Wisdom from 13th Century Islam

This is from the first complete work attributed to Ibn ‘Arabi to appear in a western language, although many scholars now attribute it to Balyani, a near contemporary, who may well have been influenced by his thought.

No one sees Him except Himself, no one reaches Him except Himself. He knows Himself through Himself and He sees Himself by means of Himself. No one but He sees Himself. No one but He sees Him. His veil is his oneness since nothing veils Him other than Him. His own veil veils Him.

…

Because of this, the Prophet, God bless him and give him peace, said, Whoever knows their self, knows their Lord. He also said, I knew my Lord through my Lord. What the Prophet pointed out by that, is that you are not you but you are Him and there is no you. It is not that He enters into you or that you enter into Him, or that He comes out of you or that you come out of Him. That does not mean that you have being and you are qualified by this or that attribute. What is meant is that you were and never will be, whether through yourself or through Him or in Him or with Him. You have neither ceased to be nor are you existent. You are Him and He is you, without any of these imperfections. If you know your existence in this way, then you know God, and if not, then not.

Know Yourself: an explanation of the oneness of being, Ibn ‘Arabi/Balyani (13th c), translated by Cecilia Twinch (Beshara Publications, 2011), p. 19; pp. 20-21

Thanks to Chris & Kathleen!