(222) From him, he said: I said to our Master al-Sadiq—exalted be his glory: "What is the proof that God is One?" He replied: "The coupling of the world."

Abu Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim al-Nu'mani—may God be pleased with him—narrated to me, saying: I asked our lord al-Khasibi—may God ennoble his station—regarding worship? He replied: "Worship is for the Meaning and prostration is for the Name." I said: "O my lord, this is partnership (shirk)." He replied: "I seek refuge in God from such a thing, or from the Meaning having a partner or an equal. The Meaning—Exalted—ennobled His Name and honored him, making him the Qibla for the world, toward which they prostrate, while worship is for the Meaning."

(223) From him, he said: My sheikh Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Rifa'i narrated to me from the Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Khasibi—may God brighten his face—who said: Askar ibn Muhammad al-Farisi narrated to me, saying: I said to our lord Abu Shu'ayb Muhammad al-Numayri—peace be upon him: "O my lord, for whom is worship?" He replied: "For the One who said to Moses—exalted be his glory—during his communion with Him: {And I have chosen you, so listen to what is inspired. Indeed, I am God. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.}"¹ This statement from the Meaning was a definition for the world to his Name, that He is the Worshipped Lord. None declares with the "N" of majesty (Nun al-Azama) except the Meaning—exalted be his glory. Whoever worships the Name without the Meaning is a disbeliever.

(224) By the chain of transmission from the Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Khasibi, from Askar ibn Muhammad, from our lord Abu Shu'ayb al-Numayri, from Umar ibn al-Furat, from Muhammad ibn al-Mufaddal, from his father al-Mufaddal—peace be upon them—who said: "The Lord—exalted be His bounties—is the Manifest among the nations;