Accordingly, every shortcoming that occurs in the world of exteriorization and every sin that appears in the mazahir (manifestations), whether on the level of creation ( takwin ) or on the level of volitional action ( tashri’ ) , is attributable to the zahir (i.e. that which is manifested through the rnazahir ) in accordance with the necessary relation between zahir and mazhar. This attribution is not metaphorical, but literal and factual.
It is the reality of this relation, which is pointed out in the following verses: ﴿وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِنْ نَفْسِكَ.﴾ Whatever evil visits thee it of thy self. ( 4:79 ) ﴿قُلْ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ.﴾ Say: Everything it from God. ( 4:78 ) And reference to this matter occurs a lot in the Noble Prophet’s traditions: نَحْنُ السَّابِقُونَ الآخِرُونَ. We are the foremost and the last ones.[^3] آدَمُ وَمَنْ تَحْتَهُ تَحْتَ لِوَائِي يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ.
Adam and whoever that came after him shall stand under my standard on the Day of Resurrection.[^4] أَوَّلُ مَا خَلَقَ اللهُ نُورِي. The first thing that God created was my light.[^5] سَبَّحْنَا فَسَبَّحَتِ المَلائِكَةُ وَقَدَّسْنَا فَقَدَّسَتِ المَلائِكَةُ. (Before Adam was created) we glorified (God) and following us the angels glorified (Him We extolled (His) sanctity and following us the angels called Him Holy.[^6] لَوْلانَا مَا عُرِفَ اللهُ.
Had we not existed, God would not have been known.[^7] لَوْلاكَ لَمَا خَلَقْتُ الأَفْلاكَ. (God said to the Prophet) Had you not been, I would not have created the heavens.[^8] نَحْنُ وَجْهُ اللهِ.
We are the face of God.[^9] It is stated in a tradition that “the Messenger of Allah (S) (in relation to the community of the faithful) has the position of the tree’s trunk; the Imams of Guidance (A) are its branches; their followers ( shi’ah ) are like the leaves of the tree.”[^10] Hence, the beauty of the sacred tree of wilayah is manifested through the mazahir. Should one of the mazahir suffer a shortcoming that will affect the sacred tree.
Hence, the sins of all the existents are the sins of the Absolute Master ( al-wali al-mutlaq ) , and God Almighty, with His encompassing mercy and all-inclusive forgiveness, has showered His grace upon the Noble Prophet (S), declaring, ‘The sins of the former people and the sins of those to come will be covered by My encompassing mercy and the entire realm of being shall attain its ultimate felicity through your shafa’ah (intercession), and: وَآخِرُ مَنْ يَشْفَعُ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ.