Allusion, Expression, Hinting, and Explicit Statement (Nuance of their Speech)
What is the meaning of allusion, hinting, or insinuation?
They are three different words that pour into one meaning, which is veiling and concealing.
As for expression, explicit statement, and indication, they are three words that pour into one meaning, which is unveiling and clarification. And these terms have been reported from our Masters (may their glory be exalted) in more than one report.
So, the seeker of truth, and whoever seeks the path of salvation from the tables of their Hadith, must know the nuance of their speech (may their glory be exalted). He must know that their discourse comes in different levels and styles. The style directed to the common people is different from that for the elite, and different from the style for the saints.
As our Master Assadiq (may his glory be exalted) said: The Book of God (may He be exalted and glorified) is upon four things: upon expression, allusion, subtleties, and realities. The expression is for the common people, the allusion is for the elite, the subtleties are for the saints, and the realities are for the prophets.1
Such is the case with their noble Hadith and their lofty knowledge, for in it are thousands of facets of interpretation...
So do not wait for the clear, explicit statement and the manifest clarification found everywhere, which every ear hears, if you are seeking the beliefs of truth, the Gnosis of the elite, and the religion of the saints. It is obligatory upon you to pay attention to the subtleties of the reports and to follow the allusions from the speech of the Pure Imams, and what the wicked common folk deny.
For as our Master Amir Al-Mouminine (may his glory be exalted) said: Indeed, most of the truth is in what you deny.2