The one addressed outwardly as Adam, the Father of Mankind, is inwardly (according to the People of Reality) Zayd ibn Haritha, the "Informed One" (al-Munabba'). He was named Zayd because his rank increased (zada) over the rank of the other Informed ones, who number seventeen persons; Zayd is the first and most noble of them. The name of the Informed One in every cycle is derived from the name of the Prophet. The address of blame and warning recorded in the Quran and other revealed books falls upon the Informed One. The Informed One in the time of Abraham—exalted be his glory—was called Abraham ibn Azar; in the era of Moses, he was Moses ibn Ashyam—peace be upon him; and with Jesus, he was Jesus ibn al-Majdalaniyya. All that occurred in these manifestations of address involving blame, command, or prohibition falls upon these mentioned Informed ones, while the Name—exalted be his glory—is transcendent above that.

The scholars of Hadith who transmitted the Book of al-Mujtaba related: Before the human world, there were worlds in this Abode known as the Hann, the Bann, the Tamm, and the Jann (who are the Jinn). Each world stayed in this Abode for epochs and ages as God willed. His knowledge preceded them; there were calls and warnings among them, and God sent messengers to them and established laws for them. They branched into nations and groups, and among them were warnings, excuses, promises, and threats, just as occurred in this human world. There arose among them Pharaohs, Adversaries, Iblises, and devils. God—the Mighty and Sublime—sent messengers and raised prophets among them, but they denied what they brought, opposed those sent to them, spread corruption on earth, and shed blood. The proof of this is His word: {And when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am making a successor upon the earth." They said, "Will You place therein one who spreads corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" He said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."}¹