Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)

5. It is narrated, through the same chain of narrators and source, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr from abu al-Hassan al-Muwsali from Imam abu ‘Abdallah عليه السلام, who has said the following. “One of the Jewish rabbis (hibr) came to Imam Ali عليه السلام, and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, when did your Lord come into existence?’” Imam Ali عليه السلام replied, “Bereft of you be your mother! When has Allah not been (in existence), so that it could be said when did He come into existence. My Lord existed before any before without being before. He is after every after, without being after. There is no finale destination or end for Him. All ends fall short before Him. He is the final destination of all goals.” He further asked, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, are you a prophet?” Imam Ali عليه السلام replied, “Hold it there. I am one of the slaves of Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم the Messenger of Allah.” It has also been narrated that someone asked Imam Ali عليه السلام this. “Where was our Lord before the creation of the heavens and the earth?” Imam Ali عليه السلام replied, “Where is a question about space. Allah has been there before there was space.”