for therein is no 'No,' 'How,' or 'What'; for through the questioning of 'No,' 'How,' and 'What,' the misguided perished and the doubters went astray," is an announcement and a grace to us. It informs us that those who perished only did so due to their doubt, wandering, and confusion regarding the state of the manifestation in the visible form (al-mar'iyya)—which He used to familiarize Himself with the worlds when He appeared among them as one of them. That was because they said: "This is not our Lord! That [Lord] is luminous, while this is corporeal. How can this be? It is not permissible, nor is it fitting."

The Appearance of the Creator to the Luminous World

He had appeared to them as they were, while they were atoms (Dharru) in the ancient luminosity, and He said: "Am I not your Lord?" This speech was only based on a prior recognition. They said: "Bala" (Yes), but its [inner] meaning was "No." Their confession to Him was merely outward because of the powers they witnessed and the Light that dazzled them, overwhelming their sight. However, their hearts and inner secrets refused that. Thus, when He established the proof against them from both directions, and they denied Him in both manifestations, the word of punishment became justified against them. They were cursed, overturned, and joined with the one who is the root of their element and the beginning of their delusion: Iblis of the Satans (Iblis al-Abalisa)—may Allah curse him. They are human in their temples (Hayakil) but satanic in their souls.