The Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram): is the rank of the Gate, none else. It is forbidden (haram) for all other ranks to ascend to this rank, and it is forbidden to attribute the manifestation of the Meaning—exalted be his glory—to its direction.
The meaning of the Farthest Mosque (al-Masjid al-Aqsa): He intends by it the Name before whom thoughts are cut off; he is the Utmost Goal and the Highest Veil. The Meaning—exalted be His praise—is higher and more majestic than that. From the speech of the Ain—exalted be His power—is an indication toward the Mim and a proof of him, because He pointed to His Name. His Name and Veil pointed to Him by the words of the Almighty: {So glory be to Him in whose hand is the sovereignty of all things and to Him you will be returned}1. Our Master the Pre-eternal—exalted be his glory—makes known that the sovereignty of all things is in the hand of His Veil, and to Him they return.
Among what my lord and sheikh Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Baghdadi—may God be pleased with him and well-pleased—related regarding the words of the Almighty: {But those who disbelieved—their deeds are like a mirage in a lowland which a thirsty person considers to be water until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing but finds God before him, and He will pay him in full his due; and God is swift in account}2. He said: my narration from my sheikh Abu al-Hassan al-Muqri from his sheikhs: the Water is Salsal, and he is the "Thing."