In the latter case...

In the latter case, this is large because the commentators usually try to explain the text by referring to theological and philosophical concepts familiar to their readers, but not so to the average Westerner. However, that may be, such notes illustrate the manner in which later speculation has expanded and developed an aphoristic mode of expression into a complex metaphysical system.

The (PBUHH) Profession of Faith Abu Abdallah (the sixth Imam) related from his father that the Prophet of God-God bless him and his household [2] said in one of his sermons, “Praise belongs to God, who in His firstness (awwaliyyah) was solitary and in His beginninglessness (azaliyyah) was tremendously exalted through divinity and supremely great through His magnificence and power.

[3] He originated that which He produced and brought into being that which He created without a model (mithal) preceding anything that He created. Our Lord, the eternal (al-Qadim), unstitched (the heavens and the earth) [4]. Through the subtlety (lutf) of His lordship and the knowledge within His omniscience, created all that He created through the laws of His power (Qudrah), and split (the sky) through the light of dawn.

[5] So none changes His creation, none alters His handiwork, ‘none repels His law’ (XIII,45), [6] none rejects His command. There is no place of rest away from His call (dawah), [7] no cessation to His dominion and no interruption of His term. He is the truly existent (al-Kaynun) from the first and the truly enduring (al-Daymum) forever. He is veiled from His creatures by His light on the high horizon, in the towering might, and in the lofty dominion. He is above all things and below all things.

So He manifested Himself (tajalla) to His creation without being seen, and He transcends being gazed upon. He wanted to be distinguished by the profession of Unity (unity) when He withdrew behind the veil of His light, rose high in His exaltation and concealed Himself from His creation.” [8] “He sent to them messengers so they might be His conclusive argument against His creatures [9] and so His messengers to them might be witnesses against them.