SERMON 178
Dhilib al-Yamani asked Amir
al-mu'minin whether he had seen Allah, when he replied, "Do I worship one whom I have
not seen?" Then he enquired, "How have you seen Him?" Then Amir al-mu'minin
replied:
Eyes do not see Him face to face, but hearts
perceive Him through the realities of belief. He is near to things but not (physically)
contiguous. He is far from them but not (physically) separate. He is a speaker, but not
with reflection. He intends, but not with preparation. He moulds, but not with (the
assistance of) limbs. He is subtle but cannot be attributed with being concealed. He is
great but cannot be attributed with haughtiness. He sees but cannot be attributed with the
sense (of sight). He is Merciful but cannot be attributed with weakness of heart. Faces
feel low before His greatness and hearts tremble out of fear of Him.
.Forward to Sermon 179.Back to Sermon 177.