And He is the Master 'Mim,' to whom is total submission (al-taslim). It was named 'Reason' (Aql) only because it is the refuge (ma'qil) of the servants and to it is the return; and that is because it restrains (mu'aqqil) the nations through the laws and binds the lovers through Gnosis."

(19) And by the chain of transmission to al-Alim, may His might be glorified, that he was asked about the Reason. He said: "He is the Master, manifest through that radiant light. Pre-eternity (al-Azal) originated him from the light of His Essence, communed with him, and addressed him, saying: 'Come forward,' and he came forward. Then He said to him: 'Go back,' and he went back. He said: 'By My Might and My Majesty, I have not created a creation closer to Me than you. Through you I cleaved my seal, through you I manifested my creation, through you I take from them my covenant, through you I take, through you I give, through you I judge, and through you I decree. There is no path to reaching Me for whoever denies you, and he who knows you is not veiled from Me. I have accepted you as a Lord for the worlds and as a governor over them by My decree.'"

(20) And by his chain of transmission from Muhammad ibn Sinan al-Zahiri, peace be upon him, who said: I asked my Master al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, about the attributes of Pre-eternity (al-Azal). He said: "The Reason." I said: "And what is the Reason?" He said: "I am the Reason. Through me the rational person reasons, through me the speaker speaks, through me the still moves, through me the good is tasted, through me the sensor perceives, and to me the people have flocked."

(21) And by the narration from the Naqib Muhammad ibn Sinan al-Zahiri, peace be upon him, from our Master al-Alim, may His might be glorified, who said: I asked him about the Reason and its station in relation to Pre-eternity (al-Azal). He, may His might be glorified, replied: "It is in the position of knowledge to the Knower; it is not separate from Him, nor is it other than Him." Al-Alim said: "O Muhammad, Pre-eternity brought forth from the light of His Essence a supreme light that was never separated from Him nor absent from Him.