Chapter On Being and Space (al-Kawn WA al-Makan)

2. A group of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abu Nasr who has said the following. A man from Ma Wara’ Nahr Balkh (Transoxania) came to abu al-Hassan al-Rida عليه السلام, and said, ‘I have a question for you. If your answer is the same as I already know, I will accept you as my Imam (leader with divine authority).’” Imam abul-Hassan عليه السلام replied, “Ask whatever you wish.” The man said, “Tell me when did your Lord come into existence, how has He been and on what did He depend?” Imam Abul-Hassan عليه السلام, replied, “Allah, the Blessed, the Almighty, is the space maker of space, Who Himself is not subject to the effects of any space. He is the maker of How and Himself is not subject to How. He is Self-sufficient with His own power.” The man stood up and kissed the head of the Imam عليه السلام and then said, “I testify that there is no god except Allah and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the Messenger of Allah and that Imam Ali عليه السلام is the successor of the Messenger of Allah and the Guardian and protector of what the Messenger of Allah has brought from Allah and that your forefathers are the leaders with divine authority and that you are a successor to them.”