Al-Tawḥīd

18 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن محمد بن عمران الدقاق رحمه الله، قال: حدثنا محمد بأبي عبد الله الكوفي، قال: حدثنا محمد بن إسماعيل البرمكي، عن علي بن العباس، عن الحسن بن راشد، عن يعقوب بن جعفر الجعفري، عن أبي إبراهيم موسى بن جعفر عليهما السلام، قال: ذكر عنده قوم يزعمون أن الله تبارك و تعالى ينزل إلى السماء الدنيا، فقال: إن الله تبارك وتعالى لا ينزل، ولا يحتاج إلى أن ينزل، إنما منظره في القرب والبعد سواء، لم يبعد منه قريب، ولم يقرب منه بعيد ولم يحتج بل يحتاج إليه، وهو ذو الطول، لا إله إلا هو العزيز الحكيم أما قول الواصفين: إنه تبارك وتعالى ينزل فإنما يقول ذلك من ينسبه إلى نقص أو زيادة - وكل متحرك محتاج إلى من يحركه أو يتحرك به فظن بالله الظنون فهلك، فاحذروا في صفاته من أن تقفوا له على حد تحدوه بنقص أو زيادة أو تحرك أو زوال أو نهوض أو قعود، فإن الله جل عن صفة الواصفين، ونعت الناعتين، و توهم المتوهمين، وتوكل على العزيز الرحيم الذي يراك حين تقوم وتقلبك في الساجدين.

18. `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Imran al-Daqqaq (RA) said: Muhammad ibn Abu `Abd Allah al-Kufi said: Muhammad ibn Isma`il al-Barmaki said, on the authority of `Ali ibn al`Abbas, on the authority of al-Hasan ibn Rashid, on the authority of Ya`qub ibn Ja`far al-Ja`fari that Abu Ibrahim Musa ibn Ja`far (AS) said: A group of people were mentioned before him (AS) who claimed that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, comes down to the Heaven of this world. He therefore replied, Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, does not come down, and does not need to come down. Verily, for Him both Close and Far are alike. What is close is not far from Him, and what is far is not close to Him. He is never in need, but everything is in need of Him. He is the Almighty. There is no god but He, the Honorable, the All-Wise. As for the statement of the attributers: “Verily, He, the Blessed and Exalted, comes down,” the only ones who say such a thing are those who describe Him in terms of decrease and increase. Every moving thing requires something that moves it or by which it is moved. Thus, they assumed with Allah assumptions; hence, they were destroyed. So beware of limiting Him or seeing boundaries for Him such as decrease and increase, motion and decline, or rising and sitting. For, verily, Allah is loftier than the attribute of the attributers, the description of the describers, and the imagination of the imaginers! Rely on the Honorable, the Most Merciful, who sees you when you stand, when you bend, and when you prostrate.

19 - وبهذا الإسناد عن الحسن بن راشد، عن يعقوب بن جعفر، عن أبي إبراهيم عليه السلام أنه قال: لا أقول: إنه قائم فأزيله عن مكانه، ولا أحده بمكان يكون فيه، ولا أحده أن يتحرك في شئ من الأركان والجوارح، ولا أحده بلفظ شق فم، ولكن كما قال تبارك وتعالى: (كن فيكون) بمشيته من غير تردد في نفس، فرد، صمد لم يحتج إلى شريك يكون له في ملكه، ولا يفتح له أبواب علمه .

19. And with this chain of narration, on the authority of al-Hasan ibn Rashid, on the authority of Ya`qub ibn Ja`far, that Abu Ibrahim al-Kadhim (AS) said: I do not say: Verily, He is definite so I remove Him from His place, nor do I bound Him to a place that He may be confined to it. Nor do I set Him a boundary that He may move within something with support or by means of limbs. Nor do I limit Him with words that are thrust from the mouth. The Blessed and Exalted says: “Be and it is,” by His Will, and without any hesitation in desire, the Peerless, the Needless. He is not in need of an associate in His Sovereignty, nor an associate to open the doors of His Knowledge for Him.

20 - حدثنا محمد بن أحمد السناني رضي الله عنه، قال: حدثنا محمد بن أبي عبد الله الأسدي الكوفي، عن موسى بن عمران النخعي، عن عمه الحسين بن يزيد النوفلي، عن علي بن سالم، عن أبي بصير، عن أبي عبد الله الصادق عليه السلام، قال: إن الله تبارك وتعالى لا يوصف بزمان ولا مكان ولا حركة ولا انتقال ولا سكون، بل هو خالق الزمان والمكان والحركة والسكون، تعالى الله عما يقولون علوا كبيرا.

20. Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Sinani (RA) said: Muhammad ibn Abu `Abd Allah al-Asadi al-Kufi said, on the authority of Musa ibn `Imran al-Nakha`I, on the authority of his paternal uncle al-Husayn ibn Yazid al-Nawfali, on the authority of `Ali ibn Saim, on the authority of Abu Basir that Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) said: “Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, cannot be described in terms of space, motion, translocation or stillness. Rather, He is the Creator of time, space, motion and stillness. Exalted is Allah from what they say, the Elevated, the Great.

21 - حدثنا أبو الحسين محمد بن إبراهيم بن إسحاق العزائمي، قال: حدثنا أبو سعيد أحمد بن محمد بن رميح النسوي، قال: أخبرنا عبد العزيز بن إسحاق، قال: حدثني جعفر بن محمد الحسني، قال: حدثنا محمد بن علي بن خلف العطار، قال: حدثنا بشر بن الحسن المرادي، عن عبد القدوس وهو ابن حبيب، عن أبي إسحاق السبيعي، عن الحارث الأعور، عن علي بن أبي طالب عليه السلام أنه دخل السوق، فإذا هو برجل موليه ظهره يقول: لا والذي احتجب بالسبع، فضرب علي عليه السلام ظهره، ثم قال: من الذي احتجب بالسبع؟ قال: الله يا أمير المؤمنين، قال: أخطأت ثكلتك أمك، إن الله عز وجل ليس بينه وبين خلقه حجاب لأنه معهم أينما كانوا، قال: ما كفارة ما قلت يا أمير المؤمنين؟ قال: أن تعلم أن الله معك حيث كنت، قال: أطعم المساكين؟ قال: لا إنما حلفت بغير ربك.

21. Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-`Aza’mi said: Abu Sa`id Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Rumayh al-Nisawi said: `Abd al-`Aziz ibn Ishaq reported to us that Ja`far ibn Muhammad al-Hasani related to me that Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Khalaf al-`Attar said: Bishr ibn al-Hasan al-Muradi said, on the authority of `Abd al-Quddus who is the son of Hubayb, on the authority of Abu Ishaq al-Sab`I, on the authority of al-Harith al-A`war that `Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) entered the market. A man had his back turned towards him and was saying, “No, I swear by the One Hidden over the seven heavens.” Consequently, `Ali (AS) tapped him on his back, and asked him: “Who is hidden over the seven heavens?” He replied, “Allah, O Commander of the Faithful!” He (AS) responded, “You are wrong. May your mother grieve you! Verily, there is no veil between Allah, the Mighty and High, and His Creation, because He is with them wherever they may be.” He asked, “What is the penalty of what I have said: O Commander of the Faithful?” He (AS) replied, “That you should know that Allah is with you wherever you are” He asked: “Should I feed the poor?” Imam `Ali (AS) replied, “No, for verily, you have sworn by other than your Lord.”

22 - حدثنا أبو الحسين محمد بن إبراهيم بن إسحاق الفارسي، قال: حدثني أبو سعيد الرميحي، قال: أخبرنا عبد العزيز بن إسحاق، قال: حدثني محمد بن عيسى بن هارون الواسطي، قال: حدثنا محمد بن زكريا المكي، قال: أخبرني منيف مولى جعفر بن محمد، قال: حدثني سيدي جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه، عن جده عليهم السلام قال: كان الحسن بن علي بن أبي طالب عليهما السلام، يصلي، فمر بين يديه رجل فنهاه بعض جلسائه، فلما انصرف من صلاته قال له: لم نهيت الرجل؟ قال: يا ابن رسول الله حظر فيما بينك وبين المحراب، فقال: ويحك إن الله عز وجل أقرب إلي من أن يخطر فيما بيني وبينه أحد. باب أسماء الله تعالى والفرق بين معانيها وبين معاني أسماء المخلوقين

22. Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Farisi said: Abu Sa`id al-Rumayhi related to me that `Abd al-`Aziz ibn Ishaq reported to us that Muhammad ibn Muni slave of Ja`far ibn Muhammad (AS) reported to me that my Master Ja`far ibn Muhammad (AS) related to me, on the authority of his father (AS), on the authority of his grandfather (AS) that A man passed in front of al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS) while he was praying and one of the people in his gathering stopped him. When he (AS) finished his prayer, he asked the man: “Why did you stop him?” He answered: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! He passed between you and the prayer niche [mihrab].” Thus, he (AS) replied, “Woe unto you! Verily, Allah, the Mighty and High, is closer to me from anyone passing between me and Him.”

1 - حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه رحمه الله، قال: حدثنا علي بن إبراهيم ابن هاشم، عن المختار بن محمد بن المختار الهمداني، عن الفتح بن يزيد الجرجاني عن أبي الحسن عليه السلام قال: سمعته يقول: هو اللطيف الخبير السميع البصير، الواحد الأحد الصمد إلي لم يلد ولم يولد ولم يكن له كفوا أحد، منشئ الأشياء ومجسم الأجسام ومصور الصور، لو كان كما يقولون لم يعرف الخالق من المخلوق، ولا المنشئ من المنشأ، لكنه المنشئ، فرق بين من جسمه وصوره وأنشأه وبينه إذ كان لا يشبهه شئ ولا يشبه هو شيئا، قلت: أجل، جعلني الله فداك، لكنك قلت: الأحد الصمد، وقلت: لا يشبه هو شيئا، والله واحد والإنسان واحد، ليس قد تشابهت الوحدانية؟! قال: يا فتح أحلت ثبتك الله، إنما التشبيه في المعاني، فأما في الأسماء فهي واحدة، وهي دلالة على المسمى، وذلك أن الإنسان وإن قيل واحد فإنما يخبر أنه جثة واحدة وليس باثنين، فالإنسان نفسه ليس بواحد، لأن أعضاءه مختلفة وألوانه مختلفة غير واحدة، وهو أجزاء مجزأة ليس بسواء، دمه غير لحمه ولحمه غير دمه، وعصبه غير عروقه، وشعره غير بشره، وسواده غير بياضه وكذلك سائر الخلق، فالإنسان واحد في الاسم لا واحد في المعنى، والله جل جلاله هو واحد في المعنى، لا واحد غيره، لا اختلاف فيه ولا تفاوت ولا زيادة ولا نقصان فأما الإنسان المخلوق المصنوع المؤلف من أجزاء مختلفة وجواهر شتى غير أنه بالاجتماع شئ واحد، قلت: جعلت فداك فرجت عني فرج الله عنك، فقولك: (اللطيف الخبير) فسره لي كما فسرت الواحد، فإني أعلم أن لطفه على خلاف لطف خلقه للفصل، غير أني أحب أن تشرح ذلك لي، فقال: يا فتح إنما قلنا: اللطيف، للخلق اللطيف، ولعلمه بالشئ اللطيف، أولا ترى وفقك الله وثبتك إلى أثر صنعه في النبات اللطيف وغير اللطيف وفي الخلق اللطيف من الحيوان الصغار من البعوض والجرجس وما هو أصغر منهما مما لا يكاد تستبينه العيون، بل لا يكاد يستبان لصغره الذكر من الأنثى والحدث المولود من القديم، فلما رأينا صغر ذلك في لطفه، واهتدائه للسفاد، والهرب من الموت، والجمع لما يصلحه مما في لجج البحار وما في لحاء الأشجار والمفاوز والقفار، وفهم بعضها عن بعض منطقها، وما يفهم به أولادها عنها، ونقلها الغذاء إليها، ثم تأليف ألوانها حمرة مع صفرة، وبياض مع حمرة، وما لا تكاد عيوننا تستبينه بتمام خلقها ولا تراه عيوننا ولا تلمسه أيدينا. علمنا أن خالق هذا الخلق لطيف، لطف في خلق ما سميناه بلا علاج ولا أداة ولا آله، وإن صانع كل شئ فمن شئ صنع والله الخالق اللطيف الجليل خلق وصنع لا من شئ .

‫‪1. Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Majilwayh (may Allah have mercy on him) said: `Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn‬‬ ‫‪Hashim said, on the authority of al-Mukhtar ibn Muhammad ibn al-Mukhtar al-Hamdani said,‬‬ ‫‪on the authority of al-Fath ibn Yazid al-Jurjani, that‬‬ I heard Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (AS) say: He is the Subtle, the All-Aware, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the One, the Unique, the Needless, who begets not nor is begotten, and there is none like unto Him. He is the Producer of all Things, the Former of Bodies, and the Maker of Images. If He was as they say, then the Creator would not be distinguished from the created, nor the Producer from the production. However, He is the Producer. The difference between Him and bodes and images I that he created them, and there is nothing like unto Him. I asked, “By all means. May Allah make me your ransom! However, you said: `The Alone, the Needless’ and you also said: `He is not like anything.’ If Allah is One, and man is one, are they not similar in unity?” He (AS) replied, O Fath! You paid attention, may Allah secure you! Verily, the similarity is limited to meaning. Identifiers are merely means of identifying the identified. If it is said that there is one man, it means that there is one body, as opposed to two. However, although we say that man is one, he is not truly one, as he has different body parts and different colors. Although we say that he is one, he is composed of many different parts which are not he same. His blood is other than his flesh, his flesh is other than his blood, his nerves are other than his veins, his hair is other than his skin, and the darkness of his skin is other than the paleness of his skin. Likewise is the rest of creation. Thus, the human being is “one” in name, but he is other than “one” in meaning. Not only is Allah, lofty be His Majesty, One in name, He is also One in meaning as there is none other than Him. There is no variation in Him, no contrast, nor any increase or decrease. As a crated being, the human being is composed of different parts and substances. H e is one “one” in combination. I enquired: “You have relieved me. May Allah relieve you! As for your statement: `The Subtle, All-Aware,’ could you explain it to me as you explained to me the meaning of `the One.’ I really need to know how His Subtlety is different from the subtlety of His Creation. I would surely appreciate it if you could explain that to me.” Therefore, he (AS) answered: O Fath! We had said: He is the Subtle due to the delicate nature of His Creation, and for His Knowledge of tiny things. Do you not see, may Allah help you and secure you, the effect of His Making in soft and hard plants? And do you not see in the delicate creation of tiny insects like the mosquito, the gnat, and that which is smaller than these two, and are almost not evident to the (naked) eyes? In fact, due to their small size, it is virtually impossible to differentiate between the male and the female, and between the young and the old. Thus, we come to know that the Creator is Subtle in His Creation when we see the smallness of creatures in their refinement, their guidance out of decay, and their fleeing from death. We come to know that the Creator is Subtle when we contemplate the creatures found teeming in the depths of the ocean, on the branches of trees, and in the deserts and barren lands. We come to know the Creator is Subtle when we contemplate how species communicate with one another using various forms of communication, permitting them to communicate with their offspring. We come to know that the Creator is Subtle when we contemplate how creatures provide food to their offspring, and how they are distinguished by colors, red with yellow, white with red, and with what we can barely see with our eyes due to its small size. We come to know that the Creator is Subtle when we contemplate the creatures that our eyes cannot see and our hands cannot touch. He created the world in subtlety without planning, without instruments, and without tools. Verily, the founder of anything founded it on the basis of another. However, Allah, the Creator, the Subtle, and the Sublime, created everything out of nothing.

2 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن محمد بن عمران الدقاق رحمه الله قال: حدثنا محمد بن يعقوب الكليني، قال: حدثنا علي بن محمد، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن الحسين ابن خالد، عن أبي الحسن الرضا عليه السلام أنه قال: إعلم - علمك الله الخير - أن الله تبارك وتعالى قديم، والقدم صفة دلت العاقل على أنه لا شئ قبله ولا شئ معه في ديموميته، فقد بان لنا بإقرار العامة مع معجزة الصفة لا شئ قبل الله ولا شئ مع الله في بقائه وبطل قول من زعم أنه كان قبله أو كان معه شئ وذلك أنه لو كان معه شئ فبقائه لم يجز أن يكون خالقا له لأنه لم يزل معه: فكيف يكون خالقا لمن لم يزل معه، ولو كان قبله شئ كان الأول ذلك الشئ لا هذا، وكان الأول أولى بأن يكون خالقا للأول الثاني . ثم وصف نفسه تبارك وتعالى بأسماء دعا الخلق إذ خلقهم وتعبدهم وابتلاهم إلى أن يدعوه بها، فسمى نفسه سميعا بصيرا قادرا قائما ظاهرا باطنا لطيفا خبيرا قويا عزيزا حكيما عليما وما أشبه هذه الأسماء، فلما رأى ذلك من أسمائه الغالون المكذبون وقد سمعونا نحدث عن الله أنه لا شئ مثله ولا شئ من الخلق في حاله قالوا: أخبرونا إذ زعمتم أنه لا مثل لله ولا شبه له كيف شاركتموه في أسمائه الحسنى فتسميتم بجميعها؟! فإن في ذلك دليلا على أنكم مثله في حالاته كلها أو في بعضها دون بعض، إذ جمعتكم الأسماء الطيبة، قيل لهم: إن الله تبارك وتعالى ألزم العباد أسماء من أسمائه على اختلاف المعاني وذلك كما يجمع الاسم الواحد معنيين مختلفين، والدليل على ذلك قول الناس الجائز عندهم الشائع، وهو الذي خاطب الله به الخلق وكلمهم بما يعقلون ليكون عليهم حجة في تضييع ما ضيعوا، وقد يقال للرجل: كلب وحمار وثور وسكرة وعلقمة وأسد، وكل ذلك على خلافه وحالاته لم تقع الأسامي على معانيها التي كانت بنيت عليها، لأن الإنسان ليس بأسد ولا كلب، فافهم ذلك رحمك الله. وإنما نسمي الله بالعلم بغير علم حادث علم به الأشياء، واستعان به على حفظ ما يستقبل من أمره والروية فيما يخلق من خلقه، وبعينه ما مضى مما أفنى من خلقه مما لو لم يحضره ذلك العلم ويعنه كان جاهلا ضعيفا كما أنا رأينا علماء الخلق أنما سموا بالعلم لعلم حادث إذ كانوا قبله جهلة، وربما فارقهم العلم بالأشياء فصاروا إلى الجهل وإنما سمي الله عالما لأنه لا يجهل شيئا، فقد جمع الخالق والمخلوق اسم العلم واختلف المعنى على ما رأيت، وسمى ربنا سميعا لا بجزء فيه يسمع به الصوت ولا يبصر به، كما أن جزءنا الذي نسمع به لا نقوى على النظر به، ولكنه أخبر أنه لا يخفى عليه الأصوات، ليس على حد ما سمينا نحن، فقد جمعنا الاسم بالسميع واختلف المعنى، وهكذا البصر لا بجزء به أبصر، كما أنا نبصر بجزء منا لا ننتفع به في غيره، ولكن الله بصير لا يجهل شخصا منظورا إليه، فقد جمعنا الاسم واختلف المعنى، وهو قائم ليس على معنى انتصاب وقيام على ساق في كبد كما قامت الأشياء ولكن أخبر أنه قائم، يخبر أنه حافظ، كقولك: الرجل القائم بأمرنا فلان، وهو قائم على كل نفس بما كسبت، والقائم أيضا في كلام الناس الباقي، والقائم أيضا يخبر عن الكفاية، كقولك للرجل قم بأمر فلان أي اكفه، والقائم منا قائم على ساق، فقد جمعنا الاسم ولم يجمعنا المعنى، وأما اللطيف فليس على قلة وقضافة وصغر، ولكن ذلك على النفاذ في الأشياء والامتناع من أن يدرك، كقولك لطف عني هذا الأمر، ولطف فلان في مذهبه وقوله يخبرك أنه غمض فبهر العقل وفات الطلب وعاد متعمقا متلطفا لا يدركه الوهم، فهكذا لطف الله، تبارك وتعالى عن أن يدرك بحد أو يحد بوصف، واللطافة منا الصغر و القلة، فقد جمعنا الاسم واختلف المعنى، وأما الخبير فالذي لا يعزب عنه شئ ولا يفوته شئ، ليس للتجربة ولا للاعتبار بالأشياء فيفيده التجربة والاعتبار علما لولاهما ما علم، لأن من كان كذلك كان جاهلا، والله لم يزل خبيرا بما يخلق والخبير من الناس المستخبر عن جهل المتعلم، وقد جمعنا الاسم واختلف المعنى، وأما الظاهر فليس من أجل أنه علا الأشياء بركوب فوقها، وقعود عليها، وتسنم لذراها، ولكن ذلك لقهره ولغلبته الأشياء ولقدرته عليها كقوله الرجل: ظهرت على أعدائي وأظهرني الله على خصمي، يخبر عن الفلج والغلبة، فهكذا ظهور الله على الأعداء . ووجه آخر أنه الظاهر لمن أراده، لا يخفى عليه شئ وأنه مدبر لكل ما برأ، فأي ظاهر أظهره وأوضح من الله تعالى، وإنك لا تعدم صنعه حيثما توجهت، وفيك من آثاره ما يغنيك، والظاهر منا البارز بنفسه والمعلوم بحده، فقد جمعنا الاسم ولم يجمعنا المعنى، وأما الباطن فليس على معنى الاستبطان للأشياء بأن يغور فيها ولكن ذلك منه على استبطانه للأشياء علما وحفظا وتدبيرا، كقول القائل أبطنته، يعني خبرته وعلمت مكتوم سره، والباطن منا بمعنى الغائر في الشئ والمستتر به فقد جمعنا الاسم واختلف المعنى، وأما القاهر فإنه ليس على معنى علاج ونصب واحتيال ومداراة ومكر، كما يقهر العباد بعضهم بعضا، فالمقهور منهم يعود قاهرا، والقاهر يعود مقهورا، ولكن ذلك من الله تبارك وتعالى على أن جميع ما خلق ملتبس به الذل لفاعله وقلة الامتناع لما أراد به، لم يخرج منه طرفة عين غير أنه يقول له: كن فيكون، والقاهر منا على ما ذكرته ووصفت، فقد جمعنا الاسم واختلف المعنى، وهكذا جميع الأسماء وإن كنا لم نسمها كلها، فقد يكتفي للاعتبار بما ألقينا إليك، والله عوننا وعونك في إرشادنا وتوفيقنا.

2. `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Imran al-Daqqaq (RA) said: Muhammad ibn Ya`qub alKulayni said: `Ali ibn Muhammad, said, on the authority Muhammad ibn `Isa, on the authority of al-Husayn ibn Khalid that Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (AS) said: May Allah bestow upon you knowledge of what is good! Know that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is Eternal. Eternity is an attribute through which the wise understand that there was nothing before Him in eternity, and that there is nothing alongside Him in eternity. Even the common folk acknowledge that nothing existed before Allah, and that nothing exists alongside Him. At the same time, it invalidates the claim that there was something before Him. Had there been something eternal along with Him. He would not have been the Creator of that thing. If something existed along with Him, how then would He have been its Creator? Had there been something existing before Him, then that thing would have been worthier of being His Creator because it existed before Him. The blessed and Exalted ascribed certain names to Himself. When He created his creatures, He enabled them to serve Him, and told His creatures to call Him by those names. He called Himself the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the All-Powerful, the Riser ]qa`im], the Manifest, the Hidden, the Subtle, the All-Aware, the Powerful, the Honorable, the All-Wise, and the All-Knowing, among other similar names. When the lying exaggerators [ghalun] heard us talk about such names, that there is nothing similar to Him, and that none of the creatures are like unto Him, they said: “When you say that there is nothing like unto Him, and nothing is similar to Him, then how can you share with Him His Most Beautiful Names, and apply them to yourselves? Thus, this is proof that you are similar to Him in all conditions or in some conditions because you share the same purified names.” It is said to them: Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has named His Servants with some of His own Names but with differences in meaning just like one name may have two different meanings. The proof of this can be found among he common people. This is the way in which Allah, the Mighty and High, has addressed the creation. He has spoken to them by means of things that they understand so that the will have no excuse for their misdeeds. A man is sometimes called a dog, a donkey, a bull or a lion just like he can be called sweet or bitter. All of these words are used with a n allegorical meaning which differs from their literal meaning. A man cannot literally be a lion or a dog. Please pay close attention to this, May Allah have mercy on you! Verily, we say that Allah is AllKnowing, and not that He crated knowledge. It does not mean that He uses his Knowledge in order to record His Future Commands or His Process of Creation and Destruction because had that knowledge not been present that would imply ignorance or weakness. Likewise, the learned among creation are called knowledgeable because they possess created knowledge, which they did not have at some time in the past. They may lose their knowledge at some point and become ignorant again. However, Allah is called All-Knowing because He is not ignorant of anything. Thus, the Creator and the created are both called knowing, but the meaning is different as you have noticed.Our Lord is called All-Hearing. However, this is not through a body part or sensory organ without which He could not hear the sound as is the case with us. We cannot see with the part with which we hear. However, He has told us that no sound is hidden from Him. His hearing is not limited, as it is in our case. Here again the name hearing is used in both cases, but its meaning is different. The same applies for seeing. He does not see by means of an eye as we do. We see using a body part which serves that sole purpose. However, Allah is All-Seeing, and is never unaware of any individual. Again, the same name is used in both cases, but its meaning is different. He is Standing, but not in the sense of standing of His Les as would be the case for other beings. However, He informed us that He is Sanding, and that He is the Guardian. This is like the saying “A man is standing behind our affairs.” He is Standing behind every soul watching what is gains. As used by people, the word “standing” also has meanings like `sufficing.’ As you may say to a man, “Stand up for the affairs of so and so” which means to deal with them in a sufficient manner. Standing for us means that we stand on our legs. Therefore, the name is similar but its meaning is different. As for the term Subtle, it is Subtle, it is not used in the sense of smallness or being infinitesimal. Rather, it is used to express how difficult it is to perceive things. As an example, it may be said: “It has become very delicate for me,” and that “so and so is very delicate in his manners and dealings.” This means that it is profound for the intellect, and it is very difficult to understand. It has become so delicate that it cannot even be perceived by means of the imagination. Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is far more Subtle than to be comprehended through definitions or be limited by an attribute in the way we are subtle, small and delicate. Names can be the same but they can differ in meaning. As for the All-Aware, it means that He is the One who Knows all Things, Completely, but not through study or experience, without which He would know nothing. One without experience and training is ignorant. Allah is always All-Aware of what He ha created. The people who are well are those people who are learning to overcome their ignorance. Thus, names are the same but again, they differ in meaning. As for the Manifest, it does not mean that He is over and above all things or sitting on the uppermost part of them. Rather, it refers to His Dominion and His Power over All Things. An example of this would be when a person says, “I overcame my enemies” or that “Allah granted me victory over my enemies.” In this case, there is a report of failure and victory. Thus, this shows Allah’s Dominion over all enemies.Another illustration that He is Manifest is that for those who intend Him, nothing is hidden form Him, and He is the Planner of all that can be seen. What can be clearer or more manifest than Allah, the Exalted? No matter where you look, His Presence will never vanish. Even within you, His Traces are sufficient proof for His Existence. However, what is manifested in us is apparent, and its limits are known. Therefore, the names are thee same, but their meanings differ. As for the Hidden, it does not mean that He is inside things. Rather, it refers to His Inner Knowledge of all things from their planning to their preserving. As one may say, “I tried to get to the inside of the matter,” that is, “I came to learn and discover his secrets.” For us, what is hidden is what is unseen and covered. Once again, the names are the same, but they differ in meaning. As for the Subduer, it does not refer to plotting, using certain devices, speaking seductive words, or using cunning means as some people do to subdue one another. The victorious among the people may become subdued, and vice versa. However, for Allah, the Blessed and Exalted,, all creatures are weak. Due to the absence of obstacles in what He wills for them, it takes less than a blinking of the eye for Him to say “Be and it is.” Subduing in our case is how I mentioned and explained. Thus, names are alike but their meanings differ. That is the case for all the names, although we have not mentioned all of them. We will suffice with this for learning purpose. May Allah be our Helper and your Helper assuring our guidance and success!

3 - حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن محمد بن عمران الدقاق رحمه الله، قال: حدثنا محمد بن يعقوب، قال: حدثنا علي بن محمد، عن صالح بن أبي حماد، عن الحسين بن يزيد، عن الحسن بن علي بن أبي حمزة، عن إبراهيم بن عمر، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن الله تبارك وتعالى خلق اسما بالحروف وهو عز وجل بالحروف غير منعوت وباللفظ غير منطق، وبالشخص غير مجسد، وبالتشبيه غير موصوف، وباللون غير مصبوغ، منفي عنه الأقطار، مبعد عنه الحدود، محجوب عنه حس كل متوهم، مستتر غير مستور، فجعله كلمة تامة على أربعة أجزاء معا، ليس منها واحد قبل الآخر، فأظهر منها ثلاثة أسماء لفاقة الخلق إليها (١) وحجب واحدا منها، وهو الاسم المكنون المخزون بهذه الأسماء الثلاثة التي أظهرت، فالظاهر هو الله تبارك وتعالى، وسخر سبحانه لكل اسم من هذه أربعة أركان (٢) فذلك اثنا عشر ركنا، ثم خلق لكل ركن منها ثلاثين اسما، فعلا منسوبا إليها (٣) فهو الرحمن الرحيم، الملك، القدوس، الخالق البارئ، المصور، الحي القيوم، لا تأخذه سنة ولا نوم، العليم، الخبير، السميع، البصير، الحكيم، العزيز، الجبار، المتكبر، العلي، العظيم، المقتدر، القادر، السلام، المؤمن المهيمن، البارئ (٤) المنشئ، البديع، الرفيع، الجليل، الكريم، الرزاق، المحيي، المميت، الباعث الوارث، فهذه الأسماء وما كان من الأسماء الحسنى حتى تتم ثلاثمائة وستين اسما فهي نسبة لهذه الأسماء الثلاثة، وهذه الأسماء الثلاثة أركان وحجب للاسم الواحد المكنون المخزون بهذه الأسماء الثلاثة، وذلك قوله عز وجل: ﴿قل ادعوا الله أو ادعوا الرحمن أيا ما تدعوا فله الأسماء الحسنى﴾ .

3. `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Imran al-Daqqaq (RA) said: Muhammad ibn Ya`qub said: `Ali ibn Muhammad said, on the authority of Salih ibn Abu Hammad, on the authority of al-Husayn ibn Yazid, on the authority of al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Abu Hamzah, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn `Umar that Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) said: Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, created names by letters and He, the Mighty and High, cannot be described by letters. He cannot be uttered by words, cannot be embodied in person, cannot be described by anthropomorphism, and cannot be colored by colors. Regions are negated from Him. Limits are far from Him. The sense of every imaginer is covered from Him. He is understood and not hidden. Hence, He has made it a complete word in four parts altogether. Neither one of them precedes the other. Then he showed three of those names to creation out of their need for them, and hid one of them. That is the well-kept treasured name through which these names were manifested. Thus, the apparent is Allah, the Blessed and Exalted. He, glory be to Him, utilized each one of the four first principles, and that became twelve principles. Then He created for each of the principles thirty names, in effect, related to them. They are the Most Compassionate, the most Merciful, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Creator, the Maker [al-Bari’], the Imager, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent [al-Qayyum], slumber seized Him not, nor does sleep, the All-Knowing, the All-Aware, the All-Hearing, the all-Seeing, the Most Wise, the Honorable, the Supreme, the Possessor of all Greatness [al-Mutakabbir], the Most High, the Most Great, the All-Powerful [al-Muqtadir], the Omnipotent, the Giver of Peace [al-Salam], the Granter of Security [al-Mu`mum], the Guardian over All [alMuhaymin], the Maker, the Producer, the Originator [al-Badi’], the Lofty [al-Rafi`]. The Sublime, Generous, the Sustainer, the Giver of Life, the Causer of Death, the Raiser [alBa`ith], and the Inheritor. These are the names, among which are the Most Beautiful Names, until 360 names are complete. Thus, these are related to the three names. These three names are the first principles, and concealment for the Well-Kept Treasured name by these three names. As we read in the Word of the Mighty and High: Say, call upon Allah or call upon the Most Compassionate Allah; whichever you call upon, He has the best names.

4 - أبي رحمه الله، قال: حدثنا أحمد بن إدريس، عن الحسين بن عبيد الله، عن محمد بن عبد الله، وموسى بن عمرو، والحسن بن علي بن أبي عثمان، عن ابن سنان قال: سألت أبا الحسن الرضا عليه السلام هل كان الله عارفا بنفسه قبل أن يخلق الخلق؟ قال: نعم، قلت: يراها ويسمعها، قال: ما كان الله محتاجا إلى ذلك، لأنه لم يكن يسألها ولا يطلب منها، هو نفسه ونفسه هو، قدرته نافذة، وليس يحتاج أن يسمي نفسه، ولكن اختار لنفسه أسماء لغيره يدعوه بها، لأنه إذا لم يدع باسمه لم يعرف فأول ما اختار لنفسه العلي العظيم لأنه أعلى الأشياء كلها، فمعناه الله، واسمه العلي العظيم، هو أول أسمائه لأنه علي، علا كل شئ.

4. My father (RA) said: Ahmad ibn Idris said, on the authority of al-Husayn ibn `Ubayd Allah, on the authority of Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah; Musa ibn `Amr and al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Abu `Uthman, on the authority of Ibn Sinan that I asked Abu al-Hasan al-Rid (AS), “Did Allah know Himself before He created the creation?” He (AS) replied, “Of course.” I asked, “Did He see Himself, and hear Himself?” He said: Allah was not required to do so because He did not ask Himself anything or demand anything from Himself. He is Himself, and His Self is He. His Power was effective and He did not need to call Himself. However, He chose names for Himself so that He could be called upon, because unless He is called upon by His Name, there is no way for Him to be known. Therefore, the first name He chose for Himself was the Most High, the Most Great [al-`Ali al-`Azim], because He is Higher than all things. Hence, His meaning is Allah, and His Name is the Most High, the Most Great. That is among His first names, because He is High, Higher than Everything.

5 - وبهذا الإسناد، عن محمد بن سنان قال: سألته عن الاسم ما هو؟ قال: صفة لموصوف.

5. And with this chain of narration, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sinan that I asked him (AS) “What is a name?” He said: ”It is an attribute for the attributed.”