Salaam alaikum all,
I have a theological question regarding the lutf (grace) of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى.
I notice in a lot of Shi'i theological books and websites that the grace of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى is described as being obligatory/binding upon Him to guide mankind.
This belief ties in with Adalat and Imamate, in that Allah would never leave the world without an Imam, nor would he ever command someone to do something unjust.
My question is:
Does placing an obligation on Allah conflict with the principle of Tawhid - that is Allah being free and independent of any need?
Surely theoretically Allah could do whatever He likes, as He is truly independent of all needs, He may set a way (sunnah of Allah) for us in terms of good and evil in this world , but this quite different from him being OBLIGATED to do this - if you understand my point?
I understand the Ashari (Sunni theological school) position is roughly like this although perhaps I am misunderstanding the Imamiyyah position?
Has anybody studied this at great length or in the hawza to be able to provide me with some direction?
Thanks and jazakallah all in advance
Ali