(211) That which confirms what we have explained—that the Meaning—Exalted—only manifests in His Essence—is what I related from our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory. He was asked regarding the word of God, the Mighty and Sublime: {It is He who has sent down to you the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise—they are the mother of the Book—and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow that which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation. And no one knows its interpretation except God. And those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding}1.
He—exalted be his glory—replied: "The precise verses are the Essential Manifestations. The unspecific are the Exemplary Manifestations, in which the people of turbidity imagine that the Meaning is manifest through His Name; whereas the People of Purity see Him only as manifest in His Essence."
(212) That which supports our belief—that the manifestations of the Meaning are entirely in Essence and that these seven manifestations are of vast knowledge—is what I related through a sound chain of transmission from Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari—peace be upon him. He said: My Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory—said to me one day while I was sitting: "O Jabir, do you recognize Abel?" I replied: "Yes, my Master, if you make him known to me." He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was Abel—exalted be his glory. I prostrated. He said—exalted be his glory—as I raised my head: "O Jabir, do you recognize Seth?" I replied: "Yes, my Master, if you make him known to me." He moved a second time, and behold, He was Seth—exalted be his glory. I prostrated. He said as I raised my head: "O Jabir, do you recognize Joseph?" I replied: "Yes, if you make him known to me, my Master." He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was Joseph. I prostrated. Then He said to me as I raised my head: "O Jabir, do you recognize Joshua?" I replied: "Yes, my Master, if you make him known to me." He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was Joshua.