What is the meaning of "appeared to them"? Is not the "appearing" by means of an image?!
Our Master the Messenger of God (may his glory be exalted) said: "I saw my Lord in the alleys of Medina with an abundant [head of] hair, tightly curled, and He was a youth, an accepted youth."1
Our Master Amir Al-Mouminine (may his glory be exalted) appeared to Jabir ibn 'Abdillah al-Ansari (upon him is peace) in the image of the Mim, the image of the Fa, and the image of the two Ha'. Then He returned to the image of the 'Ayn. It is the noble, great, generous Image, appearing by the veils, which the meanings of the books could never encompass. He said: "O Jabir, these are My veils and My garments. I appear in them in every time and age."2
Our Master Zayn al-'Abidin (may his glory be exalted) appeared to Jabir ibn 'Abdillah al-Ansari (upon him is peace) in the image of the Mim, the Fa, the Ha, and the Sin, and he called to the image of the 'Ayn. He said: "Does your intellect bear this, O Jabir? They are shirts [garments] in every time and age. The shirts change, but I do not change."3
For the Prophets and the Imams are the Temples of Light, through whom the Truth is manifested at the time of Appearance.