Meaning does not manifest through His Name [as a tool], but manifests only through His Essence (Dhat).

...up to his statement: "He is the Lord of the image, its speaking and its silent aspects; and the image is the Name."

The Questioner asked: "Is your statement the same regarding the image of the Commander of the Faithful?" The Scholar replied: "No." The Questioner asked: "And why?" The Scholar replied: "Because that Image has no Imager (Musawwir) [who created it]."

From the Discourse of Abu Sa’id in "al-Risala al-Najhiyya"

From al-Risala al-Najhiyya regarding the refutation of the apostate: I had intended to extract from it the proofs of this Truth—that the Visible Image is the Ultimate Purpose. However, I found that the entire treatise was authored specifically to establish this Truth and to negate the claim of those who say: "The visible image is produced (Maf’ula) and created (Makhluqa)." Let the reader refer to it, for transcribing it in full would be lengthy; nevertheless, I shall set down here for the reader what I have habitually transcribed with complete integrity.

From it: The Master Abu Sa’id (may Allah sanctify his soul) says:

"He is the Namer (al-Musammi) of all names, including the Name (al-Ism) and the Gate (al-Bab), and [He exists] without them. These are Seven Stations (Maqamat) in which He stood by His Essence (al-Dhat),