علي بن عبد الله المدائني

“Then he should repeat all the prayers he has prayed behind him,”

Commander of the Faithful (AS) was asked: “Shall we not guard you?” He (AS) said: “The guardian of every man is his death.”

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “Has Allah relinquished the affairs to the servants?” He (AS) replied, “allah is more Honorable than to relinquish matter to them.” I asked, “Then has Allah compelled His Servant to disobey in their actions?” He answered, “Allah is for too Just to compel His Servant to sin, and then punish him for doing so.”

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS): “What is the meaning of the word of the Mighty and High: And, verily, they were called upon to make obeisance while yet they were safe.” He replied, “They had the ability.”

“Allah, the Mighty and High, has refuted their statement: If we had been able, we would certainly have gone forth with you; stating that they did indeed have the means of going forth.”

Jibra’il (as) came to Rasulullah (sw) and said: “O Muhammad! Blessed is any member of your Ummah who professes that 'There is no god but Allah, Alone, Alone, Alone.'"

Commander of the Faithful (AS) moved from a wall that was tilted to another wall so it was said to him, “O Commander of the Faithful! Are you fleeing from the destiny of Allah?” He (AS) replied, “I am fleeing from the destiny of Allah to the Divine Decree of Allah, the Mighty and High.”

A servant cannot act or move unless the ability to act is given to him by Allah, the Mighty and High. Verily, the legal capacity [taklif] from Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has occurred after the capability. Thus, no one has legal capacity except the capable.

“The niche is the Chest of the Prophet of Allah (SA) in which is the lamp. The lamp is the knowledge in the glass. The glass is the Commander of the Faithful (AS) and the knowledge of the Prophet (SA) is with him (AS).”

“O Commander of the Faithful! Do you not fear anything at this point?” He (AS) replied, And what should I fear? There is no anyone except that with him are two angels assigned to him so that he does not fall into a well or an animal does not hit him or he may not fall from a mountain until the decree comes for him. When that which is decreed comes, they vacate from between him and the decreed.

Verily, on the subject of free will, there are three types of persons. One person claims that Allah, the Mighty and High, has compelled people to sin. He is an unbeliever who has insulted the judgment of Allah. The second person claims that Allah has relinquished all mattes. He is an unbeliever as well, as he has insulted the rule of Allah. The third person claims that Allah only obliges His Servants to do what they have the strength to do, and does not oblige them to do what they do not have the strength to do. This is the correct Muslim: he who praises Allah when he does good and repents to Allah when he commits a sin.

8. `Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Walid said: Ahmad ibn al-Fadl ibn al-Mughirah said: Abu Nasr Mansur ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim al-Isfahani said: `Ali ibn `Abd Allah said: al-Husayn ibn Bashshar, that I asked Abu al-Hasan `Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (AS): “Does Allah know the things which have not occurred that if they did occur how would they be or He does not?” He (AS) said: Verily, Allah, the Exalted be He, is aware of all things even before they come into existence. Allah, the Mighty and High, says: Surely, We wrote what you did,1 and He says to the people going to the Hell: And if they were sent back, they would certainly go back to that which they are forbidden, and most surely the are liars.2 Hence, Allah the Mighty and High, knew that if He sent them back, they would certainly go back to what they were forbidden. And he said to the angels when they said: What! Wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely, I know what you do not know.3 Therefore, the Knowledge of Allah, the Mighty and High, is eternal, and embraces all things even before they are created. Blessed be our Lord, the Exalted, the Elevated, and the Great, who created things and had knowledge of them prior to their creation. Verily, our Lord has always been All-Knowing, All-Hearing, and All-Seeing.

I asked Abu `Abd Allah al-Sadiq (AS) about Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He: “Did He have knowledge of location before He created location? Or did He come to know if it when He was creating it or after He had created it?” So he (AS) replied: “Exalted is Allah! Verily, he knew about space before He created space in the same fashion that He knew about if after He brought it into being. His Knowledge of space is the same as His Knowledge of all things.” The Compiler of this book, may Allah be pleased with him, says: Another proof that Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He, is Omniscient, is that action, planning, and work, can only be orchestrated by intelligence and not from ignorance, since it most surely requires wisdom. Not only can action, planning, and work not originate from ignorance, they cannot continue to operate without intelligence. Do you not see that one who does not know the art of goldsmithing cannot make an earring, even while placing every tiny essential piece in its position? Neither it is possible for someone who does not know how to write to write a book in which every word is in accordance with the previous. The All-Knowing is More Magnificent in work, and more amazing in establishment, than what we have described. Hence, it is certainly impossible for creation to have originated from a non-knower. The confirmation of this is (to be found in the following tradition):

The Prophet (SA) said: O `Ali! It is certain that you will not please anyone over the anger of Allah. So, do not praise anyone for what Allah has granted you, and do not blame anyone for what Allah has not granted you. Verily, sustenance is not snatched away y the greed of a greedy person not is it diverted by the hate of a spiteful person. Verily, through His Wisdom and His Grace, Allah, the Mighty and High, placed refreshment and happiness in certainty and pleasure. He placed anxiety and sorrow in doubt and anger. There is nothing lower than ignorance, and there is no greater wealth than wisdom. There is no solitude greater than narcissism, and there is no greater help than good advice. There is nothing more intelligent than good management and there is nothing more pious than abstaining from the forbidden. There is no greater independence than good conduct, and there is no act of service greater than thinking. The calamity of speech is lying. The calamity of knowledge is forgetfulness. The calamity of service is weakness. The calamity of intelligence is arrogance. The calamity of bravery is injustice. The calamity of magnanimity is favor. The calamity of beauty is vanity. The calamity of nobility is pride.

Messenger of Allah (SAS) said: Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has NinetyNine names: one hundred minus one. He is Single and loves odd numbers. Whoever counts them will enter Paradise. Thus, it has reached us that more than one scholar has said that the first one of them starts with: There is no god but Allah, He Alone, He has no associates. To Him belongs all Sovereignty, and to Him is the Praise. In His hand is all goodness, and He has power over all things. There is no god but Allah, His are the Best Names: Allah, the One, the Needless, the First, the Last, the Manifested, the Hidden, the Creator, the Maker, the Imager, the Sovereign, the Most Holy, the Giver of Peace, the Granter of Security, the Guarding Over All, the Honorable, the Supreme, the Possessor of all Greatness, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, the Subtle, the All-Aware, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the Most High, the Most Great, the Maker, the High, the Sublime the Beautiful [al-Jamil], the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent, the All-Powerful, the Subduer, the All-Wise, the Near, the Granter [al-Majib], the Self-Sufficient, the Bestower, the Loving one, the Thankful, the Glorified [al-Majid], the Unique, the Guardian [al-Wali], the Rightly Directing [al-Rashid], the Forgiving, the Generous, the Forbearing, the Oft-Returning (in mercy), the Lord, the All-Glorious, the Praiseworthy, the Reliable, the Witness, the Clear, the Evidence [al-Burhan], the Affectionate, the First to do [al-Mubdi’] the Resorter [al-Mu`id], the Raiser, the Inheritor, the Powerful, the Severe in punishment [alShadid], the Punisher [al-Dar], the Beneficial [al-Naf`], the Sufficient [al-Wafi], the Protector [alHafiz], the Exalter [al-Rafi`], the Seizer (of souls), the Extender, the Honor-Bestower [alMu`izz], the One who abases [al-Mudhill], the Sustainer, the Lord of unbreakable strength [Dhul-Quwat al-Matin], the Riser, the Custodian, the Just, the Assembler [al-Jami`], the Giver [al-Mu`ti], the Selecter [al-Mujtabi], the Reviver [al-Muhyi], the One who makes to dies [alMumit], the Sufficient, the Guide, the Everlasting [al-Abad], the Most Truthful, the Light, the Eternal, the Truth, the Peerless, the Singly, the All-Embracing [al-Was`], the Counter [al-Muhsi], the Powerful, the One who precedes all [al-Muqaddam], the One who comes last [alMu`akhkhar], the Avenger [al-Muntaqim], the Originator.

I asked Abu `Abd Allah Ja`far ibn Muhammad (AS) about the Word of Allah, the Mighty and High: Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the rightly guided one and whomsoever He causes to err, you shall not find for him any friend to lead (him) aright. Therefore, he (AS) explained: Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, leads astray the oppressors on the Day of Judgment from the abode of His Kindness, and guides the Faithful ones and the ones with good deeds, to paradise, as He, the Mighty and High, says: And Allah causes the unjust to go astray, and Allah does what He pleases. The Mighty and High says: Surely (as for) those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them by their faith; there shall flow from beneath them rivers in gardens of bliss. He says: I asked, “What about the Word of Mighty and High: And with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue, and His Word, the Mighty and High: If Allah assist you, then there is none that can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there then that can assist you after Him? Thus, he (AS) replied: If a servant carried out what Allah, the Mighty and High, commands him to do in terms of obedience, then his action would be in accordance with the Command of Allah, the Mighty and High, and the servants will be directed. However, if a servant intends to disobey Allah, then Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, obstructs him from that disobedience, refraining him from it. If the servant was refrained from disobedience it was due to Allah’s guidance, Exalted be His Remembrance. Whenever He leaves him to disobedience, and does not present him from disobedience, then Allah has forsaken him, and decided not to guide him and assist him.

Knowledge has precedence. The Pen has dried up. The Decree has been accomplished through the Book, and confirmed through the Message. Good fortune is from Allah, and adversity s from Allah, the Mighty and High.” `Abd Allah ibn `Umar says: The Messenger of Allah (SA) used to transmit the following tradition from Allah, the Mighty and High, that Allah, the Mighty and High, says: O son of Adam! You wish for what you wish through My Will. You intended for what you intend for through My Bounty. You disobey through the strength that I have given you. You fulfill your obligations through the health, protection, and forgiveness that I have granted you. I am worthier of your favor than yourself. And you are worthier of your sin that I am. Hence, any good which reached you is reward for your good deeds. And any evil that reaches you in punishment for the sins you have committed. As a result of your mistrust in Me, I have deprived you of My Mercy. All praise belongs to Me. And against you is evident proof (of your evil-doing). I have a way over you for your disobedience, and reward and the best outcome for you with favour. I do not call upon you to warn you. I do not hold you responsible for issues of honor. And I do not burden you with more than you can bear. And I did not impose you with the trust except what you have power over. I am pleased with you for Myself with what you are pleased with yourself from Me. Abd al-Malik explained: “I will never punish you except for what you do (wrong).”

his father Muhammad ibn `Ali al-Baqir (AS) was asked to interpret the Word of Allah, the Blessed and the Exalted: Say: He Allah is One. Therefore, He (AS) said: Say [qul] means relate to the people what we have revealed to you, and informed you about, regarding the meaning of the letters we have recited to you, so that you may guide those who listen and bear witness. The verse in question is a metonymical expression indication to the unseen One [gha`ib]. The letter [ha’] (in[huwa]) means motionless. The (letter) [waw] means unperceivable by the sense just like the word `this’ [hadha] means witnessed by means of the sense. This is because the unbelievers described their gods by means of perception. Hence, they would say: These are our gods who are sensed and perceived by the eyes. Therefore, O Muhammad, point to your God that you call pon so that we see Him, perceive Him, and be amazed by Him. Thus, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: Say He Allah is One. Therefore, the [ha] referes to the Motionless while the [waw] refers to the One who is Above Sensual Perception. In fact, He is the creator of the Senses, and He perceives all vision.

Prophet (SA) said: Verily, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has create a rooster whose feet are on the borderline of the lowly seventh earth, while its head is in the Empyrean, and its neck is twisted below the Empyrean. It is an angel among the angels of Allah, the Mighty and High. Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has placed its feet at the lowest level of the seventh earth. It crosses the earths, to the end of the earths, until it comes out at the horizon of heaven. Then it passes the horizon until its first visible part reaches the Empyrean, while it says: “Glory be to You, my Lord.” Verily, this rooster has two wings. If it would spread them out, they would cross both the East and the West. When it is the end of the night, it spreads its two wings, shakes them, and it calls out with the glorification that ”Glory be to Allah, the Sovereign, the Most Holy. Glory be to the Great, the Supreme Being [al-mut`al], the Most Holy. There is no god but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent.” When it says so then all the roosters of the earth glorify, spread their wings, and begin to crow. And when that rooster becomes still then the rooster on the earth become still. At the time of dawn, it spreads its two wings, which cross the East and the West, and shakes them, and calls out with the glorification: “Glory be to Allah, the Great. Glory be to Allah, the Honorable, the Subduer. Glory be to Allah, the Possessor of the Glorious Empyrean. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Lofty Empyrean.” When it does that then all the roosters of the earth do their glorification. Therefore, it wakes the rooster of the earth, who awake and answer its glorification of Allah, the Mighty and High. The rooster ahs the purest white feathers I have ever seen. Below its white feathers it has the darkest green fuzz that I have ever seen. I am still longing to look at the feathers of that rooster.

“Verily, Allah has sent a gift to you.” Hence, he (SA) asked, “What is that gift, O Jibra’il?” He answered, “Words from the Treasures of the Throne. Allah honors you by them.” The Prophet (SA) enquired, “What are they, O Jibra’il?” He said: Say: O One who reveals beauty, and hides ugliness! O One who does not punish the offender, and who does not ear the veil (from sins)! O Most Great in pardoning! O Best of the Overlookers! O All-Embracing in Forgiveness! O One who Opens His Hands in Mercy! O Hearer of all Whispers! O One whom all complaints are made! (O Last Resort of the Fallen!). O Noble One! O Possessor of Great Favor! O One who Blessed before anyone deserves it! O our Lord! O our Master! O our Guardian! O Goal of our Desires! I beseech You, O Allah, not to make me ugly by means of the Fire. The Messenger of Allah (SA) asked, “O Jibra’il! What are the virtues of these words?” Jibra’il replied, So great! So great! The virtues of these words are impossible to describe. Even if the angels from the seven heavens and the seven earths joined together to describe the virtues of these words until the Day of Judgment, they would not be able to describe even a thousandth part of them. Therefore, when a man says: “O One who reveals beauty, and hides ugliness,” Allah covers him up with His Mercy in this world, and makes him beautiful in the Hereafter. Allah covers his defects with a thousand veils in this world, and the Hereafter. When he says: “O One who does not punish the offender, and does not tear the veil (from sins),” Allah will not hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment, and on the Day all Veils are Torn, He will not tear his veil. And when he says: “O Most Great in Pardoning,” Allah will forgive his sins even if they are as much as the foam from the sea. When he says: “O Best of the Overlookers,” Allah will forgive him even sins such as theft, drinking wine, worldly frights, and other major sins. And when he says: “O All-Embracing in Forgiveness,” Allah, the Mighty and High, will open seventy gates of Mercy to him in a way that he will be overwhelmed by Allah, the Mighty and High’s Mercy till he parts this world. When he says: “O One who Opens His Hands in Mercy,” Allah opens His Hands of Mercy to him. And when he says: “O Hearer of all Whispers, O One to who all Complaints are made,” Allah will bestow upon him the reward of every afflicted, unaffiliated, sick, blind, destitute, and poor person till the Day of Judgment. When he says: “O Noble One,” Allah will make him noble like the prophets. When he says: “O Possessor of Great Favor,” Allah will bestow upon him His Protection, and the protection of the created on the Day of Judgment. And when he says: “O One who gives blessings before anyone deserves it,” Allah will grant him rewards equal to the number of those who thanked Him for His Blessings. When he says: “O our Lord, O our Master,” Allah will say: “My angels! Bear witness that I forgave him, and I will give him rewards similar to the numbers of those who are in Paradise, and Hell, the seven heavens and the seven earths, the sun, the moon, the stars, rain drops, creatures, mountains, pebbles, soil, and other than these, as well as the Empyrean and the Throne. And when he says: “O our Guardian,” Allah will fill his heart with faith. When he says: “O Goal of our Desires,” Allah will fulfill his desire, and give him the reward equal to the reward of all the creatures on the Day of Judgment. And when he says: “I beseech You, O Allah, not to make my being ugly by means of Fire,” the Supreme, may His glory be glorified, will say: My Servant has asked Me to free him from Fire. O My angels! Bear witness that I set him, his parents, his brothers, his sisters, his household, his children, and his neighbors free from the Fire, and accepted his intercession for a thousand others who deserved punishment by fire, and saved them from it. O Muhammad! Teach this supplication to the pious, and do not teach it to the hypocrites. For it is supplication which will be granted to the ones that pronounce it, by the will of Allah. This is the supplication of the inhabitants of the Flourishing House [al-Bayt alMa’mur], when they circumambulate it. The Compiler of this book says: The proof that Allah – the Exalted, the Mighty, and the Most High – is All-Knowing, Ever-Living, and All-Powerful in and of Himself – not by knowledge, power, and life, that is other than Him – is that if He were All-Knowing by means of knowledge, then His Knowledge could only be two things: eternal or created. If His Knowledge is created then He, glorified be His Praise, was without knowledge before it creation. This is an imperfect attribute, and every imperfection is caused, as we explained previously. If His Knowledge is eternal, then it becomes necessary for other than Allah, the Mighty and High, to be eternal. This is infidelity by consensus. The same argument can be applied to the AllPowerful and His Omnipotence and the Ever-Living and His Life. The proof that He, the Exalted, has always been All-Powerful, All-Knowing and Ever-Living is that it has been proved that He is All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and Ever-Living, in and of Himself. Hence, it is correct by evidence that He, the Mighty and High, is Eternal. Therefore, He has always been All-Knowing as Knowledge is part of His Essence, Which has always been. This indicates that He has always been All-Powerful, and Ever-Living.