sought, and for every Place a Gate (Bab) through which He is reached—and the All is He, O He, O He!

> I ask You by Salakun Salaka to forever gather the ranks of the believers, to unite their hearts upon piety, and to make me a follower unto them."

Then you ask [your personal need] after that, for Allah shall grant you what you desire.'

Yahya ibn Ma'in said: 'I asked him for the interpretation of his saying: "We ask You by Salakun Salaka?"

He replied: "The interpretation of this speech is Bunani (ancient/primordial). It was the first speech uttered upon the face of the earth, and these are the Words (Kalimat) which Adam received from his Lord—and He is Muhammad, who is the Name (Ism) and the Veil (Hijab)."'

I also asked the trustworthy Sheikh, Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Jilli (may Allah be pleased with him), regarding the interpretation of: 'We ask You by Salakun Salaka?'

He replied: 'Its interpretation in Arabic is: I ask You by the Guide of those who guide to You, and He is the Name.'"