Alawis claim they are Muslims, but conservative Sunnis do not always recognize them as such. Like Ismaili Shias, Alawis believe in a system of divine incarnation. Unlike Ismailis, Alawis regard Ali as the incarnation of the deity in the divine triad. As such, Ali is the \"Meaning;\" Muhammad, whom Ali created of his own light, is the \"Name;\" and Salman the Persian is the \"Gate.\" Alawi catechesis is expressed in the formula: \"I turn to the Gate; I bow before the Name; I adore the Meaning.\" An Alawi prays in a manner patterned after the shahada: \"I testify that there is no God but Ali.\"