Mütâla'a is when Allah, as a beginning, bestows His mercy upon the ʿārif (gnostic, one who has maʿrifa) and affirms them, and responds to their requests concerning matters related to events in the cosmos... (Istilāh, 536; Kāshānī, 86; Jāmiʿ, 98)
Mütâla'a is the name given to being honored with mushāhada (direct witnessing) at the moment of its emergence and initial appearance. (Kāshānī, 86; Jāmiʿ, 98)
Mukāshafa (unveiling) sometimes means mütâla'a, sometimes mushāhada, and sometimes being made aware of the secrets of the servants. In reality, it is firāsa (spiritual insight). (Qawānīn, 94)
(See also: muḥāḍara–mukāshafa–mushāhada)