An Explanation of Unity of Qualities in the First Sermon of Nahj al-Balaghah

Unity of Divine Attributes explains how the true positive attributes relate to Divine Essence. In the field, three views are found: otherness of attributes to essence (Ash`arite view), essence as substitute of attributes (Mu`tazilite view) and unity of essence and attributes. Amir al-Mu`minin (a) in the first sermon of Nahj al-Balaghah says: the perfection of His purity is to deny Him attributes. Commentators have commented the saying differently; in the paper, the most important coments of the saying are studied descriptively-analytically. As understood, additionality of concepts and unity of extention in the case of unity of attributes are agreed with. Action attributes, negative attributes and relative positive attributes are not intended as being the same as Essence. The unity, therefore, is limited to true attributes. The expression: to deny Attributes refers to the third view.