Reason: Its Location and Nature

(10) And by his narration from our Master al-Baqir, may His might be glorified, that he was asked about the reason within creation. He said: "It is from the radiance of the Creator’s light. It roams within each individual according to their capacity; it is neither separate from the Light of the Creator nor is it divided."

(11) And from him, may Allah sanctify his essence, from his men, from the Messenger, may His might be glorified, having been asked: "What is reason?" He said: "In the five senses, it is like a lamp in a house. It stays in one place, yet its light reaches the rest of it. It is not confined within the body such that it would be severed from its source, nor is it absent from the body such that the body becomes a neglected, mute form. Rather, it is like the sun whose light is in all places, neither localized nor restricted, as long as no barrier prevents its light from reaching a spot on the earth. Likewise is reason in the rational, as long as no barrier hinders it and no accident among the five accidents—which are the opposing barriers for the servant—prevents it: and these are whim, doubt, lust, pride, and dullness."

(12) And by the same chain of transmission from al-Alim, may His might be glorified, having been asked about the nature and quantity of reason. He said to the questioner: "It is the proof of the Creator over the creation, just as none of you punishes his servant or his child for a sin they did not commit, nor for one he did not warn them against and show them its corruption. Thus, whoever opens the lock of his heart through reflection so that reason may illuminate within it, and purifies his senses so that reason may shine upon them, is a rational person. But whoever feigns blindness will become blind, and whoever feigns deafness, Allah will make him deaf and blind his heart and his sight."