A purpose is a prior objective present within the conception of the agent; once the agent attains it, the action is brought to a close.

Know that the Soul imagines that outside of the universe lies an infinite, endless void (fada'), along with similar notions stemming from its wondrous faculties. Through its imaginative faculty (al-quwwah al-wahmiyyah), it conceptualizes Space as a self-subsisting substance, that the exterior of the universe is a void without end, that Matter is a substance prior to the origination of the world, and that a particle of Primary Matter can be divided infinitely—and other such philosophical paradoxes.

Verily, embodied, virtuous souls are potential angels (mala'ikah bi-al-quwwah); once they separate from their physical frames, they become actual angels (mala'ikah bi-al-fi'l). Conversely, embodied, wicked souls are potential demons (shayatin bi-al-quwwah); once they separate from their physical frames, they become actual demons.

Know that the perfected, complete souls, upon separating from physical bodies, occupy themselves with supporting and sustaining the deficient, embodied souls,