This master is the true master in purchasing this servant, and this servant is the one who is barred from hearing knowledge except from his master, to whom he has bound himself and who owns the absolute essence of his soul by his permission and command.

Thus, it is firmly established for us, through what we have mentioned, that there is a servant in the exoteric sense and a servant in the esoteric sense.

The master of the exoteric governs physical structures and bodies, whereas the master of the esoteric governs souls and religions.

As for wealth (al-mal), in the exoteric sense it consists of gold and silver, but in the esoteric sense it is divine knowledge.

[83] As our Master the Commander of the Faithful, majestic is his glory, stated: "Wealth is diminished by expenditure, while knowledge increases upon spending."

This demonstrates that the wealth which is never diminished is knowledge.