the Prophets are capable of manifesting celestial and earthly miracles. Since they hold this belief, it is necessary for them to also believe that although they [the Prophets] are luminous beings (nūrāniyyīn), they are capable of manifesting their essences to the people in human forms (al-ṣuwar al-bashariyya) and their [human] states; for that is a power like any other power they have manifested.

Furthermore, all the outward acts of worship (ẓawāhir al-ʿibādāt) are intended only for luminous personages, just as the manifestation of killing, crucifixion, death, eating, drinking, marriage, and so forth upon the Prophets and Successors is intended only for instruction (al-taʿlīm), discipline (al-taʾdīb), concealment (al-talbīs), and semblance (al-tashbīh). And just as it is not permissible for us belief in affirming that upon the Successors and Prophets, for it is also not permissible for us to believe in or practice as religion the outward forms (ẓawāhir) of these acts of worship, nor any other outward forms, because they were only parables (amthila) to point toward the Inward (al-Bāṭin), and so that we may also know the manner of concealing (al-tastur) among the Opposites (al-Aḍḍād).

Among the contradictory statements whose contradiction indicates the affirmation of the Inward and the annulment of the Outward is the saying of the Almighty in Surah al-Ḥāqqah:

{So as for he who is given his record in his right hand, he will say, "Here, read my record! Indeed, I thought that I would meet my account."