There are many beautiful and living traditions in the Islamic annals especially Nahjul Balagha which contains ample proof about the Knowledge of God which are sufficient to enlighten the discussion that we have been having about it. Consider the meaning of the following:
He (The Lord of the Universe) hears the roars of the animals in the jungles; is aware of the sins committed in seclusion; knows about the movement of the fishes in the deep oceans and has the knowledge of the rains that lash the earth on the urging of the fierce winds. (1)
In another sermon it is said, “He was all knowing when the known (knowledge) did not exist; He was the sustainer when there was nothing to be looked after; He was the Authority when there were no being to rule upon. (2)
In yet another sermon it is said, “He knows the intentions of the hearts and their secrets and He encompasses everything and his might and rule is promulgated on everything. (3)
Imam Jafar Sadiq is recorded in Kafi to have said, “The knowledge of our Lord was always a part of His being even when there was no existence of the known (knowledge). When He created things and the known was manifest His knowledge encompassed the known.” (4)In another tradition a companion wrote to Imam Reza asking about God, “Did God know about the things before they were created and manifested or He had no knowledge about them or did He know when He created and displayed them?” The Imam wrote back to him “Just as God is the knower about all things after they have been created and displayed He was the knower about them before the creations and still is” (5)
In reality these traditions contain profound and irrefutable proof about the knowledge of God and they are still the subject of intellectual and logical discussion. There are many traditions about the knowledge of God and a voluminous book can be compiled if they are collected.
1. Nahjul Balagha Sermon No 198
2. Nahjul Balagha Sermon No 152
3. Nahjul Balagha Sermon No 86
4. Usul Kafi Vol.1 page 107
5. Usul Kafi Vol. 1 Page 107
