Peace be upon you. Does Imam Ali possess knowledge of the unseen?
[AR_ID:1989]
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Summary Answer:
The knowledge of the unseen is exclusively with Allah Almighty. However, Allah may grant His prophets and saints knowledge of the unseen, as stated in the Holy Quran: ﴿ALLAH IS THE KNOWER OF THE UNSEEN, AND HE DOES NOT REVEAL HIS UNSEEN TO ANYONE * EXCEPT TO WHOM HE APPROVES OF AS A MESSENGER﴾ (Al-Jinn: 26-27). Thus, their knowledge of the unseen is derived from Allah's teaching.
Detailed Answer:
It is understood from the verses and narrations that the knowledge of the unseen is confined to Allah Almighty, and He is the sole Knower of the unseen.
However, Allah is capable of granting this knowledge to His saints among the prophets and imams (peace be upon them). They possess knowledge of the unseen, but not inherently; rather, it is through Allah's teaching:
Allah says: ﴿ALLAH IS THE KNOWER OF THE UNSEEN, AND HE DOES NOT REVEAL HIS UNSEEN TO ANYONE * EXCEPT TO WHOM HE APPROVES OF AS A MESSENGER﴾ (Al-Jinn: 26-27).
Moreover, reason dictates that an imam and a proof from Allah over the people must possess all the knowledge necessary for the people; otherwise, there would be no justification for making him a proof over them and obligating their obedience.
In a noble hadith from Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), he said: "Allah is wiser and more generous than to impose obedience upon a servant and then conceal from him the news of the heavens" (Al-Kafi - Sheikh Al-Kulayni - Vol. 1, p. 261).
In another narration: "Allah is greater and more exalted than to hold a servant accountable and then hide from him any news of the heavens and the earth" (Bihar Al-Anwar, Vol. 26, p. 138).
In a narration from Hisham ibn Al-Hakam, I said: "May I be sacrificed for you, this lawful and unlawful and the Quran, I know you are its companion and the most knowledgeable of people regarding it, and this is the speech." He said: "Do you doubt, O Hisham? Whoever doubts that Allah holds His creation accountable through a proof who does not possess everything they need has indeed slandered Allah" (Basa'ir Al-Darajat - Al-Saffar, p. 143).
And from Imam Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him): "Whoever claims that Allah holds a servant accountable in His land and then conceals from him everything he needs has indeed slandered Allah" (Basa'ir Al-Darajat - Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Saffar - p. 143).
Source: Theological Questions