8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from ibn Abu Nasr from Abul Hassan al-Muwsali who has narrated the following from Abu ‘Abdallah :

“A rabbi came to Imam Ali and asked, ‘O Amirul Mu’minin, when did your Lord come into existence?’” Imam Ali replied, “Consider carefully. The question when applies to one who did not exist (and then came into being). When does not apply to the One Who is eternal. He was before the before without before and after the after without an after. He is not the end of some end so that His end would also end.” He then asked, “Are you a prophet?” Imam Ali replied, “Bereft of you be your mother! I am a slave among the slaves of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”