Interpretation of negative theology documentations in traditions quoted from Imam Ali (A.S)

This article intends to examine the understandings of those who believe in negative theology when they encounter traditions quoted from Imam Ali (A.S) with regard to the Divine Attributes. Three viewpoints are observed in interpretation of these traditions; three groups have interpreted them with an ontological approach concerning the attributes: a group has considered these attributes as referring to those of the creatures; a second group has denied the existence of any attributes for God, Exalted is He; and a third group has divided the attributes to those of the essence and those beyond the essence, and has believed in the negation of the attributes beyond the essence. The origin of these approaches is lack of adequate reflection in the collection of the traditions and the cognitive and cultural fields of the era in which the traditions were issued. The correct viewpoint in interpreting the documentations of negative theology is to prove the attributes from the ontological dimension of the attributes and negation of anthropomorphism (tashbīh) in its semantic dimension. In this theory, one cannot present an affirmative description about the nature of the attributes; however, in addition to the denial of the flaws and defects, one can present a functionalistic description of the attributes.