Time passed, and all the Islamic philosophers who came after them were influenced by it and built upon it. Some of them, such as Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi, al-Razi, and al-Ma'arri, are considered among their greatest followers, influenced by their knowledge and disseminators of their theories. Al-Subki narrated this in his book "Tabaqat al-Shafi'i". The proof that it explains the teachings of the Shi'a, and especially the Qarmatians, is found in many statements scattered throughout its pages. Among these are statements found in the chapters of the "Epistles of the Brethren of Purity," such as the chapter titled "A Chapter on the Fact That Whoever Responds to the Prophets, Messengers, Guiding Imams, and Rightly Guided Caliphs, Who Are the Pillars of the Nation, and They Have the Ark of Wisdom and with Them the Ark of Tranquility, Which the Angels Carry Who Are Entrusted with Its Protection Until Its Deserving Heir Inherits It, Has Left Behind the Predecessors. So Whoever Knows Them and Follows Their Path Has Truly Worshipped and Been Saved from the Devils," etc. In another chapter, they say: "A Chapter on Knowing Spiritual Guardianship, by Which One Reaches the Abode of Permanence," and another chapter on "Knowing Fathers and Mothers in Spiritual Birth." In all these chapters and similar ones, the teachings of the Shi'a call and the teachings of the Ummah are sown. They sometimes use symbolism, saying, for example, "This is a chapter about which we have not spoken explicitly, nor have we freely discussed it, nor have we clearly indicated it, but..."