11. Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Walid said: Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Saffar said: Ahmad ibn Muhammad said on the authority of Abu Hashim al-Ja`fari, on the authority of Abu al- Hasan (`Ali) al-Rida that

I asked him whether it is possible to describe Allah, the Mighty and High. Hence, he replied: “Do you not read the Qur`an?” I responded: “What do you mean?” He said: “Do you not read the Word of the Mighty and High: Vision comprehends Him not, and He comprehends (all) vision.2 I answered: “So?” He asked: “Then do you know what vision means?” I replied: “Sure” He said: “What is t?” I said: “The vision of the eyes.” Hence, he explained: “Verily, the imagination of the mind is greater than the vision of the eyes. Thus, imagination comprehends Him not, and He comprehends all imagination.”