The true monotheist gnostic is the one who combines the two: using the Outward among the [uninitiated] people as a veil to protect himself, and the Inward among its [initiated] people as his true religion.

Among the sayings that indicate the obligation of establishing the Outward is the famous report found in the books of the Monotheists (Al-Muwahhidun) from Mufaddal bin Umar—peace be from him—who said: I said to my Master:

"I see a wealthy believer and a poor believer, and I see a wealthy disbeliever and a poor disbeliever. I wish to know why they deserve this?"

He [the Imam] said:

"O Mufaddal, as for the wealthy believer, he knew our Outward and our Inward, and he acted upon both our Outward and our Inward; so we enriched him in this world and the Hereafter. As for the poor believer, he knew our Outward and our Inward, but he acted upon our Inward and abandoned our Outward; so we made him poor in this world and we enriched him in the Hereafter. As for the Wealthy Disbeliever, he knew our Inward and Outward; he acted upon our Outward but neglected our Inward. Thus, we enriched him in this world and impoverished him in the Hereafter.