My Master asked: "And how is that, O King?"

The King replied:

"I have heard that a group among the People of Elevation (Ahl al-Irtifa') do not pray. They claim that prayer is a Religious Obligation (Taklif), and that such obligation is lifted (marfu') from the Gnostic Believer (Al-Mu'min al-'Arif)! I found such things reprehensible in them, yet I see you both acting contrary to that. I have also heard regarding these people that they do not give Zakat, claiming that Zakat is not mandatory and that it is dropped from one's wealth.

Furthermore, they claim that Fasting is lifted from them, and that breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan is an obligation and a duty upon them, specifically so that they may oppose the Commonality (Al-'Amma) in their fasting."

"They say [the same] regarding Hajj, Jihad, and all the obligations. Furthermore, it has reached me concerning these people that they permit adultery (Al-Zina), interpreting it as being lawful."

My Master said to him: "If I were to explain to the King—may Allah prolong his life—the chapters we have mentioned regarding those who permit these matters you cited, it would be a lengthy discourse. However, I say that Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, gives this world to both the wise and the ignorant, but He—the Mighty and Majestic—does not grant His Gnosis (Ma'rifa) except to those He loves among His servants. Indeed, an ignorant man shall never benefit