The Divine Manifestations and Their Likeness

Should someone ask or an objector protest, saying: "These miracles were manifested by our Lord Ali ibn al-Husayn, Zayn al-Abidin (Glorified be His Might), to Hubaba al-Walibiyya and Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari (Peace be upon them both), distinguishing them with what He revealed to them specifically, excluding others present from the people of the luminous ranks. And there is no dispute among the Monotheists (Muwahiddun) and all other believers that the Lord the Name (Al-Ism)—Glorified be His Might—manifested and was named Ali ibn al-Husayn. How then did our Lord Zayn al-Abidin, the Gate (Al-Bab) and their Master, point to Himself in what He revealed here to Hubaba and Jabir, [claiming] that He is the First Who never ceases, and the Worshiped Meaning (Al-Ma’na) Who does not change or shift?"

We say to him, and with Allah is all success: Indeed, the Meaning (Al-Ma’na)—Exalted and Sublime—does not manifest except through His Essence in all His manifestations within His earth and His heavens. Thus, the manifestation of the Meaning—Hallowed be His Will—from the Lord Abel (Habil) unto our Lord the Commander of the Faithful [Ali] the Faithful, Ali; and these are seven essential, "Anza'i" manifestations—though all of His manifestations are essential and "Anza'i.