Lessons from Nahjul Balagha [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Sermons
Sermon
178

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.