Chapter One: Concerning the Knowledge of what Allah has Ordained of Knowledge.

[1] We have narrated from Al-Rabi', from our master Abi Shu'aib, peace be upon him, who said:

I said to my Master: "What is the greatest thing God has made obligatory?"

He, may His might be glorified, said: "The knowledge of God, submission to His Messenger, obedience to His guardian [Wali], and disassociation from His enemy. And knowledge is the origin of all that."

[2] From Abu Abd Allah Al-Sarraj, from Abu Abd Allah Al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, who said:

"God desires nothing from His creation other than His knowledge, and the connection between them and Him is the comforting support of their brothers."

[3] And from Abd Allah ibn Idris, from Zayd ibn Talha, from Yunus ibn Dhabyan, peace be upon him, from Al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, who said: