through concentrated aspiration.
I neither name nor identify him, for I was forbidden this and acquainted with the reason I was prevented from identifying him by name. No other among these Poles was given all-comprehensive possession of what Polehood requires, just as Adam, peace be upon him, was given all the Names, and Muhammad, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, was given the all-comprehensive words.
Were there a Pole upon Muhammad’s footing, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, it would be this Pole. Yet none is upon Muhammad’s footing, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, except some of the great Solitaries, whose number is unknown. They are hidden among creation, innocent knowers of God. They cause no loss, nor are they recognized so as to suffer loss.
Their station is protection in what they know. No uncertainty enters their knowledge to bewilder them concerning what they know; rather, they stand upon a clear indication from their Lord. This is the Solitaries’ state. Let us return to mentioning this Pole.
(The Suras and Abodes)
We say: His Abodes with God correspond in number to this sura’s verses. Likewise every Pole’s Abodes correspond to the verses of his sura. Their suras are known. I mention them collectively, then mention them, God, exalted is He, willing.
The first, as we said, possesses Ya Sin; the second al-Ikhlas; the third ‘When God’s victory comes’; the fourth al-Kafirun; the fifth ‘When it is shaken’; the sixth al-Baqara;[6] the seventh al-Mujadala; and the eighth Al ‘Imran.
Notes
[6]
(This attribution occurs in the collective account here; in the detailed account of the sixth Pole, the text later mentions al-Waqi‘a. Both passages have been retained as they stand.)
Translator’s note: The unvocalized verb concerning loss permits active and passive readings; the following clause links recognition with suffering loss.
