As for me, O Sheikh, I have worshipped the Unique, Eternal Essence (al-jawhar al-fard al-qadim)—the Creator Who causes me to die and then brings me to life, and Who I aspire will forgive me my sin on the Day of Recompense. On the other hand, that which you established as being contrary to it is merely what resembled your own density, and your physical form that resembled your intellect, as well as the disobedience and the halting hesitation that bewildered your mind until [it showed you] 1 your Originator as a likeness of yourself.
Furthermore, regarding the belief of your disciple Rabiah concerning the Lineage (al-satr)—namely that it is spiritual—it is identical to your own belief [regarding the outward] 2 and your abandonment of the inward to which you have no pathway. Therefore, what need have I to blame one of deficient understanding? As for your belief that the Lineage of the Imamate is essential and spiritual, we shall, with the help of God the Exalted, clarify the path in that regard for whoever follows the truth and the word of sincerity.