3. Muhammad ibn `Ali Majilwayh رضي الله عنه said, on the authority of his paternal uncle Muhammad ibn Abu al-Qasim that Abu Saminah Muhammad ibn `Ali al-Sayrafi related to me, on the authority of Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah al-Khursasani the servant of al-Rida عليه السلام that An atheist entered the presence of al-Rida عليه السلام when he had some people in his presence. Therefore, Abu al-Hasan al-Rida عليه السلام asked him, “O man! Can you not see that if your view is correct, and it is absolutely not, then we are equal despite our prayers, fasting, alms-giving, and tht beliefs we profess have not harmed us?” The atheist remained silent. Then Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام added, “However, if our view is the correct one, which is certainly the case, then you are lost, and we are saved.” The man said: “May Allah’s mercy be upon you! Can you describe to me how He is and where He is?” The Imam عليه السلام answered, Woe to you! Verily, you are misguided. He originated the “where” since He existed when there was no “where.” He originated the “how” since He existed when there was no “how.” He cannot be described in terms of “how” or “where,” nor can he be perceived by any of our senses, or gauged by any other means. The man said: “Then surely He is nothing if He cannot be perceived by any of the sense.” Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام said: Woe to you! Will you deny His Lordship simply because your sense cannot perceive Him? Although our senses fail to perceive Him, we know for certain that He is our Lord despite arguments to the contrary.” The man said: “Then tell, since when has He existed?” Abu al-Hasan said: “If you can tell me when He did no exist, I can tell you when He did exist.” The man said: “Then how can we prove His Existence?” Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام replied, Verily, when I contemplate my body and see that it is impossible for me to increase or decrease its breadth and height, to keep unpleasant things away from it, or draw benefits to it, then I know that this structure has a Maker. I acknowledge His Existence on the basis of the planets which orbit in the celestial sphere by His Command. I acknowledge His Existence on the basis of the production of clouds in the sky. I acknowledge His Existence on the basis of the movement of the winds. I acknowledge His Existence on the basis of the movement of the sun, the moon, and the starts. When I consider all the wonders of creation, I know that they are the product of a Determiner [Muqaddir], and an Originator [Munshi’]. The man enquired, “Then why has He veiled Himself (from men)?” Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام responded, “Verily, the veil between Allah and His Creatures is the result of their sins. As for Him, no secret is hidden from Him whether day or night.” The man said: “Then why does the sense of sight not perceive Him?” The Imam عليه السلام answered, “Vision seized Him not because He differs from His Creatures who see and are seeing. He is far above being seeing by sight, encompassed by the imagination, or conceived through reasoning.” The man said: “Then define His Limits for me.” The Imam عليه السلام answered, “He has no limits.” The man asked, “Why?” The Imam عليه السلام answered, He has no limits, because every limited thing has an end to its limits. If something can be limited, it can also be extended. If something can be extended, it can also be contracted. However, He is Unlimited. He is neither extended nor is He constrained. He cannot be divided, nor can He be imagined. The man said: “Then tell me about your saying that: “He is Subtle, All-Hearing, AllSeeing, All-Knowing and All-Wise.’ Can He be All-Hearing without ears, All Seeing without eyes, Subtle without hands, and Most Wise without workmanship?” Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام replied, Verily, a person among us is judge to be subtle on the basis of his workmanship. Have you not seen a man who undertakes a task, and is subtle in his handling of it, so it is said: “How subtle is so and so!” Then how could it not be said that the Majestic Creator is not Subtle when He creates a subtle and majestic creation, places souls in the living, and creates diversity among species, so that none of them is identical to the other? Every creature He has made contains subtle differences as a sign for the Subtle, AllAware, Creator. When we look upon the trees, and the delicate fruits they bear, both edible and inedible, we say that “Verily, our Creator is Subtle, but not like the subtlety of His Creatures in their workmanship.” And we say, “Verily, He is All-Hearing,” since the sounds of His Creatures, between the Throne and the earth, are not hidden to him, whether they emanate from a mole or something larger that that, and whether they originate on the land or in the depth of the ocean. Even their various forms of communication are clear to Him. We say that “Verily, He is All-Hearing, but not through ears.” Then we say, “Verily, He is All-Seeing,” but not through eyes, for He can see even a black speck on a black stone in the darkest night. He can see the tracks of an ant when the night is pitch-black. He sees what is harmful to the ant, beneficial to the ant, and its entire cycle of reproduction. And we say, “Verily, He is All-Seeing,” but not similar to the sight of His Creatures.” The narrator added, “The man did not leave until he had embraced Islam. The Imam عليه السلام said other things as well.”