(207) It is similarly related from our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory—that he said: "Whoever recognizes the locations of the Attribute has reached the stable foundation of Knowledge." The Attribute is the Lord Muhammad—exalted be his glory—who is the intended one, and the stable foundation of Knowledge is the recognition of the Ain, the Worshipped Meaning—exalted be his glory.

(208) This is my narration from my sheikhs—may God be pleased with them. Hammud al-Masri narrated to me, saying: I said to the Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Khasibi—may God ennoble his station: "O my lord, is the Higher World in need of knowing the Names and Attributes?" He replied: "Yes, both the Higher and Lower worlds are in need of knowing the Names and Attributes. The evidence for this is what we have related: 'That some of the angels said to one another: "Come, let us seek the Lord," for He was hidden from them. He then manifested to them in the form of a small child in need of upbringing; He demonstrated power among them and then vanished from them. Later, He manifested to them in the form of a youth of great strength with twisted moustaches, riding a lion in a state of wrath; He demonstrated power to them and then vanished from them. Finally, He manifested to them in the form of a Great Elder.'" This is what Daniel—exalted be his glory—mentioned, saying: "I saw the Ancient of Days in the form of an elder with white head and beard, in a state of devotion and dignity, sitting upon a throne of gold, beside which was a couch of gold, with the angels circling around him and magnifying him."

The Elder demonstrated power among them and then vanished from them. When the forms differed for the angels while the Power did not differ, they said to Him: "Glory be to You, there is no deity but You! Manifest as You will, through whatever You will, for You are You." This was through His granting them success. Our Master, the Prince of Bees—exalted be his glory—possesses many noble and sublime names. Some are in the Quran, whose outward sense all of creation knows so they may invoke Him by them; however, His names in the Exemplary Manifestations—their reality is known only to the Shu'aybi group.¹