The second type: seeks it for arrogance and superiority, to exert authority over those beneath him and to behave humbly before the wealthy. He devours their sweets while destroying his own religion. God shall blind the sight of such a person and erase his trace and mention from among the scholars.

The third type: seeks it for knowledge and understanding. He is bowed in his hooded cloak, standing in the darkness of the night, fearful and trembling. He has found solitude even from his most trusted brothers. God shall strengthen the pillars of such a person and grant him His security on the Day of Resurrection."

(143) It was narrated by the Lord Abu Abd Allah al-Husayn ibn Hamdan al-Khusaybi—may God ennoble his station—by his chain of transmission from the Knower, Mighty is His Might, that he was asked about the people of true affirmation among the believers: by what state are they known? He said to them: "If you wish to know that, look for the one who judges himself by the Truth, treats the believers as his equals, does not prefer himself over them in religion or worldly matters, and would ransom them with his own life—even unto his own destruction—if he knew that in doing so lay their life. He is the one you ask about, and how few they are."

(144) From him, by his chain of transmission—may God raise his degree—narrating from al-Mufaddal, peace be upon him, who said: I heard my Master al-Sadiq, Mighty is His Might, saying to Abu al-Khattab Muhammad ibn Abi Zaynab, peace be upon him: "O Muhammad, beware of the 'intruders' into the gnosis of God; for they enter as fifteen-year-olds and leave as thirty-year-olds, and they enter as thirty-year-olds and leave as sixty-year-olds." We ask God for steadfastness, and that He makes it [faith] permanent and not merely a temporary deposit.