The primary Shia hadith book, Usul al-Kaafi, contains many detailed philosophical speculations. In particular, it contains detailed philosophical elaborations on the nature of God. As a hadith book, that is to say, a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and his twelve successors are rich in detailed philosophical postulations. Many of these hadiths specifically challenge and dispute Sunni theology. The religion of Shia Islam was born out of and shaped by a theological war with Sunni Islam. One can deduce this from the hadiths which are specifically directed as philosophical polemics against the followers of Sunni schools of theology. In particular, one of the most profound differences between Sunni and Shia theology is in regards to the conception of God. Sunni hadith books portray God as occupying a place and being subjected by time. However, Shia hadiths specifically set God outside of place and outside of time and elaborates on the nature of Monotheism. The importance of the theological arguments of Usul al Kafi demonstrate that Sunni and Shia Islam, in early Islamic history, crystalized into two distinct theological traditions. This demonstrates not only a difference between Sunni and Shia Islam in early Islamic history. It also reveals the shortsightedness of the views in western scholarship which tend to focus attention onto the legal and political aspects of Islamic history. The difference between Sunni and Shia Islam transcends a mere political dispute, and goes well beyond the bounds of differences in jurisprudence.