Peace be upon you.
With respect, could you explain a little about those forms of knowledge?
Is it possible that a group could be ignorant and usurping, yet Imam Ali (peace be upon him) would warn them of knowledge—even though they not only reject that knowledge, but reject Imam Ali himself?
To put it plainly: why would he invoke knowledge to put them in their place?
Thank you. I would be grateful for your guidance.
#Answer 3328
The Imam was not frightening his audience; rather, he was enlightening those who could not understand why he exercised restraint.
The Imam had access to special forms of knowledge, some of which concerned future events. Indeed, the silence, uprising, political conduct, and every response, word, and action of each of the Infallibles (peace be upon them) stemmed from knowledge that was both manifest and hidden.
Knowledge is the highest sign of the Creator of existence within the world of being. Its rank and station do not reach the Divine Essence; rather, knowledge extends from God across the world of being as an instrument and a sign. Now imagine that the Imam’s heart was the command centre from which this knowledge was disseminated.
If we revisit the story of Moses and Khidr (peace be upon them), we can better grasp the secrets held within the breast of Imam Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him)—for Khidr is the servant of the son of Amir al-Mu’minin.
قال علی علیه السلام: لو شئت لأوقرت سبعین بعیرا فی تفسیر فاتحه الکتاب
“If I wished, I could load seventy camels with my commentary on the Opening Chapter of the Book.”
Tafsir al-Ayyashi, from Sulayman al-A‘mash, from his father, who said: Ali (peace be upon him) said, “No verse was revealed without my knowing about whom it was revealed, where it was revealed, and for whom it was revealed. My Lord has bestowed upon me an understanding heart and a fluent tongue.”
Bihar al-Anwar (Beirut edition), vol. 89, p. 97
Ali (peace be upon him) said: “By God, no verse was revealed without my knowing what it was about, where it was revealed, and for whom it was revealed. My Lord has bestowed upon me an understanding heart and a fluent tongue.”
The subtle element of creation was charged with refining all that had been made. It rose, and its hidden, radiant stature was revealed. The whole world moved in step with it; a new age began, and the end of idolatry, doubt, and impurity was sealed. Blessed be the most beautiful and most momentous feast in the history of creation.