Similitude is the evidence for what is absent from our perception; thus, it is necessary to know the exoteric (al-Zahir) to infer by it the esoteric (al-Batin) and to conceal [the truth] through it as well, not to profess religion by it or believe in it.

As for Negation, it is the negation of belief and the profession of religion by those formal, similar, and symbolic evidences.

As for Affirmation, it is that we believe and profess religion by affirming what we inferred through similitude regarding the divine esoteric meanings and the celestial luminous persons.

Hajj [The Pilgrimage]. Al-Makzun gathered all the meanings of the obligation in

the Commander of the Faithful (Amir Al-Mu'minin).

And if we do not negate the belief in similitude (al-Tashbih), we would have neglected a pillar of the pillars of Monotheism (al-Tawhid), which is Negation (al-Nafy). Just as if we do not affirm the esoteric (al-Batin) and profess religion and believe in it, we would have neglected one of the three pillars, which is Affirmation (al-Ithbat). And if we do not learn the method of similitude to infer by it the esoteric and to conceal [the truth] through it among the adversaries (al-A dad), we would have neglected a pillar of the pillars of Monotheism, which is Similitude. And Monotheism will not be upright except upon these three pillars together, according to the meaning of what has preceded; and God knows best.