“Once Abu Ja‘far (AS) said to me, ‘Oh Jabir, the first thing that Allah created was Muhammad (SAW) and his offspring who are the rightly guided guides. They existed in ’Ashbah (form) of light in the presence of Allah.’
I then asked, ‘What is ’Ashbah?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘It is the shadow of light, the lighting bodies without the spirit. It was supported by one spirit, the Holy Spirit. In that state he and his offspring worshipped Allah and for this reason He created them forbearing scholars, conscientious pure ones who worship Allah through prayer, fasting, prostration, speaking of His Glory and the acknowledgment that He is the only Lord. They perform prayers, perform Hajj and fast.’”