(58) Our master the Messiah, may His might be glorified, said: "Do not withhold wisdom from its people, for you would wrong them; and do not give it to those who are not its people, for you would wrong it."

Therefore, I have ventured to answer you, knowing that the most fortunate of matters and the most hopeful of aspirations for attaining joy lie in my obedience to you. Disobedience is not a path for one like you, nor does weariness follow the acceptance of your word. Thus, I have proceeded to share this with you as an obligation due to the nobility of your status. I have deposited in this epistle of mine—named "The Path of Knowledge and Clarification and the Delight of Hearing and Sight"—the means by which I reached the knowledge of Allah, may His mention be exalted, at the hands of my sheikh and mentor, may Allah be pleased with him.

I have included what he told me orally and what I transcribed from him by hearing during the days of his contemporary life, as well as the gifts he gave me of what he had memorized and authored before my meeting and witnessing him. He granted me permission to narrate from him, along with commendable paths of transmission that reached me through the narration of the masterly brothers—may Allah distinguish them with mercy and pleasure. I have explained it all, summarized it, clarified its difficulties, made it accessible, and omitted its chains of transmission to avoid prolixity, so that it may be easy for the viewer and not weary the listener or the reader.