meaning the furthest. After it comes witnessing the Real in their engendering, which is higher than the witness’s witnessing them within the Manifest Record or elsewhere. Beneath this witnessing is every witnessing the servant has before the affair is engendered.
(Witnessing, Being With, and Being Before)
This is the state of one who says, ‘I have seen nothing without seeing God with it.’ His state is higher than that of one who says, ‘I have seen nothing without seeing God before it.’ The first is an expression of realization. Although the other is likewise an expression of realization, there is a distinction between them.
The saying of one resembles someone saying, ‘I saw Zayd making such-and-such,’ while the other says, ‘I saw the artisan making such-and-such.’ This is the difference between the two persons in what they witness.
Proper names were established only for addressing one another concerning their referent in his absence. In his presence they are not required. If they are used, it is either through proper conduct required by the situation or to confirm the report.
I have thus explained to you what you have heard of this Pole’s state. He has many states that I know. I do this with every Pole: I do not mention all his states, for the scope would become so broad that time would not suffice for it.
(The Seventh Pole, in the Footsteps of Job)
As for the seventh Pole, who follows in the footsteps of Job, peace be upon him, his sura is al-Baqara, the White One[9], containing the foremost verse of the Qurʾan. His Abodes are numbered according to its letters, not its verses. This Pole’s state is magnificence, such that he sees
Notes
[9]
(In the preceding summary of suras, al-Baqara was assigned to the sixth Pole, while here it appears for the seventh. The difference in order has been retained as in the original.)
