And according to the philosophers, Gabriel is merely an image in the Prophet’s mind, not an angel who comes from heaven. In their view, the Prophet receives from this image, whereas the Seal of the Saints, they claim, receives from the immaterial intellect from which the image itself receives. Thus, he draws from the same source as the angel who conveys revelation to the Messenger.

They exalt Pharaoh and repeat the words of the author of al-Fusūs (The Bezels), who said:

“Since Pharaoh occupied the position of command as the master of his age, and this accorded with the conventions of religious law, he therefore said, ‘I am your lord, most high.’ That is: ‘Although all are lords in some respect, I am the highest among them by virtue of the outward authority over you that I have been given.’”

He said: “When the sorcerers knew that Pharaoh spoke truthfully, they did not reject his statement but acknowledged it, saying to him, ‘So decree whatever you will decree. Your decree concerns only this worldly life.’”

He said: “Thus Pharaoh’s statement, ‘I am your lord, most high,’ was true, even though Pharaoh was identical with the Real.”

A trustworthy man who had belonged to them but later renounced their ways told me that the person they hated most was Muhammad ibn Abd Allāh, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

He said: “When a donkey brays or a dog barks, they prostrate to it and say, ‘This is Allah, for it is one of the manifestations.’”

He said: “I said to him, ‘Muhammad ibn Abd Allāh is also one of the manifestations, so treat him like the other manifestations, since you venerate them all—or else say nothing about him.’”

He said: “They replied to me, ‘Muhammad—we hate him because he proclaimed the distinction, called people to it, and punished those who did not affirm it.’”

He said: