عبد الرحيم

I asked Abu Ja`far al-Baqir (AS) something about Divine Unity. He lifted his hands up to Heaven and said: “Exalted is Allah, the Supreme [Jabbar]. Verily, whoever speculates about Divine Unity will be destroyed.”

“I wrote through ‘Abdal Malik ibn ’a‘yan to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). “In Iraq there are people who attribute to Allah forms and lines. If you consider it proper, may Allah take my soul in your service, please write for me the correct belief in the issue of the Oneness of Allah.” The Imam wrote for me, “May Allah grant you blessings. You have asked about the Oneness of Allah and the belief of the group before you. Exalted is Allah, to Who nothing is similar. He is All-hearing and All-seeing. Allah is above what certain people attribute to Him and analogize Him with His creatures and the lies of those who speak lies about Him. Note that the true doctrine in the Oneness of Allah is what is revealed in the Quran in about the attributes of Allah, the Almighty, the Exalted. Keep away from the belief in Allah, the Most High, all ideas that amount to ignoring His existence altogether and those that amount to analogizing Him with the creatures. Neither should His existence be negated nor should He be considered similar to anything. He, Allah, the Most High exists. Exalted is He and far above what is falsely attributed to Him. Do not exceed the limits of the Quran lest you go astray after the clear presentation of Truth.”

I wrote a letter, and sent it by hand via `Abd Al-Malik ibn A`yan to Abu `Abd Allah alSadiq (AS). In it, I asked about several issues, one of which was: “Please inform me about Allah, the Mighty and High. Can He be described with image and lineation? If this letter reaches you, may Allah make me your ransom, write back to me with the correct vies about Divine Unity.” So he (AS) wrote back to me, sending the letter via `Abd al-Malik ibn A`yan: May Allah have mercy on you! You have enquired about Divine Unity. Allah is Greater than what your companions have ascribed. He is All-Hearing and All-Seeing, and there is nothing like unto Him. Allah is greater than the descriptions of the describers, those who describe Him inhuman terms, and those who compare Him with His creation, thus slandering Allah. Beware! May Allah have mercy on you! The correct view about Divine Unity is to be found in the attributes that Allah, the Mighty and High, revealed in the Qur`an. Reject anthropomorphism, and do not apply to Allah what is vain. Allah is Firmly Present. Allah is high above the descriptions of the describers. Do not exceed the Qur`an, as you will misled after the clear explanation has reached you.