He is not obeyed unwillingly nor is He disobeyed as one who can be overcome.

He is not obeyed unwillingly nor is He disobeyed as one who can be overcome. He has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. There will be woe from Hell-fire for those who disbelieve. (XXXVIII 27). "2 "What, then, is the decree and determination which you mentioned, Commander of the faithful?" asked the man.

He answered: "It is the command to obey, the prohibition of disobedience, the provision (to man) to draw near Him and to abandon those who disobey Him, the promise (of reward) and the threat (of punishment), the inspiration (He gives man) to do good and the fear of doing evil (which He arouses in man). All that is the decree of God with regard to our actions and His determination of our deeds. As for anything else (which has been claimed), do not give it any consideration.

For the consideration of it will invalidate your action." "You have dispelled my worries, Commander of the faithful," said the man. "May God dispel yours." And he began to recite: You are the Imam, through obedience to whom we hope for forgiveness from God, the Merciful, on the Day of the Return (to Him). You have explained what was unclear in our religion. May your Lord bounteously reward you with kindness.

**************** This account clarifies, through the words of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, the meaning of (divine) justice and the prohibition of (belief in) the doctrine of determinism (jabr), (in addition to) establishing the wisdom in the actions of God, the Exalted, and denying that there is any futility in them.

His Words about Knowledge ('Ilm) (This is a selection of) some of the words of (the Commander of the faithful), peace be on him, in praise of (traditional) knowledge ('ilm), about the categories of people, the merit of (traditional) knowledge, and about acquiring it and wisdom. The traditionists (ahl al-naql) have reported on the authority of Kumayl b. Ziyad, may God have mercy on him, that he said:3 One day the Commander of the faithful took me by the hand in the mosque and led me out of it.

When he had gone out into the desert, he breathed a deep sigh and said: "Kumayl, these hearts are containers (of knowledge); the best of them are those which best preserve (the knowledge). Therefore preserve what I say to you.