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Perhaps they have abandoned the secluded chambers of the elderly original: "makhadi' al-'ajayiz"; a metaphor for simple, uncritical faith often associated with those who do not question their beliefs once they have emerged from the treasures of kings. For people were created in diverse groups and varying ranks, much like the mines of gold, silver, and other gemstones. Observe their differences and the vast distances between them in form, color, properties, and value. In the same way, hearts are the mines for the jewels of knowledge. Some are the source of prophecy, sainthood original: "al-wilayah", science, and the understanding of divine actions; others are the source of beastly desires and satanic traits. Indeed, you see people following the distribution of crafts and industries; one person may be capable, through the lightness of his hand and the skill of his craft, of things that another cannot even begin to grasp, let alone master, even if he spent his entire life learning.

The same applies to the knowledge of God Almighty. Rather, people are divided like generations: one group is incapable of even looking at the clashing waves of the sea while standing on its shore; another can bear the sight but cannot lift a foot from the ground to swim; another can swim near the coast but cannot brave the depths of the sea or the terrifying places of drowning; and finally, there is the one who can brave those depths but cannot dive to the very bottom of the ocean to reach its resting place, where its treasures and jewels lie. These are the parables of knowledge and the varying degrees of people within it, following one another exactly, like the feathers on an arrow original: "hadhwa al-qudhdha bi-l-qudhdha"; a classical idiom meaning 'perfectly matched' or 'point for point' without difference.

If it is asked: "Do the gnostics original: "al-arifun"; those who possess deep, experiential knowledge of God encompass all knowledge of God Almighty so that nothing is hidden from them?" We say: Far from it! We have already explained with definitive proof in the book The Noblest Aim in the Meanings of God’s Most Beautiful Names original: "Al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Ma'ani Asma' Allah al-Husna" that no one knows God with the true essence of His knowledge except God Himself. Although creatures may possess vast knowledge and abundant science, when that is compared to the knowledge of God—Glory be to Him—they have been given but little knowledge. However, it should be known that the Divine Presence original: "al-Hadrah al-Ilahiyyah" encompasses everything in existence, since...

...there is nothing in existence except God and His actions. All things belong to the Divine Presence, as if all the leaders of the army and the royal retinue were smaller than the totality of this Sultanic Presence. You cannot understand the Divine Presence except through the metaphor original: "al-tamthil" of a Sultanic Court. Know that everything in existence is within the Divine Presence. But just as a Sultan has a private palace in his kingdom, and in the courtyard of his palace is a wide field, and that field has a threshold where all the subjects gather—they are not permitted to cross that threshold nor even reach the edge of the field—so it is here. Only the elite of the kingdom may cross the threshold, enter the field, and sit within it, varying in their closeness or distance according to their rank. Perhaps no one is allowed into the private palace except the Vizier original: "al-Wazir"; the high-ranking minister alone. Then the King reveals to the Vizier as much of the secrets of his kingdom as he wishes, while keeping other matters solely for himself.

Understand, through this metaphor, the varying degrees of creation in their closeness to the Divine Presence. The threshold at the edge of the field is the station for all the common folk original: "al-awamm"; it is their limit, and they have no way to cross it. If one of them tried to cross, they would be prevented from their objective? with reprimand and exemplary punishment. As for the gnostics, they have crossed the threshold and entered the field. They range across different boundaries of proximity and distance, and the difference between them is great, even though they share in having crossed the threshold and advanced beyond the commoners who are confined at the gate.

As for the Enclosure of Holiness original: "Hazirat al-Quds" at the front of the field, it is too majestic for the feet of the gnostics to tread upon, and too exalted for the eyes of onlookers to reach. Indeed, no one, small or great, catches a glimpse of that sublime presence without their radiance being dimmed and their sight failing; their vision returns to them humbled and weary. This is what the common person must believe in general, even if they do not encompass it in detail. These are the seven duties required of the common people regarding the knowledge of the reports original: "al-akhbar"; referring to the prophetic traditions or Hadith which you asked about. This is the reality of the Way of the Salaf original: "Madhab al-Salaf"; the path of the early righteous predecessors. Now, let us begin establishing the proof that the Truth is indeed the Way of the Salaf.