It signifies that the Meaning—may His might be exalted—manifested within humanity the smallness and growth of childhood, the perfection and strength of youth, and the decline and weakness of old age. All of this is a trial (imtihan) for the entire world at all times.' 1
From the 'Book of the Realities of Religious Secrets' (Kitab Haqa’iq Asrar al-Din): By Abu Muhammad al-Hasan bin Ali bin Shu'ba al-Harrani. He was a contemporary of the Sheikh Abu Abd Allah [al-Khasibi]—may God be pleased with them both— and several hadiths have been narrated from the Sheikh in this book.
He says (may God sanctify his soul), citing the 'Book of Foundations' (al-Usus): 'Gnosis (ma'rifa) is not complete until one attains the gnosis of Vision, the Boundaries, and the Form.'
He says: Abu Ali Muhammad bin Hammam narrated to me, saying: Al-Husayn bin Ahmad informed us, saying: Al-Husayn bin Muhammad bin Ghaylan narrated to me, saying: Sijad and Al-Husayn bin Ali bin Abd al-Karim bin Ubayd Allah bin Maslama bin 'Ata narrated to me, on the authority of Abu Abd Allah [al-Sadiq]—may His might be exalted—that he said:
'Whoever claims to know God through spatial directions is a polytheist (mushrik).