He replied: "This is its outward and its inward." While we were thus engaged in the discussion, my lord Abu Shu’ayb Muhammad—peace be upon him—approached. I rose, as did Ishaq and the group who were at the door, and they offered him peace. When he sat, he said to me: "O Hashemite, I heard you in a discussion with Abu Ya'qub; repeat it." I repeated it to him, and our Lord Abu Shu’ayb said to him: "This is the outward sense of this statement; what then is its inward?" Suddenly, Saqil the servant opened the door of the house and permitted the people to enter. Abu Shu’ayb took Ishaq by the hand and they entered along with the people. We offered peace to our Master—exalted be his glory—and he commanded us to sit. We sat, and Abu Shu’ayb sat beside him in his usual place. My Master said to me: "O Muhammad, you had asked Ishaq a question; repeat it." I repeated it in his presence.

Our Master then said to Abu Shu’ayb: "O Gate of God, return to what you had begun with Ishaq." Abu Shu’ayb said to Ishaq: "You have assigned persons to the flowers and fragrant herbs, yet regarding the statement of the Messenger—peace be upon us—you say its outward and inward are one!!?"

Ishaq fell silent. Our Master said to Lord Abu Shu’ayb: "O Gate of God, answer the Hashemite." Abu Shu’ayb said regarding the statement of the Messenger—exalted be his glory: "The credit for the credit: The Name is the Creditor (al-kali) for the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, and the Creditor who preserves him is the Meaning—exalted be his glory." This is as He said in His Mighty Book: {Say, "Who protects you by night and by day from the Compassionate?" But they are from the remembrance of their Lord turning away.}¹ Our Master al-Hasan—exalted be his glory—said to our lord Abu Shu’ayb—peace be upon him: "You have spoken the truth, O Gate of God."