We then know the meanings of what is absent by what is present, as a kindness from the Creator (al-Bāriʾ)—exalted is His power. Were it not for that, we would not understand those secrets, nor would we comprehend those lights."

"Its interior contains mercy, but on the outside of it is torment The bad and the good in speech

I say: Indeed, the earth and what is in it are parables to point toward the heaven and what is in it—meaning, the sensibles (al-ḥissiyyāt) are the door of entry to the secrets. And this door:

{Its interior contains mercy, and its exterior is toward the punishment.} (Al-Ḥadīd: 13).

For mercy is from the direction of practicing religion and believing in its Inward (bāṭin), while punishment is from the direction of practicing religion and believing in its Outward (ẓāhir). This is because the Inward is the doctrine of the People of Monotheism (Ahl al-Tawḥīd) who affirm [the truth], and the Outward is the doctrine of the People of Polytheism (Ahl al-Shirk) who deny [it].

Know that what has come regarding the meaning of the "evil" (al-khabīth) and the "good" (al-ṭayyib) includes that which points to words, that which points to actions, and that which points to personages (al-ashkhāṣ).

As for what points to words, it is the saying of the Almighty: