Page 103 - Pure Life 31
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102 International Multi. J. of PURE LIFE. 9 (31): 93-144, Summer 2022
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The reason one says that the distinguishing faculty
materiality in its essences between the human and the
has a tendency towards animal worlds.
destruction is that when the Therefore, if mankind uses
soul chooses one of the two its intellect to control the
extremes its goes out of the material instincts and create
equilibrium and causes a level of equilibrium
destruction. between them, then he can
For example, if anger and rise above the angels who
appetite are left unchecked, lack these material tendencies
they lead to irreparable likewise if human beings
destruction. Therefore, unless use the intellect to go to the
there is a balance between extremes to satisfy their
the two powers materiality material desires then such
would bring nothing but people are worse than
destruction. This is precisely animals, who lack the
the argument raised by the faculty of intellect.
angels as well to which This can also be found in
God replied, “I know what the traditions of the infallible,
you do not know”. for example, the following
Meaning there is a source tradition from Abdullah bin
in this caliph that would Sanan who asked Imam
prevent him from going Sadiq whether angels were
towards the extremes. That superior or the children of
source is known as intellect, Adam. Imam quoted the
