ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Tuhaf Al-uqul ( the Masterpieces of the Mind ) Narrations of Imam Ali The reports that related the long maxims and words of wisdom of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Amirul Muminin (peace be upon him) are too many to the degree that if we want to amass his sermons and words of one topic only, monotheism for example, we will compile a volume that is not thinner than this one altogether.

However, we will refer to one sermon only in the field of monotheism, then move to refer to other most common sermons and sayings that fit the topics of our book only and are regarded as the most favorable by the specialists as well as ordinary people. That will be sufficient, inshallah. Imam Ali's Sermon of the Sincerity of Believing in the Oneness of Allah The foremost in the worship of Allah is the acknowledgement of Him. The origin of acknowledging Him is to believe in His oneness.

The system of believing in His oneness is to deny His being enjoying attributes, because the minds testify that every attribute or attributed is new in creation. Every creature testifies that it has a creator that is neither an attribute nor an attributed. Every attribute and attributed testifies that is has likes. Everything that has a like is new. Every new thing testifies it has not been eternal, because eternity prevents newness. Who recognizes Allah's essence does not recognize Him.

Who decides an end to Allah does not believe in His oneness. Who compares Him -to anything- does not believe in Him. Who likens him -to anything- does not recognize His actuality. Who imagines Him does not mean Him. Who claims of fathoming Him does believe in His oneness. Who states that He has an end does not believe in Him. Who points at Him does not believe in His eternity. Who admits limitations for Him does not refer to Him. Who recognizes parts for Him does not succumb to Him.

Every idiosyncratic matter is made. Except Him, every existent matter is imperfect. The evidence on the existence of Allah is His made. The intellects recognize the acknowledgement of Him. The conception proves His claim. His portents are His evidences against His servants. When Allah created the creatures, He made a screen between them and Him. His distinction proves that He is different from them. The proof of His being free of materiality is His creating the creatures from materials.

The materials are evidences on the neediness of the creatures.