Question 417 - The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 5

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Question 417

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, O successor, messenger, and Imam Ahmed Alhasan the Yamani. My master, Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated from his father, from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd, from Hisham ibn al-Hakam, that he asked Abu Abdullah (a) about the names of Allah and their derivation: From what is ‘Allah’ derived? He said to me: ‘O Hisham, “Allah” is derived from ilah, and an ilah requires one who regards him as a god. The name is other than the named. Whoever worships the name without the meaning has disbelieved and worshipped nothing. Whoever worships Allah as both the name and the meaning has disbelieved and worshipped two. Whoever worships the meaning without the name-that is monotheism. Do you understand, O Hisham?’ I said, ‘Tell me more.’ He said: ‘Allah has ninety-nine names. If the name were the named, every name among them would be a god. But Allah is a meaning indicated by these names, and all of them are other than Him. O Hisham, bread is the name of that which is eaten, water is the name of that which is drunk, clothing is the name of that which is worn, and fire is the name of that which burns. Do you understand, O Hisham, with an understanding by which you can repel and contend against our enemies and those who take another with Allah, Majestic and Mighty is He?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘May Allah benefit you through it and make you steadfast, O Hisham.’ Hisham said: ‘By Allah, no one defeated me concerning monotheism from that time until I attained this station’ (^[19]). And from Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (a): ‘He is Himself and His Self is He. His power is effective, so He has no need to name Himself. But He chose names for Himself so that others could call upon Him by them, because if He were not described He would not be known.’ From Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (a): ‘He is Himself and His Self is He. His power is effective, so He has no need to name Himself. But He chose names for Himself so that others could call upon Him by them, because if He were not called by His name He would not be known. The first that He chose for Himself was the Most High, the Magnificent, because He is higher than all things. Thus, its meaning is Allah, and His name the Most High, the Magnificent is the first of His names. He is exalted above all things. If He were not called by His name, He would not be known. The first that He chose for Himself was the Most High, the Magnificent, because He is higher than all things. Thus, its meaning is Allah, and His name the Most High, the Magnificent is the first of His names. He is exalted above all things’ (^[20]). My master, I ask you as one submissive and humbled to teach me the true monotheism to which your forefather, the eminent Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq-peace be upon them both-referred in this noble narration. This is the first question. The second question concerns the narration from Abu al-Hasan al-Rida (a): ‘He is Himself and His Self is He. His power is effective, so He has no need to name Himself. But He chose names for Himself so that others could call upon Him by them, because if He were not called by His name He would not be known. The first that He chose for Himself was the Most High, the Magnificent, because He is higher than all things. Thus, its meaning is Allah, and His name the Most High, the Magnificent is the first of His names. He is exalted above all things.’ I ask the great Yamani guardian to explain this narration in a manner that grants me true knowledge of this noble name. The third question: My master the Yamani, is the return bodily or spiritual? Peace and the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you. Sender: Arif - Iraq

Source: The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 5; Author: Imam Ahmed Al-Hasan; Question 417; Page Not available; AL-JAWAB-AL-MUNIR-V5-Q417. View Arabic source · Open the original Arabic source ↗