their questions and his answers in full. Such is the condition of every Pole receiving the pledge of allegiance in his time.
In this chapter, let us mention some of his conditions common to every Pole, rather than those particular to him. Thus one who examines this book of mine, possesses tasting and witnesses him, may know that in this book we have not departed from the way known to every gnostic among the people of this affair.
Were we to mention his particular condition, someone might say, “This is a claim.” Let us begin, then, with the condition of the Farther Imam, then the Nearer Imam, then the Pole.
(The Farther Imam: ʿAbd Rabbihi)
As for the Farther Imam, who is ʿAbd Rabbihi, his state is weeping out of compassion for the world, because of the acts of disobedience he sees its people committing. He looks upon the orientation of the divine names that require punishment and taking to task.
The divine names requiring pardon and overlooking in response to those acts of disobedience do not disclose themselves to him. Hence he weeps greatly, continually praying for God’s servants, compassionate toward them, and asking God, glorified is He, to lead them along the path of conformity.
I encountered this Imam in one of my travels. Among the righteous I have seen, I have seen no one more fearful for God’s servants or more merciful.
I said to him, “Why does jealousy for God not seize you?” He replied, “I do not wish anyone to be jealous for God on my account. Rather, I wish God to be petitioned on my account, that He may have mercy on me and overlook my faults. I therefore love for God’s servants only what I love for myself. One truthful with God ought not assume the form of a state not given him by
