For recognizing the manifestation of the Divine in the human form is a difficult matter, and isolating the Essence from the form is a matter deemed demanding. Herein lies the subtle secret, the profound enigma, and the momentous affair. In accordance with the believer's proficiency in recognizing this matter, they are a monotheist believer, and an enlightened, transcending gnostic. We ask Allah, glorified and exalted is He, to make us among those who boarded the Ark of Salvation, drank from the Water of Life, and triumphed in the recognition of negation and affirmation; indeed, He is Generous, Bountiful, Exalted, and Supreme.

Therefore, and as we stated at the beginning of this chapter, our noble doctrine is established upon the principle of negation and affirmation. This principle was settled by the saying of the Sheikh in the Epistle (al-Risalah): "Indeed, that form is He by way of affirmation and bringing into existence, in truth and certainty, and by way of manifestation and sensory witnessing; yet He is not she, neither in totality, nor in combination, nor by encompassing, nor by restriction."

And it came in the Noble Constitution (al-Dustur al-Mukarram): "I bear witness that the witnessed form is the Total Ultimate; she is not the totality of the Creator,