(332) My sheikh Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Baghdadi narrated to me, saying: Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nu'mani narrated to me, saying: I asked the Sheikh Abu Abd Allah al-Husayn ibn Hamdan al-Khasibi—may God brighten his face—regarding worship? He replied: "Worship is for the Meaning and prostration is for the Name." I said: "This is partnership in worship." He replied: "I seek refuge in God from Shirk or from assigning a partner or peer to the Meaning. The Meaning—exalted be his glory—honored and graced his Name by making him the Qibla for the world, toward which they prostrate, while worship is for the Meaning—Mighty and Sublime, glory be to Him."
(333) From him, he said: Abu al-Hassan al-Muqri narrated to me, saying: My lord Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Rifa'i narrated to me, saying: My lord and sheikh Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Khasibi—may God ennoble his station—narrated to me, saying: Askar ibn Muhammad al-Farisi—peace be upon him—narrated to me, saying: I said to my lord Shu'ayb Muhammad al-Numayri—peace be upon him: "O my lord, for whom is worship in its reality?" He replied: "For the One who said to Moses during the communion: {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 was from the Meaning to his Name, a definition that He is the Worshipped Lord. None declares with the 'N' of majesty except the Meaning—exalted be his glory. Whoever worships the Name without the Meaning is a disbeliever."
By the success granted by God the Almighty, we have clarified for those of intellect, insight, hearing, and essence through the four witnesses we presented—the speaking Book of God, the sunnah of His truthful Prophet, the consensus of the people of knowledge and transmission, and the proof of the intellect supporting the people of merit—that our Master Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory—is manifest, existing, One, and Worshipped; and that His servant, Messenger, Name, and Veil is one, manifest, existing, and a worshiper, not the Worshipped.