Likewise, all Monotheists forbid in their books any belief whatsoever in the exoteric knowledge, or the performance of any part of it, except for the measure by which we conceal the esoteric from the Opposites (al-Adad), as will be explained in the example set forth regarding the river of Talut [Saul].

And how can it be permissible for us to neglect the gnosis of the established example (al-mathal) concerning Adam’s eating—Adam being the exemplar (al-mamthul) of us—from the Tree, which is the exemplar of exoteric knowledge (al-‘ilm al-zahir) and which remains until now? And [how can we neglect] the "fall" (al-hubut) that occurred, away from all the fruits of Paradise, which are the exemplars of the celestial esoteric gnoses (al-ma‘arif al-batina) that he used to acquire before the fall?

In the Holy Quran, there are many testimonies, including the saying of the Glorified in Surah Al-A'raf: {And "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers." But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you from this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal." And he swore [by Allah] to them, "Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors."