He made the Light its Inward, while the Essence remains self-subsisting. That is [the meaning of] His saying: "Have you not turned your vision to your Lord—how He extends the Shadow? Had He willed, He could have made it stationary" ¹ . This refers to the Essence contained within it. The Unveiled Form is the very Essence of the Light, the Radiance, and the Shadow; it has neither changed nor faded throughout the ancient aeons, nor within the passing of time. Its Outward is the Unveiled Form, and its Inward is the Meaning (al-Ma’nawiyya). Thus, that Form is the Prime Matter of all Prime Matters (Hayula al-Hayulat), the Agent of all effects, the Foundation of all motions, and the Root of all words. She is the Cause of every Cause (Ma’allat kull 'illa); nothing knows her, and none knows what she is except she herself.'"

Regarding his statement: 'He veiled you through her [the Form] from Himself, yet He guided you through her to Himself. He is not she, yet He is not other than she. He is veiled by the Light, manifest through the Transfiguration (al-Tajalli). Everyone beholds Him according to their level of gnosis, and contemplates Him according to their capacity; among them are those who see Him as distant, and those who see Him as near.'