Chapter Two: An Introduction to the Exposition of Names and How to Use Them

Know, O asker.. that the name (al-Ism) is derived from the mark (al-Simah), which is the sign (al-'Alamah); and it is said: that the name is derived from loftiness (al-Sumuw), which is elevation (al-Irtifa'). And indeed, names were made specifically for the people of the earth, not for others, and that is due to the need and necessity for them.

Just as Abu al-Hasan informed 'Umar, peace be upon them both, in the book Al-Maratib wa al-Daraj [The Ranks and Degrees]. He said: "These different names were only made for the possessors of dense bodies (al-Ajsam al-Kathifah) who travel one to another. As for the luminous bodies (al-Ajsam al-Nuraniyyah), their possessor reaches wherever he wishes by his time and his power."

I said: "But we see the stars are called by different names, and they reside in the Highest Assembly (al-Mala' al-A'la)?"

So he said: "They are only named with different names among us, not among them. And that was only done due to our need for it, and were it not for that, it would not have been done."

And Paul the Apostle (Bulus al-Rasul) alluded to this meaning in the fifth chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, by his saying: "I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh..."

And the Master Christ (al-Sayyid al-Masih), peace be upon him, alluded to this meaning in the third chapter of the Gospel of John, saying: