Hadith #981

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. 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 speaks about the unity of Allah (تَوْحِيدِ اللّهِ تَعَالَىٰ) and highlights the limitations of human understanding and intellect in comprehending the essence of the Almighty.

The word (ghaws) "غَوْصُ" in Arabic refers to diving or plunging into the depths of something. Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) uses this term to emphasize that the depths of understanding and knowledge possessed by humans are unable to fully perceive and comprehend the essence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It signifies the limitations of human intellect and the vastness of Allah's existence and attributes.

The phrase (la yudrikuhu) "لا يُدْرِكُهُ" means "cannot perceive Him." This highlights the inability of human understanding to fully grasp the essence of Allah. It emphasizes that no matter how deep one delves into the realms of knowledge and understanding, they will never be able to fully comprehend the infinite nature of Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states, (wa budu al-himam la yabluguhu)

وَبُعْدُ الهِمَمِ لا يَبْلُغُهُ

which translates to

the heights of [intellectual] endeavors cannot reach Him.

This phrase emphasizes that no matter how high one's aspirations and intellectual pursuits may be, they will never be able to attain a complete understanding of Allah's essence. It highlights the vastness and transcendence of Allah's being, which surpasses the limits of human comprehension.

This profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasize the incomprehensibility of Allah's essence. Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am (6:103),

No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.

This verse highlights the limitations of human perception and the fact that Allah's essence cannot be fully comprehended by our limited senses.

Similarly, in Surah Al-An'am (6:59), Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.

This verse emphasizes the vast knowledge and awareness of Allah, which encompasses everything, even the unseen and the minute details of existence. It further emphasizes the limitations of human understanding in comprehending the depth of Allah's knowledge.

Reflecting on this hadith, we realize the importance of humility and recognizing the limits of our understanding. It reminds us that our knowledge and intellect are finite, while Allah's knowledge and existence are infinite. It encourages us to approach the concept of Allah's unity with awe and reverence, acknowledging that our understanding will always fall short.

This hadith also serves as a reminder that our pursuit of knowledge should be accompanied by humility and a recognition of the vastness of Allah's existence. It encourages us to constantly seek knowledge and understanding, while remaining aware of the limitations of our intellect. It reminds us to rely on Allah's guidance and to approach the mysteries of His existence with humility and reverence.

In conclusion, this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the limitations of human understanding and intellect in comprehending the essence of Allah (تَوْحِيدِ اللّهِ تَعَالَىٰ). It emphasizes that no matter how deep we dive into knowledge or how high we aspire in intellectual pursuits, we will never fully grasp the infinite nature of Allah. This hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasize the incomprehensibility of Allah's essence. It reminds us to approach the concept of Allah's unity with humility and reverence, recognizing the vastness of His existence and the limitations of our understanding. May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge and understanding while acknowledging our limitations.