The Faith

IMAM ALI (A.S.) DESCRIBES THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

The Commander of the faithful, who was termed “Nafse Rasool” by the Glorious Qur’an, has described the creation of the Universe. This was long before the creation of Adam but because the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had said; “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is the “Gateway of that City”. Imam Ali (a.s.) described the creation of the Universe in his first Sermon of the renowned collection called “Nahjul Balagha”. The way in which Imam Ali (a.s.) has described the creation of the Universe, appears that he was a witness to the phenomena!

Imam Ali (a.s.)’s oratory made audience’s hearts tremble and drew tears from their eyes. Once, Imam Ali (a.s.)’s companion Hamman ibn Shurayh, requested him to describe the qualities of a pious and the God-fearing. The Imam wanted to avoid his request as he was concerned about Hamman’s ability to bear what the Imam would say. Hence, he gave a perfunctory description of piety, but Hamman was not satisfied, and he beseeched the Imam for more elaboration. The Imam enumerated one hundred and five qualities and Hamman’s heart could not bear it and he collapsed and died. This is an example of the kind of influence which the Imam’s sermons had on the minds and hearts of his contemporaries.

Ibne Abil Hadid Mu’tazili said, “Praise be to Allah! An Arab youth grows up in a town like Makkah, one who has never met a sage or philosopher, yet his discourses have surpassed Plato and Aristotle in eloquence and profundity.

In the introduction to a book “The voice of Human Justice” by a Lebanese Christian, Michael Naimah, also a Christian Lebanese, says, “ Ali was not only a champion on the battle field but also a hero in all other fields: in the sincerity of heart, in the purity of conscience, in the spell -binding magic of speech, in true humanitarianism, in the fineness and warmth of faith, in the height of tranquility, in the readiness to help the oppressed and the wronged and in total submission to the truth wherever it may be and whichever form it assumes. He was a hero in all these fields.

Now the topic: CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE

“He initiated creation most initially and commenced it originally, without undergoing reflection, without making use of any experiment, without innovating any movement, and without experiencing any aspiration of mind. He allotted all things their times, put together their variations, gave them their properties, and determined their features knowing them before creating them, realizing fully their limits and confines, and appreciating their propensities and intricacies. When Almighty created the openings of the atmosphere, expanse of firmament and strata of winds, He flowed into it water whose waves were stormy and whose surges leapt one over the other. He loaded it on dashing wind and breaking typhoons, ordered them to shed it back (as rain), gave the wind control over the vigor of the rain, and acquainted it with its limitations. The wind blew under it while water flowed furiously over it. The Almighty created forth wind and made its movement sterile, perpetuated its position, intensified its motion, and spread it far and wide. Then He ordered the wind to raise up deep waters and intensify the waves of the oceans. So the wind churned it like the churning of the curd and pushed it fiercely into the firmament throwing its front position on the rear and the stationary on the flowing till its level was raised and the surface was full of foam. Then Almighty raised the foam on to the open wind and vast firmament and made therefrom the seven skies and made the lower one as stationary surge and the upper one as protective ceiling and a high edifice without any pole to support it or nail to hold it together. Then He decorated them with the stars and the light of meteors and hung in it the shining sun and effulgent moon under the revolving sky, moving ceiling and rotating firmament.”

FAQs

Is Nahjul Balagha considered a sacred text in Islam?

Yes, Nahjul Balagha is highly revered by Shia Muslims and is considered one of the primary sources of wisdom and guidance.

Are there other sermons and sayings in Nahjul Balagha that discuss cosmology?

Yes, Nahjul Balagha contains various sermons and sayings that touch upon cosmology, the creation of man, and other metaphysical topics.

Who was Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib?

Imam Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad and the first Imam in Shia Islam. He is respected for his wisdom and piety.

How do Muslims view the concept of God's attributes?

Muslims believe in the Oneness of God and His absolute transcendence. Allah's attributes are understood to be beyond human comprehension and not comparable to any created being.

Can non-Muslims read Nahjul Balagha?

Yes, Nahjul Balagha is a source of wisdom and knowledge that can be appreciated by people from different religious backgrounds for its profound insights.