يعقوب بن محمد

The Prophet (s) became immensely famished, so he went to the Ka`ba, held onto its cloak, and said: Lord of Muhammad! Do not starve Muhammad more than what You have [already] starved him. He said: So, Gabriel (as) came down to him with an almond. So, he said: O Muhammad! Allah recites the salaam to you. So, he said: O Gabriel! Allah is Peace, and peace is from Him, and peace will return to Him. So, he said: Surely, Allah commands you to break open this almond. So, he broke it open, and a fresh green leaf appeared, upon which it was written: “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Muhammad is aided and supported by `Ali. Allah does not bless those who distrust Allah in His judgment, and He decelerates their sustenance.”

his father Muhammad ibn `Ali al-Baqir (AS) was asked to interpret the Word of Allah, the Blessed and the Exalted: Say: He Allah is One. Therefore, He (AS) said: Say [qul] means relate to the people what we have revealed to you, and informed you about, regarding the meaning of the letters we have recited to you, so that you may guide those who listen and bear witness. The verse in question is a metonymical expression indication to the unseen One [gha`ib]. The letter [ha’] (in[huwa]) means motionless. The (letter) [waw] means unperceivable by the sense just like the word `this’ [hadha] means witnessed by means of the sense. This is because the unbelievers described their gods by means of perception. Hence, they would say: These are our gods who are sensed and perceived by the eyes. Therefore, O Muhammad, point to your God that you call pon so that we see Him, perceive Him, and be amazed by Him. Thus, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: Say He Allah is One. Therefore, the [ha] referes to the Motionless while the [waw] refers to the One who is Above Sensual Perception. In fact, He is the creator of the Senses, and He perceives all vision.