(346) What appeared from the Lord Salman—peace be upon him—is that he said: "I am the Gate of Gates and the Cause of causes. I have a master, and my master has a master who is the Root of roots; from him the matter began and to him it returns." Thus he established that he has a master, who is the Name—exalted be his glory—and his master has a master, who is Amir Almuminin—exalted be his glory.

(347) The saying of the Messenger to the Elite and the commoners: "I am from Ali and Ali is from me." The meaning of his saying "I am from Ali" is partial, while "Ali is from me" is universal. Another subtle and fine meaning: "I am from Ali" as his Name, his Veil, his Messenger, and his Place; and "Ali is from me" as my Goal, my Meaning, my Deity, and my Originator.

(348) Abu Lu’lu’a the Baker related from Sheikh Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Jali, from the Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Khasibi—may God brighten his face—regarding his saying: "I am from Ali" as a servant, and "He is from me" as a Lord. The Name is a servant to the Meaning; He is the First, the Last, the Outward, and the Inward, and He is All-Knowing of all things.

For though these are attributes of the Pre-eternal Meaning—Exalted—He bestowed them upon His Name—Majestic is His mention—because he is the location of His names and attributes. Except for the names of His Essence; those are exclusive to Him and none other may be invoked by them. The Name—exalted be his glory—is the one who creates a thing from a thing, while the Meaning—Exalted—creates a thing from nothing.

One group said: "The Name creates a thing from nothing, while the Meaning creates a thing from a thing." This is an error on their part. Had the matter been as they described, that from which the Mim was created would have to be either older than him or created alongside him.