Hadith #989

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 purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of believing in the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and warns against comparing Him to His creation. Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking Hadith in light of the Quran.

The key word in this Hadith is (wahhada) "وَحَّدَ", which means to believe in the oneness of Allah. This word signifies the core principle of Tawhid, the belief in the absolute unity and uniqueness of Allah. It encompasses the belief in His oneness in His essence, attributes, and actions. This belief is the foundation of Islam and is emphasized throughout the Quran.

Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly reminds us of His oneness in the Quran. For example, in Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4), Allah says,

Say, 'He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'

This ayah highlights the uniqueness of Allah and emphasizes that there is nothing comparable to Him.

Another ayah that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Ash-Shura (42:11), where Allah says,

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

This verse emphasizes that Allah is beyond any comparison or resemblance to His creation. He possesses attributes of hearing and seeing, but they are not like the attributes of His creation.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that Allah's oneness should not be compromised by comparing Him to His creation. It is a warning against anthropomorphism, which is the attribution of human characteristics to Allah. Allah is far above and beyond any resemblance to His creation, and any attempt to compare Him to His creation is a grave error.

This Hadith has profound implications for our understanding of Allah's attributes. For example, when we affirm that Allah is All-Knowing, we must not imagine His knowledge to be like our limited human knowledge. Similarly, when we affirm that Allah is All-Powerful, we must not imagine His power to be like the power of humans. Allah's attributes are unique and perfect, and they cannot be compared to anything in the creation.

By believing in the oneness of Allah and refraining from comparing Him to His creation, we develop a deeper understanding of His greatness and transcendence. This belief instills humility and awe in our hearts, as we recognize that Allah is beyond our comprehension and imagination. It also protects us from falling into the trap of idolatry or associating partners with Allah.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of believing in the oneness of Allah and warns against comparing Him to His creation. This belief is firmly rooted in the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes Allah's uniqueness and transcendence. By understanding and internalizing this belief, we deepen our connection with Allah and develop a profound sense of awe and reverence for His greatness. May Allah guide us all to the straight path and grant us the wisdom to comprehend His oneness without comparing Him to His creation.