and they are the origin of every darkness, each veil being greater than the other. Far-fetched it is then for the believer to escape from these compounded obstacles except after long hardship and a momentous matter, or that he be encompassed by amnesty and forgiveness from his Ancient Creator."

Abu Sa'id said in the Book of al-Hawi: "Employing the womenfolk of the believers in washing their clothes and preparing their food is permissible, and it is a duty that she be granted for service so that she may improve in her ultimate return. A woman does not ascend [the higher spiritual hierarchy] nor does she achieve purity, because by her very nature she is subject to descent. However, if she is a believer in loyalty and dissociation (al-wala' wa-al-bara'), serving her believing spouse, she transfers into the mold of men. Yet, she does not give birth [in that state] nor does she become completely pure, but rather her transfer to the rank of men stands as a reward for her service and obedience to her spouse. Thus, she ascends a degree from the mold of metamorphosis (al-masukhiyyah) to the mold of men, and that suffices her. We have narrated this on the authority of our master al-Sadiq, His glory is might, from Kitab al-Haft."