4. My father said: Ahmad ibn Idris said, on the authority of al-Husayn ibn `Ubayd Allah, on the authority of Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah; Musa ibn `Amr and al-Hasan ibn `Ali ibn Abu `Uthman, on the authority of Ibn Sinan that I asked Abu al-Hasan al-Rid ,

“Did Allah know Himself before He created the creation?” He replied, “Of course.” I asked, “Did He see Himself, and hear Himself?” He said: Allah was not required to do so because He did not ask Himself anything or demand anything from Himself. He is Himself, and His Self is He. His Power was effective and He did not need to call Himself. However, He chose names for Himself so that He could be called upon, because unless He is called upon by His Name, there is no way for Him to be known. Therefore, the first name He chose for Himself was the Most High, the Most Great [al-`Ali al-`Azim], because He is Higher than all things. Hence, His meaning is Allah, and His Name is the Most High, the Most Great. That is among His first names, because He is High, Higher than Everything.