Hadith #984

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

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

Belief that Allah is one means that you should not [try to] imagine [Him].

This amazing Hadith highlights the concept of Tawhid, the belief in the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Let us delve into the deeper meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (Tawhid) "تَوَحِيد" refers to the belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah. It encompasses the understanding that Allah is unique, without any partners or associates. It is the foundation of Islamic faith and the core principle that distinguishes Islam from all other religions. Tawhid is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical and comprehensive way of life.

The word (tatawahham) "تَتَوَهَّمَ" is derived from the root word (wahama) "وَهَمَ", which means to imagine, conceive, or form a mental image. In this context, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing that we should not attempt to visualize or comprehend the essence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Allah is beyond human perception and imagination. Our finite minds cannot fully grasp the infinite nature of the Creator.

This profound teaching of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) finds support in the Quran. Allah 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 emphasizes that Allah cannot be perceived by human vision, but He encompasses all vision. Our limited senses cannot comprehend His true essence.

Furthermore, in Surah Ash-Shura (42:11), Allah states,

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

This verse highlights the incomparable nature of Allah. He is beyond any likeness or comparison. Our attempts to imagine or visualize Allah would be futile and fall short of His true reality.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that our focus should be on acknowledging and affirming the Oneness of Allah, rather than attempting to visualize or comprehend His essence. This belief in the Oneness of Allah has profound implications for our faith and actions.

By recognizing the Oneness of Allah, we understand that all power, authority, and sovereignty belong to Him alone. This belief instills in us a sense of humility, as we acknowledge our dependence on Allah and submit to His will. It also serves as a motivation to worship and obey Him sincerely, without associating any partners with Him.

Moreover, the belief in the Oneness of Allah has practical consequences in our daily lives. It reminds us to seek guidance and knowledge from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). We should strive to align our thoughts, actions, and intentions with the principles of Tawhid, ensuring that our worship and devotion are solely directed towards Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the belief in the Oneness of Allah and cautions against attempting to imagine or comprehend His essence. This teaching aligns with the Quranic verses that highlight the incomparable nature of Allah and His transcendence beyond human perception. Understanding and affirming the Oneness of Allah has profound implications for our faith, actions, and relationship with our Creator. May Allah guide us to deepen our understanding of Tawhid and enable us to live our lives in accordance with this fundamental principle.