In light of the following hadiths, can we say that the true nature of the intellect is the light of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
One hadith says: «أول ما خلق الله نوري»—“The first thing God created was my light.”
Another says: «أول ما خلق الله العقل»—“The first thing God created was the intellect.” Taken together, these two hadiths may seem, at first glance, to contradict one another. The first identifies the Prophet (PBUH) as God’s first creation, while the second names the intellect. But the apparent contradiction disappears in the interpretation offered by Allama Majlisi, which makes clear that the “intellect” is none other than the light of the Prophet (PBUH).
«...يا هشام إن لله على الناس حجتين حجه ظاهره و حجه باطنه فأما الظاهره فالرسل و الأنبياء و الأئمه (علیهم السلام) و أما الباطنه فالعقول...» (1)
“O Hisham, God has two proofs for humanity: one manifest and one hidden. The manifest proof consists of the messengers, prophets and Imams (AS); the hidden proof is the intellect—that is, the light of the Prophet.”
Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said: «حجه الله علی العباد النبی و الحجه فیما بین العباد و بین الله العقل»
“The Prophet of God (PBUH) is God’s proof to His servants, and the intellect—the light of the Prophet—is the proof between God and His servants.”
In the words of the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (AS), God sent His messengers to bring forth the treasures of the intellect—the light of the Prophet: «و یثیروا لهم دفائن العقول».
و إذ قال عیسى ابن مریم یا بنی إسرائیل إنی رسول الله إلیکم مصدقا لما بین یدی من التوراه و مبشرا برسول یأتی من بعدی اسمه أحمد فلما جاءهم بالبینات قالوا هذا سحر مبین.
Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said: «ما کلم رسول الله العباد بکنه عقله قط»—“The Messenger of God never spoke to anyone at the full depth of his intellect.”