(93) And from al-Adawi, from Yunus ibn Zabyan, peace be upon him, from the Knower, Mighty is His Might, that he said: "God has hidden this matter until it was thought that He preferred not to be worshipped."

(94) It was narrated by the Sheikh Abu Said Maymun ibn al-Qasim al-Tabarani, may God sanctify him, by his chain of transmission to Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn al-Mufaddal, from his father, from his grandfather, peace be upon them both, that he said one day to his companions: "Whoever asks you for knowledge, give it to him according to his capacity if he is worthy of it; but if he is an antagonist, then cut off his hand and his foot from opposite sides," just as the Mighty and Majestic said: {As for the male and female thief, cut off their hands as a recompense for what they earned, and as an exemplary punishment from God; and God is Mighty and Wise}.

These are the two who seek the knowledge of God through illicit means, without spiritual fatherhood, and who oppose the scholars in that, taking the sciences without gratitude. So cut off their hands—meaning, cut off knowledge and gnosis from them because of the antagonism they harbor.

And regarding His saying, Mighty and Majestic: {The recompense of those who wage war against God and His Messenger and strive to spread corruption in the land is that they be killed, or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off from opposite sides, or be exiled from the land}. Those who wage war against God and His Messenger are: the Muqazmina and the Mufawwida, who harm and oppose the believers and God, the Amir of the Bees (Amir al-Nahl), and His Messenger: Muhammad. The "land" in which they strive here refers to the Gates (al-Abwab) and the ranks, such as the Orphans, the Chiefs (al-Nuqaba), the Nobles (al-Nujaba), the Selected, the Sincere, the Tested, and the seeking Believers, each according to his rank. {That they be killed} means they are to be deemed disbelievers; {or crucified} means they are to be cast out from faith.