Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 6

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

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ سَأَلَ نَافِعُ بْنُ الازْرَقِ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الله مَتَى كَانَ فَقَالَ مَتَى لَمْ يَكُنْ حَتَّى أُخْبِرَكَ مَتَى كَانَ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَمْ يَزَلْ وَلا يَزَالُ فَرْداً صَمَداً لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَلا وَلَداً.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Abu Hamzah who has said the following.

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

2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ وَرَاءِ نَهَرِ بَلْخَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَإِنْ أَجَبْتَنِي فِيهَا بِمَا عِنْدِي قُلْتُ بِإِمَامَتِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ وَكَيْفَ كَانَ وَعَلَى أَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ كَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَيَّنَ الايْنَ بِلا أَيْنٍ وَكَيَّفَ الْكَيْفَ بِلا كَيْفٍ وَكَانَ اعْتِمَادُهُ عَلَى قُدْرَتِهِ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ الرَّجُلُ فَقَبَّلَ رَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله وَأَنَّ عَلِيّاً وَصِيُّ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَالْقَيِّمُ بَعْدَهُ بِمَا قَامَ بِهِ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَأَنَّكُمُ الائِمَّةُ الصَّادِقُونَ وَأَنَّكَ الْخَلَفُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ.

2. A group of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr who has said the following. A man from Ma Wara' Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan (a.s.) replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did your Lord come into existence, how has He been and on what did He depend?”

Imam Abul-Hassan (a.s.), replied, “Allah, the Blessed, the Almighty, is the space maker of space, Who Himself is not subject to the effects of any space. He is the maker of How and Himself is not subject to How. He is Self-sufficient with His own power.” The man stood up and kissed the head of the Imam (a.s.) and then said, “I testify that there is no god except Allah and Muhammad (s.a.) is the Messenger of Allah and that Imam Ali (a.s) is the successor of the Messenger of Allah and the Guardian and protector of what the Messenger of Allah has brought from Allah and that your forefathers are the leaders with divine authority and that you are a successor to them.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ رَبِّكَ مَتَى كَانَ فَقَالَ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّمَا يُقَالُ لِشَيْ‏ءٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَتَى كَانَ إِنَّ رَبِّي تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كَانَ وَلَمْ يَزَلْ حَيّاً بِلا كَيْفٍ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كَانَ وَلا كَانَ لِكَوْنِهِ كَوْنُ كَيْفٍ وَلا كَانَ لَهُ أَيْنٌ وَلا كَانَ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا كَانَ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا ابْتَدَعَ لِمَكَانِهِ مَكَاناً وَلا قَوِيَ بَعْدَ مَا كَوَّنَ الاشْيَاءَ وَلا كَانَ ضَعِيفاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُكَوِّنَ شَيْئاً وَلا كَانَ مُسْتَوْحِشاً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَبْتَدِعَ شَيْئاً وَلا يُشْبِهُ شَيْئاً مَذْكُوراً وَلا كَانَ خِلْواً مِنْ الْمُلْكِ قَبْلَ إِنْشَائِهِ وَلا يَكُونُ مِنْهُ خِلْواً بَعْدَ ذَهَابِهِ لَمْ يَزَلْ حَيّاً بِلا حَيَاةٍ وَمَلِكاً قَادِراً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُنْشِئَ شَيْئاً وَمَلِكاً جَبَّاراً بَعْدَ إِنْشَائِهِ لِلْكَوْنِ فَلَيْسَ لِكَوْنِهِ كَيْفٌ وَلا لَهُ أَيْنٌ وَلا لَهُ حَدٌّ وَلا يُعْرَفُ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ يُشْبِهُهُ وَلا يَهْرَمُ لِطُولِ الْبَقَاءِ وَلا يَصْعَقُ لِشَيْ‏ءٍ بَلْ لِخَوْفِهِ تَصْعَقُ الاشْيَاءُ كُلُّهَا كَانَ حَيّاً بِلا حَيَاةٍ حَادِثَةٍ وَلا كَوْنٍ مَوْصُوفٍ وَلا كَيْفٍ مَحْدُودٍ وَلا أَيْنٍ مَوْقُوفٍ عَلَيْهِ وَلا مَكَانٍ جَاوَرَ شَيْئاً بَلْ حَيٌّ يُعْرَفُ وَمَلِكٌ لَمْ يَزَلْ لَهُ الْقُدْرَةُ وَالْمُلْكُ أَنْشَأَ مَا شَاءَ حِينَ شَاءَ بِمَشِيئَتِهِ لا يُحَدُّ وَلا يُبَعَّضُ وَلا يَفْنَى كَانَ أَوَّلاً بِلا كَيْفٍ وَيَكُونُ آخِراً بِلا أَيْنٍ وَكُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلا وَجْهَهُ لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالامْرُ تَبَارَكَ الله رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ وَيْلَكَ أَيُّهَا السَّائِلُ إِنَّ رَبِّي لا تَغْشَاهُ الاوْهَامُ وَلا تَنْزِلُ بِهِ الشُّبُهَاتُ وَلا يَحَارُ وَلا يُجَاوِزُهُ شَيْ‏ءٌ وَلا تَنْزِلُ بِهِ الاحْدَاثُ وَلا يُسْأَلُ عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا يَنْدَمُ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الارْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى.

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

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْيَهُودُ إِلَى رَأْسِ الْجَالُوتِ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ عَالِمٌ يَعْنُونَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) 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 بِلا كَيْنُونِيَّةٍ كَانَ بِلا كَيْفٍ كَانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ بِلا كَمٍّ وَبِلا كَيْفٍ كَانَ لَيْسَ لَهُ قَبْلٌ هُوَ قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلا قَبْلٍ وَلا غَايَةٍ وَلا مُنْتَهًى انْقَطَعَتْ عَنْهُ الْغَايَةُ وَهُوَ غَايَةُ كُلِّ غَايَةٍ فَقَالَ رَأْسُ الْجَالُوتِ امْضُوا بِنَا فَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ مِمَّا يُقَالُ فِيهِ.

4. A group of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu‘ manner has said the following.

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

5ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْمَوْصِلِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ جَاءَ حِبْرٌ مِنَ الاحْبَارِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَتَى كَانَ رَبُّكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ وَمَتَى لَمْ يَكُنْ حَتَّى يُقَالَ مَتَى كَانَ كَانَ رَبِّي قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلا قَبْلٍ وَبَعْدَ الْبَعْدِ بِلا بَعْدٍ وَلا غَايَةَ وَلا مُنْتَهَى لِغَايَتِهِ انْقَطَعَتِ الْغَايَاتُ عِنْدَهُ فَهُوَ مُنْتَهَى كُلِّ غَايَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ فَنَبِيٌّ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِ مُحَمَّدٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَرُوِيَ أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَيْنَ كَانَ رَبُّنَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ سَمَاءً وَأَرْضاً فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَيْنَ سُؤَالٌ عَنْ مَكَانٍ وَكَانَ الله وَلا مَكَانَ.

5. It is narrated, through the same chain of narrators and source, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr from abu al-Hassan al-Muwsali from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following.

“One of the Jewish rabbis (hibr) came to Imam Ali (a.s.), and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, when did your Lord come into existence?’” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Bereft of you be your mother! When has Allah not been (in existence), so that it could be said when did He come into existence. My Lord existed before any before without being before. He is after every after, without being after. There is no finale destination or end for Him. All ends fall short before Him. He is the final destination of all goals.” He further asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, are you a prophet?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Hold it there. I am one of the slaves of Muhammad,(s.a.) the Messenger of Allah.”

It has also been narrated that someone asked Imam Ali (a.s.) this.

“Where was our Lord before the creation of the heavens and the earth?” Imam Ali (a.s.) replied, “Where is a question about space. Allah has been there before there was space.”

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَأْسُ الْجَالُوتِ لِلْيَهُودِ إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِنْ أَجْدَلِ النَّاسِ وَأَعْلَمِهِمْ اذْهَبُوا بِنَا إِلَيْهِ لَعَلِّي أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وَأُخَطِّئُهُ 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 يُقَالُ مَتَى كَانَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فَكَانَ مَتَى كَانَ هُوَ كَائِنٌ بِلا كَيْنُونِيَّةٍ كَائِنٍ كَانَ بِلا كَيْفٍ يَكُونُ بَلَى يَا يَهُودِيُّ ثُمَّ بَلَى يَا يَهُودِيُّ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ لَهُ قَبْلٌ هُوَ قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلا غَايَةٍ وَلا مُنْتَهَى غَايَةٍ وَلا غَايَةَ إِلَيْهَا انْقَطَعَتِ الْغَايَاتُ عِنْدَهُ هُوَ غَايَةُ كُلِّ غَايَةٍ فَقَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ دِينَكَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا خَالَفَهُ بَاطِلٌ.

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

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَ كَانَ الله وَلا شَيْ‏ءَ قَالَ نَعَمْ كَانَ وَلا شَيْ‏ءَ قُلْتُ فَأَيْنَ كَانَ يَكُونُ قَالَ وَكَانَ مُتَّكِئاً فَاسْتَوَى جَالِساً وَقَالَ أَحَلْتَ يَا زُرَارَةُ وَسَأَلْتَ عَنِ الْمَكَانِ إِذْ لا مَكَانَ.

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

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْوَلِيدِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْمَوْصِلِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ أَتَى حِبْرٌ مِنَ الاحْبَارِ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَتَى كَانَ رَبُّكَ قَالَ وَيْلَكَ إِنَّمَإ؛ّّ يُقَالُ مَتَى كَانَ لِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فَأَمَّا مَا كَانَ فَلا يُقَالُ مَتَى كَانَ كَانَ قَبْلَ الْقَبْلِ بِلا قَبْلٍ وَبَعْدَ الْبَعْدِ بِلا بَعْدٍ وَلا مُنْتَهَى غَايَةٍ لِتَنْتَهِيَ غَايَتُهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ نَبِيٌّ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ لامِّكَ الْهَبَلُ إِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه )

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

Chapter 7

Chapter On The relationships (Nisbah) Of Allah

1ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْيَهُودَ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالُوا انْسِبْ لَنَا رَبَّكَ فَلَبِثَ ثَلاثاً لا يُجِيبُهُمْ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتْ قُلْ هُوَ الله أَحَدٌ إِلَى آخِرِهَا.

وَرَوَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ.

1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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 neither begets nor was He begotten (112:3). There is no one equal to Him (112:4).

The same Hadith has been narrated by Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Ayyub.

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو النَّصِيبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله عَنْ قُلْ هُوَ الله أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ نِسْبَةُ الله إِلَى خَلْقِهِ أَحَداً صَمَداً أَزَلِيّاً صَمَدِيّاً لا ظِلَّ لَهُ يُمْسِكُهُ وَهُوَ يُمْسِكُ الاشْيَاءَ بِأَظِلَّتِهَا عَارِفٌ بِالْمَجْهُولِ مَعْرُوفٌ عِنْدَ كُلِّ جَاهِلٍ فَرْدَانِيّاً لا خَلْقُهُ فِيهِ وَلا هُوَ فِي خَلْقِهِ غَيْرُ مَحْسُوسٍ وَلا مَجْسُوسٍ لا تُدْرِكُهُ الابْصَارُ عَلا فَقَرُبَ وَدَنَا فَبَعُدَ وَعُصِيَ فَغَفَرَ وَأُطِيعَ فَشَكَرَ لا تَحْوِيهِ أَرْضُهُ وَلا تُقِلُّهُ سَمَاوَاتُهُ حَامِلُ الاشْيَاءِ بِقُدْرَتِهِ دَيْمُومِيٌّ أَزَلِيٌّ لا يَنْسَى وَلا يَلْهُو وَلا يَغْلَطُ وَلا يَلْعَبُ وَلا لارَادَتِهِ فَصْلٌ وَفَصْلُهُ جَزَاءٌ وَأَمْرُهُ وَاقِعٌ لَمْ يَلِدْ فَيُورَثَ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ فَيُشَارَكَ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ibn Mahbub from Hammad ibn 'Amr al-Nusaybi who has said the following.

“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 unknown and is known to every ignorant person. He is only One. He is not in His creatures and His creatures are not in Him. He does not feel nor others can feel Him (physically). Eyes cannot see Him. He is so High that is near and is so near that He is far. Although disobeyed, yet He forgives. When obeyed, He is appreciative. His earth does not contain Him, nor do His heavens bear Him. He holds all things through His power and He is Everlasting and Eternal. He does not forget or amuse Himself. He does not make any mistakes or play. There is no lapse in His will. His judgment is rewarding and His commands are effective. He does not have a child to become His heir nor is He begotten so His power would be shared. And there is no one like Him.”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ قَالَ قَالَ سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ أَقْوَامٌ مُتَعَمِّقُونَ فَأَنْزَلَ الله تَعَالَى قُلْ هُوَ الله أَحَدٌ وَالايَاتِ مِنْ سُورَةِ الْحَدِيدِ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌ بِذاتِ الصُّدُورِ فَمَنْ رَامَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ هَلَكَ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asim ibn Hamiyd who has said the following.

“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 twelve of the holy Quran that speak of the Oneness of Allah. He has also revealed the verses of the chapter fifty seven of the holy Quran

In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

All that is in the heavens and the earth speak of the glory of God. He is Majestic and All-wise (57:1). To Him belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes things to die. He has power over all things (57:2). He is the First, the Last, the Manifest, and the Unseen and He knows all things (57:3).

It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established His Dominion over the Throne. He knows whatever enters into the earth, what comes out of it, what descends from the sky, and what ascends to it. He is with you wherever you may be and He is Well Aware of what you do (57:4).

To Him belong the heavens and the earth and to Him all things return (57:5). He causes night to enter into day and day into night. He knows best what all hearts contain (57:6).

Whoever would accept any thing otherwise he is destroyed.”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله رَفَعَهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ الْمُهْتَدِي قَالَ سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنِ التَّوْحِيدِ فَقَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ الله أَحَدٌ وَآمَنَ بِهَا فَقَدْ عَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدَ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَقْرَأُهَا قَالَ كَمَا يَقْرَأُهَا النَّاسُ وَزَادَ فِيهِ كَذَلِكَ الله رَبِّي كَذَلِكَ الله رَبِّي.

4. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah in a marfu‘ manner has narrated from 'Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi who has said the following.

“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 (112:4). and also believes in it, he has really acknowledged the Oneness of Allah.” I asked, “How should I recite it (the chapter 112)?” The Imam replied, “Recite it as the people do.” And then the Imam added, “Such is Allah, my Lord. Such is Allah, my Lord.”

Chapter 8

Chapter On Prohibition on Saying How is Allah (al-Kayfiyyah)

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) تَكَلَّمُوا فِي خَلْقِ الله وَلا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الله فَإِنَّ الْكَلامَ فِي الله لا يَزْدَادُ صَاحِبَهُ إِلا تَحَيُّراً.

وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ تَكَلَّمُوا فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَلا تَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي ذَاتِ الله.

1. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu Basir From Imam abu Ja‘ far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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 self.”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَجَّاجِ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ وَأَنَّ إِلى‏ رَبِّكَ الْمُنْتَهى‏ فَإِذَا انْتَهَى الْكَلامُ إِلَى الله فَأَمْسِكُوا.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘Umayr from 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj from Sulayman ibn Khalid from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following.

“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.”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ لا يَزَالُ بِهِمُ الْمَنْطِقُ حَتَّى يَتَكَلَّمُوا فِي الله فَإِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ ذَلِكَ فَقُولُوا لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله الْوَاحِدُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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.’”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حُمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ الْحَذَّاءِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا زِيَادُ إِيَّاكَ وَالْخُصُومَاتِ فَإِنَّهَا تُورِثُ الشَّكَّ وَتَهْبِطُ الْعَمَلَ وَتُرْدِي صَاحِبَهَا وَعَسَى أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ بِالشَّيْ‏ءِ فَلا يُغْفَرَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِيمَا مَضَى قَوْمٌ تَرَكُوا عِلْمَ مَا وُكِّلُوا بِهِ وَطَلَبُوا عِلْمَ مَا كُفُوهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى كَلامُهُمْ إِلَى الله فَتَحَيَّرُوا حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ لَيُدْعَى مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ فَيُجِيبُ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَيُدْعَى مِنْ خَلْفِهِ فَيُجِيبُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى حَتَّى تَاهُوا فِي الارْضِ.

4. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad ibn Humran from abu ‘Ubaydah (Ziyad ibn ‘Isa) al-Hadhdha’ from Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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. They came to speak of Allah’s self and they became confused. Their extreme perplexity was such that if called from the front they would reply to the back and to the front if called from the back.’”

In another Hadith it reads, “They totally banished on earth.”

5ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ الْمَيَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ مَنْ نَظَرَ فِي الله كَيْفَ هُوَ هَلَكَ.

5. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from some of his people from al-Husayn ibn al-Mayyah from his father from Imam abu ‘Abdallh (a.s.) who has said the following.

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

6ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ مَلِكاً عَظِيمَ الشَّأْنِ كَانَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ لَهُ فَتَنَاوَلَ الرَّبَّ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَفُقِدَ فَمَا يُدْرَى أَيْنَ هُوَ.

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurarah ibn A’yun from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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.”

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالتَّفَكُّرَ فِي الله وَلَكِنْ إِذَا أَرَدْتُمْ أَنْ تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى عَظَمَتِهِ فَانْظُرُوا إِلَى عَظِيمِ خَلْقِهِ.

7. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn 'Abdal Hamid from al-‘Ala' ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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.”

8ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ أَكَلَ قَلْبَكَ طَائِرٌ لَمْ يُشْبِعْهُ وَبَصَرُكَ لَوْ وُضِعَ عَلَيْهِ خَرْقُ إِبْرَةٍ لَغَطَّاهُ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ بِهِمَا مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالارْضِ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَهَذِهِ الشَّمْسُ خَلْقٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ الله فَإِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ تَمْلا عَيْنَيْكَ مِنْهَا فَهُوَ كَمَا تَقُولُ.

8. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah in a marfu‘ manner has narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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 you can do so, there is the sun, one of creatures of Allah. If your eyes can see the sun fully you then may think that you are right.”

9ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْيَعْقُوبِيِّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ عَبْدِ الاعْلَى مَوْلَى آلِ سَامٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ يَهُودِيّاً يُقَالُ لَهُ سِبَخْتُ جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ الله جِئْتُ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ رَبِّكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ أَجَبْتَنِي عَمَّا أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْهُ وَإِلا رَجَعْتُ قَالَ سَلْ عَمَّا شِئْتَ قَالَ أَيْنَ رَبُّكَ قَالَ هُوَ فِي كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَلَيْسَ فِي شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الْمَكَانِ الْمَحْدُودِ قَالَ وَكَيْفَ هُوَ قَالَ وَكَيْفَ أَصِفُ رَبِّي بِالْكَيْفِ وَالْكَيْفُ مَخْلُوقٌ وَالله لا يُوصَفُ بِخَلْقِهِ قَالَ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ يُعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ نَبِيُّ الله قَالَ فَمَا بَقِيَ حَوْلَهُ حَجَرٌ وَلا غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ إِلا تَكَلَّمَ بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُبِينٍ يَا سِبَخْتُ إِنَّهُ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ سِبَخْتُ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ أَمْراً أَبْيَنَ مِنْ هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَنَّكَ رَسُولُ الله.

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Ali from al-Ba'qubi (Dawud ibn Ali al-Hashimi) from some of our people from 'Abd al-‘Ala' Mawla Ala Sam from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“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 not confined in any limited space.”

He asked, “How is He?”

The Prophet replied, “How can I describe my Lord by means of conditions that are created. Allah cannot be describe by His creation.”

The Jew asked further, “What is the proof that you are the Messenger of Allah?”

The Imam said, “At this point nothing remained around him (the Jew), the stones and all other things, but that they spoke in clear Arabic language, ‘O Sabhut he (Muhammad) is the Messenger of Allah.’

Sabhut said, “I have not seen anything so clearly as this today.” And then he declared, “I testify that there is no god but Allah and you are the Messenger of Allah.”

10ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى الْخَثْعَمِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَتِيكٍ الْقَصِيرِ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الصِّفَةِ فَرَفَعَ يَدَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ قَالَ تَعَالَى الْجَبَّارُ تَعَالَى الْجَبَّارُ مَنْ تَعَاطَى مَا ثَمَّ هَلَكَ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khath‘ami from 'Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Utayk al-Qasir who has said the following.

“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.’”