my station only rises above those seekers who have not yet reached their full maturity, and my elevation over them is during the period of seeking only. Once they reach what I have reached, the successor (al-lāḥiq) among them shall become a predecessor (sābiqan) [to me], due to my deficiency in knowledge and the inadequacy of my mind in understanding.

Through this dictum, I ventured to compose this epistle, not being ignorant of the weakness of my expressions and the scantiness of my resources in clarifying the majesty of what I have committed to—regarding the speech on the true sciences and the precise, inner, hidden secrets. I seek refuge in the protection of my Supreme Master from distortion (al-taḥrīf), alteration (al-tabdīl), and scribal errors (al-taṣḥīf) in what I have presented. I have no hand in this work except in bringing its meanings closer; rather, it is from what I have transmitted from the Monotheists (al-Muwaḥḥidīn) and heard from the mouths of the Believers—following [precedent] rather than inventing in the totality of the principles (uṣūl) of this epistle.

As for its branches (furū‘) rather than its principles,