of more than he knew.1 Whosoever worships the Name and is ignorant of the Meaning has disbelieved. Whosoever worships the Meaning and is ignorant of the Name has gone astray. Whosoever says He is non-existent has referred to non-existence. Whosoever says He is perceived by visions has likened Him to His creation. Whosoever says He is in His creation has made Him in need of His place. Whosoever says He is outside of His creation has denied His existence. Whosoever knows Him by His indicators, points to Him from the aspect of the appearance of His signs2 and believes in what he witnesses of His miracles, those are the true companions of Amir Al-Muminin who, when called, they answer.'
And it was related from the Messenger of Allah — Exalted Glory — that he said: 'Do not say that you knew Allah through us, but say you knew us through Allah.'
And from al-Sadiq — Exalted Glory — that he said: 'Whosoever worships what is not seen has worshiped an unknown, absent thing. Whosoever worships what is seen has worshiped a limited, originated thing. Whosoever says He is not witnessed has referred to non-existence. Whosoever says that visions witness Him, then his like may be seen. Whosoever describes Him by what occurred in his thought has only described himself. Whosoever says He is veiled from His creation only meant someone else. Whosoever says He is manifest to them and they see Him as a peer has only specified Him. Whosoever knows Him from the aspect of acknowledgment of Him, believes in what He manifests of miracles, denies what he saw [with the physical eye], and establishes what appeared [of the Truth], those are the true companions of Amir Al-Muminin.'"
And from him — Exalted Glory — he said: "The people regarding monotheism (tawḥid) are of three categories: the one who establishes, the one who negates, and the one who likens. As for the