The second reason: One might argue that al-Husayn, at the time of the battle, was "the Meaning," a station higher than "the Name." We say this is correct, and there is no contradiction in it.

Exaltation from harm truly belongs to the Creator, may His majesty be glorified. He is followed in this by those of rank and faith who have returned to His light, become complete, and reverted to their true reality. Strangely, some object to the comparison, saying that al-Husayn is the creator of Jesus or that he is of a higher rank, so no comparison or analogy is permissible!

We say, may God guide you, who is more deserving of being exalted above harm: the Creator or the created? Do you exalt Jesus, may his glory be exalted, from such a fate, yet inflict death and torment upon one who is of a higher station than him?

Even as we mention the incident of the Messiah's substitution to clarify the picture and bring the meaning closer, the texts exalting our master al-Husayn, may his glory be exalted, are sufficient on their own to prove the event did not actually occur, even without this comparison.

We will begin by discussing the esoteric Christian factions that also believe in the substitution. Speaking about these factions is important to complete the picture and clarify the matter. Of course, reaching the full reality of esoteric Christian factions is nearly impossible.

This is due to the lack of academic material issued by their own monks and priests. We mean books from them that clarify their beliefs or teachings for their own people. This makes it difficult to research them through their own sources. Consequently, in our research, we were forced to rely on their opponents and enemies among the exoteric Christians. Our situation now is like that of someone who goes to Ibn Taymiyyah and says, "Tell me about the Rafida!"

You would find that 80 percent of what Ibn Taymiyyah says is falsehood and 20 percent is truth. The material available from exoteric Christians about the esoteric ones is the same; most of it is slander. Nevertheless, we will attempt to uncover some of the hidden aspects of the truth in their beliefs, along with the similarities between us and them, if God Almighty wills.