(140) From Dawud ibn Kathir al-Raqqi, peace be upon him, from our Master the Knower, Mighty is His Might, that he said: "God does not accept from hearts except that which is pure, firm, and tender. As for its purity: it is due to the proximity of its gnosis. As for its firmness: it is to be strong enough to carry our secret. As for its tenderness: it is to be soft toward the brothers." Then he said: "Let none of you elevate himself over his brother, even if he is greater than him, for God may raise the brother over him even if he is younger; {likewise were you before, then God conferred His favor upon you}."

(141) Al-Ala ibn Khalil narrated from Shayban, from Abu Asim al-Abadani, from al-Mufaddal ibn Isa al-Raqqashi, from Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir, from Jabir ibn Abd Allah al-Ansari, peace be upon him, who said: The Messenger of God, Mighty is His Might, said: "God, Blessed and Exalted be He, says: 'I am as My believing servant thinks of Me, so let him think well of Me. I am with him wherever he remembers Me; if he remembers Me within himself, I remember him within Myself; and if he remembers Me in an assembly of My creation, I remember him in an assembly better than them. If he draws near to Me by a span, I draw near to him by a cubit; if he draws near to Me by a cubit, I draw near to him by the length of two outstretched arms; and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.'"

(142) It was narrated by my brother Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi, by his chain of transmission from his men, from our Master Amir Almuminin, Mighty is His Might, that he said: "Three types of people seek this Matter:

The first type: seeks it for ostentation and disputation. He is a person of deception and flattery who has cloaked himself in humility while abandoning true piety. God shall cut off the nose of such a person and crush his chest.