As the first way is not possible except for the prophets and the perfect ones...

As the first way is not possible except for the prophets and the perfect ones, the second path has been mentioned in the tradition (here ends his statement).[^6] This interpretation of his is based on his taking the statements of Shaykh Kulayni as part of the noble tradition and as the exposition of the words of Hadrat Amir al-Mu’minin by Hadrat Sadiq (A). Fourth is the interpretation of the muhaqqiq Fayd (M).

The gist of it is that every being has an essence ( mahiyyah ) and an existence ( wujud ) . The essences of things consist of their own particular delimitations and their essential aspect, whereas their existence consists of their Godward aspect, by virtue of which their entities subsist and their effects, potency, and efficiency become manifest.

Hence if one were to take the essences of things into view and their delimitations, and try to know God through their aspect of contingency and their dependence on God, he would be knowing God by things not by God. Moreover,…