demonstration for mankind (taken collectively).

demonstration for mankind (taken collectively). While Reason is the proof and demonstration between God and mankind (taken individually)." A group of our associates (،X) Ahmad ibn Muhammad (Mursalan ،X without describing the chain of narrators) quoted Abu ،¥Abdillah (p.b.u.h.), as saying : "The reasoning capacity is the chief pillar of human existence. It is the fountain spring of sagacity, comprehension, memory and knowledge.

Man is perfected through Reason and it is this which is a guide, a discriminator and a key to every success. When Reason secures the approval of Divine Light, it earns (perfection in) know-ledge, memory, sagacity, level headness and God mindedness. It is through Reason one understands how, why and where. It is through Reason one knows who guides him and who misguides him. Having known all this he comes to realise what source of life he should adopt, whom he should meet and whom he should not.

He becomes pure and sincere in his concept of Unity of God and also in his acceptance, and belief, and ultimately in His obedience and submission to Him. When he has reached this stage, he has redressed every loss. He has acquired every gain he can secure. He quickly comprehends where he stands, and what is what, which is which, and why he has been sent here in this worldly life, where he is brought from and where he has to go.

All this can be secured with the assistance of Reason." ،¥Ali ibn Muhammad (،X) Sahl ibn Ziyad (،X) Isma.l ibn Mihran (،X) some of his associated narrators (،X) Abu ،¥Abdillah (p.b.u.h.) as saying: "Reason is a guide to every believer." 25. al-Hƒmusayn ibn Muhammad (،X) Mu،¦alla ibn Muhammad (،X) al-Washsha،¦ (،X) Hammad ibn ،¥Uthman (،X) as-Sari ibn Khalid (،X) Abu ،¥Abdillah (p.b.u.h.) as saying: "The messenger of Allah (Muhammad, the prophet - p.b.u.h.a.

h.p.), said (to ،¥Ali): ،¥O ،¥Ali, no poverty is as great as ignorance and no wealth is as profitable as the reasoning capacity.،¦ " Muhammad ibn al-Hƒmasan (،X) Sahl ibn Ziyad (،X) Ibn Abi Najran (،X) al-،¦Ala ibn Raz.n (،X) Muhammad ibn Muslim (،X) Abu Ja،¥far (p.b.u.h.), as saying: "When Almighty Allah created Reason, He ordered it to come forward and it came forward. Then He ordered it to go back and it went back.

On this Almighty Allah said : ،¥I swear by My power and Majesty that no creation of Mine is dearer than you are. Lo!