Whenever I heard them say this, I would smile and increase my praise and thanks to Allah, for He granted me insight, introduced me [to the truth], and favored me with the quality of a pure intellect. I would say to them: 'O people! If the matter were as you say, our Sheikh al-Khasibi would have clarified it when al-Jilli questioned him regarding the four: al-Awni, al-Azqari, al-Hallaj, and al-Alawi al-Basri.' For he said: 'The three are blameworthy, and al-Alawi al-Basri is praised.' This was mentioned previously, and the Sheikh—may Allah be pleased with him—said in his response:"

al-Azqari is blameworthy and al-Hallaj is blameworthy. As for the 'Awniyya, they are three: Abu Muhammad Talha ibn Ubayd Allah al-Awni—and he is praised—while the other two are blameworthy."

[The author responds:] "On the contrary! Our Sheikh [al-Khasibi], may Allah sanctify him, was definitive in condemning him [al-Awni] and never told his 'son' (disciple) that they were three. Are you more knowledgeable than al-Khasibi, or more insightful through the Light of Allah than him? Al-Khasibi—may Allah sanctify his soul—used to look with the Light of Allah; he recognized the believer from the disbeliever, and he recognized the believer who was veiled from Gnosis, thus he would not condemn such a one [unfairly].