So, if it is Known, Perceived by the Intellect and the Sense—its Inward is the Reality (Al-Haqiqa) and its Outward is the Gnosis (Al-Ma'rifa)—this is among the strongest proofs of his saying: "The Visible Form" is the proof of the Whole; meaning, Total Existence1.
"It is the Total Goal": Meaning the Attached Gate (Al-Bab al-Lasiq) and the Speaking Figure (Al-Shabah al-Natiq). Because Existence is the Veil from which Existential Perfection appeared, and [it is] the Great Unique One (Al-Yatim al-Akbar—The Great Orphan) who is the "Earth of the Gate."
Footnotes
1The discussion is about the Worshipped Meaning manifesting in the Form of Existence visible to the intellect and the limited vision.Its Inward: Is the Absolute Reality, which is the Abstract Luminous Core (Kunh) and the Essential Existence, of which none knows what He is except Him.Its Outward: Is the knowledge of Him through the Attributes witnessed by vision.The Visible Form is the proof of the Whole: Meaning, the Total Luminous Existence which does not accept increase or decrease in its Essence.Existence is a Reality possessing different ranks. Just as they used the analogy of the Reality of Light—according to what simple understanding grasps—that it is a single reality with different ranks in intensity and weakness. For example, there is strong light, medium light, and weak light.The strong rank is not "light plus something extra" added to luminosity.Nor does the weak rank lose anything from the reality of light, nor does it mix with darkness (which is the non-existence of light).Rather, each of its different ranks adds nothing to the shared Reality of Light, nor loses anything from it. It is Light in a specific, simple rank, not composed of parts, nor joined by an adjunct. It is distinguished from others by its very essence, which is the shared Luminosity.Thus, Light is a Single, Simple Reality: Multiplied in the essence of its unity, and United in the essence of its multiplicity."It is the Total Goal": Meaning the Attached Gate and the Speaking Figure."Existence is the Veil" (i.e., Luminous Existence): It is the Veil from which Existential Perfection appeared (i.e., the Centrality of Radiance)."The Great Orphan" (Al-Yatim al-Akbar): Who is the "Earth of the Gate," meaning the Shadow (Al-Zill).Our Master al-Sadiq (Exalted be His Might) said: "The Light, the Radiance, and the Shadow are the Visible Form, and they are the Essence." (The segmentation applies to the terms, not to the Essence).