BB00421: Fi ’ilmi’l-Huruf va’l-Iksir (Letter on gematria and alchemy)

In regard to thy question concerning the science of letters: take, from the head of each ten, the first letter. Over the first, reckon the element of fire, circumambulating the Name of God, “the Withholder”; over the second, the element of air, around the Name of God, “the Living”; over the third, the element of water, around the Name of God, “the True”; and over the fourth, the element of earth, around the Name of God, “the Causer of Death.” Then multiply the letters of each decade—the first by the fourth, and the third by the second; thereafter subtract seven, and pass judgment upon the seven after thou hast regarded the twenty-nine mansions in the science of the stars. Conform the letters to their rulings: to fire the ordinance of fire, to air the ordinance of air, to water the ordinance of water, and to earth the ordinance of earth.

This is the very point of knowledge and its key. Go forth upon the straight line from that gate, and thou shalt find the Greatest Dominion. This is the talismanic limit recorded in the books of the Christians; until this day no pens have run with its like. Safeguard it with the safeguarding of the Greater. And if no ruling proceedeth therefrom, be not grieved, neither suppose it rejected; for God hath sent it down from this Pen in conformity with the Book—nor is there aught fresh or dry but it is inscribed in that Book.

As to thy question regarding the Elixir, know thou that God hath created nothing but that He hath placed within it the Letter of the Elixir in its appointed station. But as for the realities: journey with me unto the Throne, that I may array them above it, by my own hands for thy sake, until thou beholdest it. Fire—this is the Greatest Name of God: kindle it to unveil the veils of benefits. Then set the branch upon its proper limit that it may put forth growth; and take of the fruit of the Tree that issued from Mount Sinai, according to the measure of Decree in the secret of Destiny, and carry it to its place: thou shalt find the Oil of the Greatest Red. Thereupon the fire shall be nearer than the twinkling of an eye. There, thou art the Sign of God and thou belongest unto God; and everything, in all the worlds, after its measure—until the matter endeth in the realm of minerals.

Here, then, We concealed it from disclosure to onlookers at the meeting-place of contraries. Rely, in this, upon the page—the secret of the two lines within the two secrets—lest any gain access thereto. And sufficient is God—and the Proof upon the Truth—as Witness. Wert thou to know, thou wouldst recognize Our knowledge in the fashioning of the Elixir; then wouldst thou, in very truth, know the reality of the matter in this place—attested by those whom God hath called to witness, by the creation of the earth and the heaven, and by His creation of the self.

And there is no power nor strength save in God, the Exalted, the Most Great. Glorified is God above that which they ascribe unto Him, and praise be to God, the Lord of all worlds.