The Meaning of Divine Unity and Divine Justice

A man asked Imam Ja`far al-Sadiq (AS): Verily, Divine Unity and Divine Justice are the foundations of faith. Since His Knowledge is so great, it is not possible for even a wise man to understand it all. So, teach me something that is easy to understand and easy to memorize. He (AS) answered: “As for Divine Unity, do not describe your Lord the way you describe yourself. As for Divine Justice, do not apply to your Lord any of the shortcomings that you may apply to yourself.”

Abu Hanifah was leaving the presence of al-Sadiq (AS) one day, and came across Musa ibn Ja`far (AS), so he asked him (AS): “Young man! What is the source of insubordination?” He (AS) answered: There are three possibilities. It is either from Allah, the Mighty and High, or it is not from Him because it does not befit the Gracious that He would punish His Servant for something for which he is not responsible. It could also be from both, Allah, the Mighty and High, and from the servant. This is not the case, however, because it is not proper to suggest that he Strong would oppress the weak. The final option is that insubordination comes from the servant. Therefore, if Allah punished His Servant, it is because of the sins he has committed, and if He forgives His Servant, it is ouit of His Grace and His Generosity.

3. Abu al-Husayn `Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Hirabakht al-Jiraffi al-Nassabah said: Ahmad ibn Salman ibn al-Hasan said: Ja`far ibn Muhammad al-Sa`igh said: Khalid al-`Urani said: Hushaym said: Abu Sufyan, the freed slave of Muzaynah: A man came to Salman al-Farisi (may Allah have mercy on him), and said: “O Abu `Abd Allah! I am deprived of performing my nightly prayers.” Salman replied: “Then do not disobey Allah during the day. A man came to the Commander of the Faithful (AS) and said: `O Commander of the Faithful! I am deprived of my nightly prayers.’” The Commander of the Faithful replied to him, “You are enslaved by your sins.”