Chapter on the minimum degree of knowledge of the existence of Allah

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Tahir ibn Hatam when he was normal and wrote to the man (meaning thereby Imam abul Hassan al-Rida عليه السلام. “What is it that without which one’s acknowledgement of the existence of Allah can not be considered sufficient?” In answer the Imam عليه السلام replied, “That He is All-knowing, All-hearing All-awareness and that He acts as He wills.” Imam abu Ja‘far عليه السلام was asked about the minimum required degree of knowledge about Allah without which an acknowledgement would not be considered sufficient. The Imam عليه السلام said, “There is nothing similar to or like Him. He is All-knowing, All-hearing and All-awareness.”