On the Supreme Pen (al-Qalam al-Aʿlā)

Know that the Supreme Pen is an expression for the first determinations (taʿyīnāt) of the Real in the created loci of manifestation, [taken] in the mode of differentiation (ʿalā l-tamyīz).

And my saying "in the mode of differentiation" is because the creation has, first, an undifferentiated determination in the divine Knowledge.

Its exposition has [already] preceded. Then it has an existence that is summary [and] ruling in the Throne -- for we have shown that the Throne, one of its aspects, is the created existents.

Then it has a detailed appearing in the Footstool, as we mentioned in the preceding chapter; then it has an appearing in the mode of differentiation in the Supreme Pen -- because its appearing in all those first loci of disclosure is unseen (ghayb).

Its existence in the Pen is an entified existence, differentiated from the Real; and it -- I mean the Supreme Pen -- is a model (anmūdhaj) that inscribes what it requires upon the Guarded Tablet, like the intellect, for it is a model that inscribes what it requires upon the soul.

So the intellect is at the place-rank of the Pen, and the soul at the place-rank of the Tablet; and the mental propositions that come to be in the soul by the rational canon are like the existential forms written in the Guarded Tablet.

And for this he (peace be upon him) said: "The first thing God (exalted is He) created was the intellect";

and he said: "The first thing God created was the Pen." And the Pen is the First Intellect, and the two of them are two aspects of the Muhammadan Tablet.

He (peace be upon him) said: "The first thing God created was the spirit of your Prophet, O Jābir."

So the Supreme Pen, the First Intellect, and the Muhammadan Spirit became an expression for a single indivisible substance (jawhar fard); and it, by its relation to the creation, is called the Supreme Pen,

and by its relation to the requirement of the creation it is called the First Intellect, and by its attribution to the Perfect Human it is called a Muhammadan Spirit (God bless him and grant him peace).

And the detailing of the Spirit and the Intellect will come, from this book, in its [own] place, God (exalted is He) willing.