Hadith #987

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he beautifully describes the concept of the oneness of Allah (تَوْحِيدِ اللّهِ). Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meaning in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (wālij) "والِج" and (khārij) "خارِج". "والِج" refers to being inside or contained within something, while "خارِج" refers to being outside or separate from something. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is neither inside nor outside things.

This statement by Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns with the teachings of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is beyond the limitations of physical space and is not confined to any particular location. Allah's existence transcends the boundaries of the material world. Allah is not contained within His creation, nor is He separate from it.

The Quran affirms this concept in multiple verses. Allah says in Surah Al-Hadid (57:3),

He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing.

This verse emphasizes that Allah is both transcendent and immanent. He is the First and the Last, encompassing all of creation, and He is intimately aware of every detail.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:103), Allah states,

Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.

This verse highlights that Allah cannot be seen by human eyes, but He sees everything. His knowledge encompasses all things, even though we cannot fully comprehend His essence.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the concept of Allah's oneness. Allah is not confined to any physical space or limited by human perception. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and His existence is beyond our comprehension.

This understanding of Allah's oneness has profound implications for our relationship with Him. It reminds us that Allah is always present, regardless of our physical surroundings. We cannot confine Him to a specific place or time. This realization should motivate us to constantly seek His presence and guidance in all aspects of our lives.

Moreover, recognizing that Allah is neither inside nor outside things helps us avoid falling into the trap of associating partners with Him. We should not attribute divine qualities to created beings or objects. Allah is unique and incomparable, and our worship should be directed solely towards Him.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) beautifully captures the essence of the oneness of Allah. It emphasizes that Allah is not contained within His creation, nor is He separate from it. This concept is supported by various verses of the Quran, which highlight Allah's transcendence and immanence. Understanding this oneness deepens our connection with Allah and reinforces the importance of pure monotheism in our faith. May Allah guide us all to a deeper understanding of His oneness and grant us the ability to worship Him with sincerity and devotion.