As for the proof from the perspective of the characters according to the requirements of alphanumeric calculation (al-jumal al-'adadi), the Exalted said in Surah Ash-Shura: “Hā, Mīm. ‘Ayn, Sīn, Qāf. Thus He reveals to you and to those before you: Allah, the Almighty, the Wise.”] ¹ . The people of The Exoteric (Al-Zahir)—specifically the interpreting Shi'a—have mentioned that what is meant by “Hā, Mīm” (H-M) is the Master Muhammad, and in that, they have agreed with the monotheists among the people of The Esoteric (Al-Batin)As for the characters “‘Ayn, Sīn, Qāf” (‘A-S-Q), they point from a hidden perspective—if I do not say from a clear one—to the name (Ali).

For they are three characters, and in the small alphanumeric calculation (al-jumal al-saghir), they total twenty-six; likewise, the word (Ali) is composed of three characters and totals the exact same number in that same calculation.

To clarify this according to the system of calculation for the reader:

The characters ‘Ayn, Sīn, Qāf (عسق): Rendered in the small calculation, the ‘Ayn (ع) is ten, the Sīn (س) is ten, and the Qāf (ق) is six, making the total 26.

The Arabic word Ali (علي): Composed of the ‘Ayn (ع) which is ten, the Lām (ل) which is six, and the Yā’ (ي) which is ten, yielding the exact same total of 26.

Its correct interpretation is that the Creator, the Exalted, addresses His Noble Prophet by His saying: (O Hā, Mīm)—meaning: O Muhammad, indeed “‘Ayn, Sīn, Qāf”—meaning Ali—reveals to you and to those before you, Allah, the Almighty, the Wise. The majestic word of majesty “Allah” occurring after the phrase “before you” comes in the grammatical position of a substitute (badal) for “‘Ayn, Sīn, Qāf”.