[151] And it has been reported from the Messenger (exalted be his might) that he said: "O Ali, your likeness is like the Kaaba." This means that people come to the Kaaba for circumambulation (tawaf), while it does not go to anyone.

"He neither begets nor is born": Meaning that he is exalted above having parents or children; that is, Abu Talib was not his father, nor was Fatima bint Asad his mother, nor were Al-Hasan, Al-Husayn, and Muhsin his sons in the manner of natural fatherhood and sonship. Rather, the occurrence of that was by way of compelling power and concealment (talbis) upon deficient souls and intellects, and because he manifested among humans resembling them in their condition, he took a name for identification, as is the case with naming every human so that he may be known by his name. He manifested birth from parents, marriage, children, death, and the like, because the people to whom he manifested undergo these matters and states among themselves and upon themselves.