Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tilib 89
His concept of the Divine will and decree was derived from the
Book of Allah and the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (g). This
concept was firmly entrenched in his heaa, and he understood its
different categories as mentioned in the Book of Allah. He was
certain that the knowledge of Allah (&) encompasses all things:
(Neither you [O M~&ammadl do any deed nor recite any portion of
the Qur'an, nor yon [O mankind] do any deed [good or evil], hut We
are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden
from your Lord [so much as] the weight of an atom [or small ant] on
the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater
than that but is [written] in a Clear Record.) (Qur'an 10: 61)
'Ali(4)
was certain that AUah has decreed everything that is to be:
(Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send
before [them], and their traces and all things We have recorded with
numbers [as a record] in a Clear Book.) (Qur'an 36: 12)
He understood that Allah's will is inevitable and that His
power is complete:
(Allah is not such that anything in the heavens or in the earth escapes
Him. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All-Omnipotent.) (Qur'an 35: 44)
He believed that Allah (&) is the Creator of all things.
(Such is Allah, your Lord! Li Iliiha illa Huwa [none has the right to
be worshipped hut He], the Creator of all things. So worship Him
[Alone], and He is the Wakeel [Trustee, Disposer of affairs or
Guardian] over all things.) (Qur'an 6: 102)
This correct understanding and deep conviction of the reality
of the Divine will and decree bore many fruits which were apparent
in his life, as we shall see in this book. From the Noble Qur'an, he
understood the reality of his own self and of all people. He knew that
their essence went back to two origins: the ancient origin when man