I prostrated to His greatness, then raised my head. He said to me: "O Jabir, do you recognize Asaph?" I replied: "Yes, my Master, if you make him known to me by Your bounty." He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was Asaph. I prostrated. He said to me as I raised my head: "O Jabir, do you recognize Simon?" I replied: "Yes, my Master, if you make him known to me, I shall recognize him." He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was Simon. I prostrated. He said to me after I raised my head: "O Jabir, do you recognize Ali?" I smiled and said: "Yes, my Master, O Prince of Bees!" He moved His head within His cloak, and behold, He was the One of vast knowledge; He had not ceased from His being, even if He manifested to the sight.

Our saying: "Prince of Bees," follows the statement of our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory—to Abu Mu'awiya: "O Abu Mu'awiya, convey my peace to my followers (Shia) and tell them: 'Indeed, your likeness is but that of the bee,'" as the report previously mentioned.

Another aspect: The bees are the line of the Imamate, and He is their Prince and the provider of knowledge to them. Thus, our saying "Prince of Bees" means Prince of the Imamate—that is: their Lord and their God. He is independent of them and distinct from them, while they are in need of Him and never devoid of Him.

In this chapter, we have revealed the reality of Oneness and its proof for those of understanding, as well as the manifestation of the Meaning—Exalted and Sublime—in Essence, which is sufficient and enriching for the successful seeker. It increases the fortunate student in discernment, guidance, and light by which he is illuminated through the aid of the Most High—glory be to Him—for He is Kind to whom He wills.

We shall follow this with what the intended purpose necessitates, using witnesses from the reports I related from my lord, master, and sheikh Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Baghdadi—may God reward him and be pleased with him—which he related from the sheikhs he met and from whom he took the sound narration.