Section Four: Narrations of Resemblance and Exoneration of Al-Husayn from Killing
It was narrated on the authority of some knowing believers that one of them met a man and asked him: 'Where have you come from, my brother?' He replied: 'From the Mashhad (Shrine).' He asked him: 'When did he become absent so that he is witnessed?' He replied: 'From the Mi'raj (Ascension).' He asked: 'When did he descend so that he ascended?' He asked: 'Then how should I speak, my brother?' He replied: 'From the place of concealment (Ghaybah) and the renewal of the manifestation (Zuhur).'1
This report is not a narration from our Mawali, magnificent is their glory, but reflect upon it, my brother, for it is profound wisdom and a sound statement. Praise be to God for the excellence, truthfulness, and trustworthiness of the Ghulat (exaggerators in the esoteric sense). If this statement were attributed to Imam Assadiqor Imam Al-Baqir, no one would doubt it, and souls would accept it with satisfaction and approval, for its conformity with sound intellects and trustworthy hearts. But far be it that anything be added to the speech of the Mawali from the speech of the Ghulat, or that anything be subtracted from it. We are the ones who hated the world, its sweetness, and its people, and desired what is with our Lord. What compels us to do this? And we are the ones who carry our shrouds before us...
It was narrated on the authority of some knowing believers that he was asked: 'How did you know God?' He replied: 'He manifested, and I found Him.' He was asked: 'How did He manifest, and you found Him?' He replied: 'When He addressed the world and said: {Am I not your Lord? They said: Yes}. And He was concealed, and I knew Him.' He was asked: 'How was He concealed, and you knew Him?' He replied: 'By His actions in me. He became absent, and I witnessed Him.' He was asked: 'How did He become absent, and you witnessed Him?' He replied: 'He did not become absent with the absence of annihilation, but I became absent from Him due to my bad deeds.'2