They added nothing more to that, and he [Ali] understood their meaning.

I say: The gist of this discourse is the knowledge of rejecting the Exoteric (al-Ẓāhir) and affirming the Esoteric (al-Bāṭin). The proof lies in their eating during the day in the month of Ramadan, for they are eternally self-sufficient of food and drink, let alone the [physical] fast of Ramadan. Furthermore, the silence of the Commander of the Faithful [Ali] regarding them—despite his knowledge of their situation—and his questioning them about travel, illness, or other excuses was merely to confirm for us that their act was intentional and that the Commander of the Faithful was satisfied with it.

The phrase "Anta Anta" (You are You), repeated twice, indicates that the true meaning of Fasting is the concealment (kitmān) of the knowledge of all the obligations, which is the knowledge of the heavenly and earthly esoteric manifestations. This indicates the following correspondences:

Fasting (al-Ṣawm): The concealment of His knowledge.

Prayer (al-Ṣalāt): The profession of and adherence to this knowledge.

Pilgrimage (al-Ḥajj): The intention (al-qaṣd) toward knowing Him.

Zakat: Teaching this knowledge to those worthy of it.

Jihad: Bearing the soul's suffering and harm for its sake.