Tafsir (Exegisis) of Quran by the Bab!

The Báb explains the phrase “By the afternoon” (Va’l-‘asr) by analyzing the meaning of the letter Váv (here meaning “By”) as well as “afternoon” (‘asr) and their mutual connection. Váv is the second letter of the name of God, Huva (He), consisting of the letters Há’ and Váv. Váv (6) is the immediate (succeeding) manifestation of Há’ (5), and they appear successively in the name that refers to the unseen Essence of God. In this way Váv is a reflection of “He.”However,“He” itself, which is equal to 11, is manifested in the name of God, ‘Alí (the Most Exalted), because ‘Alí is equal to 110, which is a reflection of 11, and thus of “He.” “Afternoon,” according to the Báb, refers to the station of Imám ‘Alí because the station of the Prophet Muhammad is that of the sun at its zenith, and the immediate manifestation or successor of the noon is the afternoon; moreover, it was ‘Alí who led the afternoon prayer on behalf of the Prophet.

-Gate of the heart. Nader Saiedi