We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed. (28:51) (Some of) the followers of the Bible believe in the Quran (28:52). When it is recited to th

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ مَا يَنْقِمُ النَّاسُ مِنَّا[1] فَنَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.

“What is it obscures us to people? (People do not maintain hostility towards us.) We, I swear by Allah, are the tree of the prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the mine of knowledge and the center wherein angels interchange.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from his father from ‘Adallah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma‘il ibn abu Ziyad from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad (a.s.) from his father (a.s.) from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following. “We, the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Holy Prophet), are the t

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ نَحْنُ شَجَرَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ بَيْتُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ مَفَاتِيحُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَ مَعْدِنُ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَوْضِعُ الرِّسَالَةِ وَ مُخْتَلَفُ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ مَوْضِعُ سِرِّ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ وَدِيعَةُ اللَّهِ فِي عِبَادِهِ وَ نَحْنُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ الْأَكْبَرُ وَ نَحْنُ ذِمَّةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ عَهْدُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِنَا فَقَدْ وَفَى بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ

3. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Adallah ibn Muhammad from al-Kashshab. He has said that a number of our people have narrated from al-Khaythama who has said that abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to him the following. “O Khaythama, we are the tree of prophet-hood, the house of blessings, the

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ الزَّيْدِيَّةِ فَقَالا لَهُ أَ فِيكُمْ إِمَامٌ مُفْتَرَضُ الطَّاعَةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا[3] قَالَ فَقَالا لَهُ قَدْ أَخْبَرَنَا عَنْكَ الثِّقَاتُ أَنَّكَ تُفْتِي وَ تُقِرُّ وَ تَقُولُ بِهِ‌[4] وَ نُسَمِّيهِمْ لَكَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ وَرَعٍ وَ تَشْمِيرٍ[5] وَ هُمْ مِمَّنْ لَا يَكْذِبُ‌[6] فَغَضِبَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ- م

“I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) when two people from the Zaydiyya sect came to him. They asked, 'Is there with you an Imam obedience to whom is obligatory?' The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said, 'No, there no one as such.' They then said, 'Reliable people have informed us about you that you is

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْماً أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ فَمَا أَظْهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْنَاهُ وَ عِلْماً اسْتَأْثَرَ بِهِ فَإِذَا بَدَا لِلَّهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ أَعْلَمَنَا ذَلِكَ وَ عَرَضَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِنَا. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْ

"Indeed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, has two kinds of knowledge: One kind He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers. Whatever He has made apparent to His angels, His prophets, and His messengers, we have learned it. And another kind He has kept exclusively to Himself. So, whenever Allah decid

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْماً عِنْدَهُ لَمْ يُطْلِعْ عَلَيْهِ أَحَداً مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَ عِلْماً نَبَذَهُ إِلَى مَلَائِكَتِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ فَمَا نَبَذَهُ إِلَى مَلَائِكَتِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ فَقَدِ انْتَهَى إِلَيْنَا.

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has two kinds of knowledge. One kind is His only and no creature knows abo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْمٌ مَبْذُولٌ وَ عِلْمٌ‌ مَكْفُوفٌ فَأَمَّا الْمَبْذُولُ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَعْلَمُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ الرُّسُلُ إِلَّا نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُ وَ أَمَّا الْمَكْفُوفُ فَهُوَ الَّذِي عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ إِذَا خَرَجَ نَفَذَ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn al-Sindi from Ja‘far ibn Bashir from Durays who has said that he heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has two kinds of knowledge. One kind is that which is granted and the kind is that which I withheld. Of the one which, is grant

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَيْنِ عِلْمٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُ إِلَّا هُوَ وَ عِلْمٌ عَلَّمَهُ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ فَمَا عَلَّمَهُ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ ع فَنَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُ.

The other kind is that which He has taught to the His angels and His messengers. Whatever His angels and Messengers have learned we know it.”