In the Name of Allah

 Pursuant to receiving some questions in the past one or two months in the website of researcher and philosopher, Ostad Mousavi, we have decided to research the reason for creation of the world and the reality of the light of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Therefore, we will present part of the teachings of Ostad Mousavi on Volume 7 of Mulla Sadra`s book, Asfar. Furthermore, based on numerous narrations from Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and our Holy Imams (AS) quoted by renowned scholars, in particular by the Late Majlisi and Mohammad ibn Yaqub Koleini (May Allah Exalt their status) there is no doubt about the reliability of these narrations.
The Philosophy of Creation from the view of Gnosticism.
…..There is an ambiguity here: He was Present, He is Present, He was at the height of Glory; basically what is the true reason for creation? Do we not say God is needless? He had the Beauty; the Magnificence; He had everything; Then why did he create the sky and land? What was His reason for creation? What is the effect of creation? Why were these manifested in such a way? Was there need? Was there any imperfection which required these to be manifested for reaching perfection? The answer is No; He had no need for the universe and worlds to be manifested. Hence, the following question comes to the mind:
 What is the reason for creation of the worlds?
 All the above is merely an excuse. All is a manifestation. All is a beautiful view and a throne for an idol, a lover, and one who has lost everything for God, which is the heart-pleasing beauty of the essence of all essences, the origin of all origins, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and whatever Bounty bestowed upon the worlds is because of that beauty, that idol and he is the beloved that God bestowed upon all because of him and from his illumination.
Hence, the entire world and all its ups and downs are for the beauty of one essence and one origin, and that is the beauty of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
 Therefore, the world has not been created and manifested without reason.
 Here a second question arises, which is:
 Why should God create the Beauty of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)?
 The reason is that He wanted to view His Own Beauty. In other words, He felt Love for His Essence. Verily, this Love is not because of need; it arises from Magnificence.
 God had Love for His Essence; He wanted to view His True Beauty. He merely wanted to view His Beauty in a mirror, and that mirror is the face of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
 In other words, Allah created and manifested all His Beauty and Magnificence in the beauty of Ahmad (PBUH) and He viewed His Own Beauty in the Magnificence of Ahmad (PBUH).
 The true secret behind this world is the discovery of the beauty of Rasulullah (PBUH). This beauty was revealed by Allah. Rasulullah is the being in which all Infallible Imams are collected. He is he who is the most honourable of all souls, he who differentiates between all the untrue and he is sacred. Allah has favoured him.
 Upon Allah’s order saying, “O Mohammad, rise,” all the word “Be (Kun)” ordered by God created the form of Mohammad. In other words, upon the word “Be (Kun), Mohammad (PBUH) was engraved, Ali (AS) was engraved, Fatimah (SA) was engraved and all our Infallible Imams were engraved.
 Thereafter, the Pen (Qalam) of Allah’s Willpower was inserted in that of Wisdom. Something was written with the Finger of Power. Where was it written?
 Everything, whatever existed, exists and will exists, the origin of the origins, the essence of all essences is Mohammad (PBUH). In other words, on all the Plates (Lauh) in the universe, the image of Mohammad (PBUH) was inscribed.
 The first name written by the Pen (Qalam) was “O Mohammad”. In other words, God’s order “Be (Kun)” created this. Verily, the origin of all origins is Mohammad (PBUH); it is Fatimah (SA); it is Ali (AS).
 Thereafter, Allah said, “I decided to create because of you.” This means that whatever God created; all the worlds were created for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Allah said, “All the seeable and the unseen belong to you. I created the essence of water and the skies and all came together. Thereafter, I sent a soul(Nafs) which caused everything to shake. And foam was formed among these. All made sounds to praise God.”
 Suddenly a voice said, “It is true that you all are creations of God, but I am Ahmad and your Lord has selected me to be the most blessed.” Thereafter, all were silenced.
 Hence, it should be reiterated here that what is meant by “Be (Kun)” is Muhammad (PBUH) and his Holy Progeny.
Therefore, Almighty Allah’s first creation was Rasulullah (PBUH). The first word God said was “Be (Kun)” and the origin of all is and was Rasulullah (PBUH).
All the above has been summarized in the divine narration, “The entire universe was created for me” or many other narrations which state, “The first light created by Allah was my light” or “my spirit”. These narrations were quoted in reliable books by renowned scholars such as Late Majlisi and Mohammad ibn Yaqub Koleini (May Allah Exalt their status).
Based on the aforesaid, is it wrong to consider the light of Rasulullah to be the first then created by Allah?
 Mulla Sadra stated in volume 7 of his book, Asfar (p. 21, margin):
 He who knows Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), will know Allah. He who sees Rasulullah, sees Allah and Rasulullah is all wisdom and is the manifestation of all and reflection of The Great Name of Allah.
 However, in spite of referring to the holy essence of Rasulullah (PBUH) as the “first wisdom” or “all wisdom” in some narrations, this does not mean that Rasulullah (PBUH) is not a man, but rather the purpose is to show Rasulullah’s exalted status and that he is a “perfect man” and selected by God.
 (Volume 7 of Asfar, p. 7)

Source: Part of teachings of esteemed philosopher, Dr. Seyyed Ali Mousavi under Volume 7 of Mulla Sadra’s book, Asfar.