The meaning of terms mentioned in the Book and the Tradition about Monotheism

I said to Abu Abdillah, al-Sadiq, peace be upon him: «Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the earth» (24:35). He said: That is Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He. He said: I said: «the example of His Light» (24:35). He said: Muhammed, may Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «like a lantern» (24:35). He said: The chest of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family. I said: «in which there is a lamp» (24:35). He said: In it is the Light of Knowledge, that is Prophethood. I said: «the lamp is within a glass» (24:35). He said: The knowledge of Allah’s Messenger, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, was issued to the heart of Ali, peace be upon him. I said: «as if it is» [2]. He said: For what thing are you reciting: «as if it is”?!» [3] I said: And how do I read it, may I be sacrificed for you? He said: «As if it [4] is a glimmering planet» (24:35). I said: «That is lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east, nor of the west» (24:35). He said: That is the Commander of the Believers, Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon him, neither a Jew nor a Christian. I said: «Its oil is about to glow, although it has not been touched by fire» (24:35). He said: It is as if knowledge is about to exit the mouth of the Knowledgeable from the Family of Muhammed, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, before he utters it. I said: «Light upon Light» (24:35). He said: The Imam right after the Imam.

The Commander of the Believers, peace be upon him, said in his speech: I am the Guide, I am the Guided, and I am the father of the orphans and the needy and the husband of the widows, and I am the refuge of every weak and the secure place of every fearful, and I am the leader of the believers into Paradise, and I am the Solid Rope of Allah, and I am the Strong Loop of Allah and the Godfearing Word of Allah, and I am the Eye of Allah and His Truthful Tongue and His Hand, and I am the Regard of Allah, about which He says: «For a soul to say: How heartbroken am I for how undutiful I was towards the Regard of Allah» (39:56). And I am the Hand of Allah that is extended towards His servants with mercy and forgiveness, and I am the Door of Humility. The one who knows me and knows my right, then he has known his Lord, because I am the Successor of His Prophet in His earth and His Proof upon His creation; none deny this except for one who rejects Allah and His Messenger.