tasrih), and so forth. However, I will set an example for you to use as evidence for the foundation of these names which were established in every dome (qubba) and manifestation (zuhur), and which people have used in their poetry and prose.

Specifically, each of them names their worshipped [object] by the name of the branch, the flower, the rod, the bird, the gazelle, the buck, the young girl, the old woman, the doe, the boy, the youth, the middle-aged man, the moon, the sun, the morning, or [proper names like] Zaynab, Rabab, Layla, Lamya, Lubna, Su'da, or May. Likewise, [they use names like] wine, paradise, the wine-jar, the cup, the bowl, the goblet, the vine, and other such earthly and celestial names, and what... except they are names for these earthly designations; they have named their Beloved by them for the sake of concealment (al-tastur) only, and they intend by them none other than Him. As Baha’ al-Din Zuhayr, one of the poets of the seventh century AH, said regarding this meaning:

O You in whom I endure what I endure

My Master, I shall be patient until Allah judges.

I named another as my beloved

For the sake of a folk who spoke of You as they spoke. I say: "Zayd," yet Zayd I do not know