ثُمَّ قُلْتُ...
Al-Ma’mun said, “O Abul Hassan! What is your opinion regarding what they argue about?” The Imam (s) said, “O Soleiman!
How could you not believe in origination while the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?’ [207] And the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘It is He Who begins (the process of) Creation; then repeats it…’ [208] And says, ‘To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth…’ [209] Moreover, the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘He adds to Creation as He pleases…’ [210] and says, ‘…He began the Creation of man with (nothing more than) clay.’ [211] Also the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘There are (yet) others, held in suspense for the command of God, whether He will punish them, or turn in mercy to them…’ [212] And the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…Nor is a man long-lived granted length of days, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Decree (ordained)…’ [213] Soleiman asked, “Has anything been narrated to you on this issue from your forefather?” The Imam (s) said, “Yes.
It has been narrated by my father on the authority of Abi Abdullah (s) who said, “The Honorable the Exalted God has two bodies of knowledge: a Treasured Knowledge, Hidden Knowledge which no one but Him is informed of. Origination is rooted in that knowledge.