Meaning of beautiful Imam Ali quote on God (Nahj ul Balagha)

[313_Waiter]

Salaam

What is the meaning of this quote?

Quote

By the contraries in various matters it is known that He has no contrary, and by the similarity between things it is known that there is nothing similar to Him.

My understanding is that since the painter cannot be similar to the painting the Creator is also unique from creation. So that which occurs in creation cannot occur in him (I,e the nature of having opposites and similars).

Or maybe Imam Ali ((عليه السلام)) was hinting at the God being the First Cause and things in creation leading to Him?

Allahu A’lam

[baqar]

Brother, it is always good to quote the reference.

Could you tell us which lecture or letter in the Nahjul Balagha this quote refers to?

[313_Waiter]

7 hours ago, baqar said:

Brother, it is always good to quote the reference.

Could you tell us which lecture or letter in the Nahjul Balagha this quote refers to?

Salaam brother, here it is, Sermon 185

https://www.al-Islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons/sermon-185-praise-be-Allah-he-such-senses-cannot-perceive-him

Edited March 5, 2020 by Ejaz
Sermon 185

[baqar]

21 minutes ago, Ejaz said:

https://www.al-Islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons/sermon-185-praise-be-Allah-he-such-senses-cannot-perceive-him

Thanks brother

But I cannot find this sentence in that link:

"By the contraries in various matters it is known that He has no contrary, and by the similarity between things it is known that there is nothing similar to Him.".

[eThErEaL]

21 hours ago, Ejaz said:

Salaam

What is the meaning of this quote?

My understanding is that since the painter cannot be similar to the painting the Creator is also unique from creation. So that which occurs in creation cannot occur in him (I,e the nature of having opposites and similars).

Or maybe Imam Ali ((عليه السلام)) was hinting at the God being the First Cause and things in creation leading to Him?

Allahu A’lam

If you look at your computer screen you will notice that the images that appear are neither "opposed" to the screen nor "similar" to the screen.  They are not opposed to the screen because the images that appear (and which are replaced by other images) are nothing but the screen and yet the images are themselves not the screen.  The images are nothing but the screen inasmuch as the images appear only through, by, with, and in the screen.  The images are themselves not the screen because the images are essentially different and many while the screen is only One.  In other words, The creation is neither God nor other than God.  This is what the concept of tanzih (declaring that God is incomparable to creation) and tashbih (declaring God's similarity to creation) is in understanding tawhid.  

Edited March 5, 2020 by eThErEaL

[313_Waiter]

1 hour ago, baqar said:

Thanks brother

But I cannot find this sentence in that link:

"By the contraries in various matters it is known that He has no contrary, and by the similarity between things it is known that there is nothing similar to Him.".

Sorry brother actually it is the next sermon (186)

https://www.al-Islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-1-sermons/sermon-186-he-who-assigns-him-different-conditions-does-not-believe

You will need to search for this to find it:

”  By the contraries in various matters it is known that He has no contrary, and by the similarity between things it is known that there is nothing similar to Him.  “

[baqar]

1 minute ago, Ejaz said:

 Sorry brother actually it is the next sermon (186) 

Salam and thanks brother.

"By the contraries in various matters it is known that He has no contrary, and by the similarity between things it is known that there is nothing similar to Him."

The above sentence can probably be rephrased for better understanding as follows:

"While there are opposites and similarities in many spheres of existence, there is nothing that can be described as opposite or similar to Him."

Is this easier to understand, brother?