need and they understand the
requirements of modern times, and certainly devote all their energies
toward encouraging the advancement of learning and civilization. "Are they
equal, those who know, and those who do not know?... Or is the darkness
equal with the light?"(21)

The spiritually learned are lamps of guidance among the nations, and stars
of good fortune shining from the horizons of humankind. They are fountains
of life for such as lie in the death of ignorance and unawareness, and
clear springs of perfections for those who thirst and wander in the
wasteland of their defects and errors. They are the dawning places of the
emblems of Divine Unity and initiates in the mysteries of the glorious
Qur'an. They are skilled physicians for the ailing body of the world, they
are the sure antidote to the poison that has corrupted human society. It
is they who are the strong citadel guarding humanity, and the impregnable
sanctuary for the sorely distressed, the anxious and tormented, victims of
ignorance. "Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of
whomsoever He willeth."

For every thing, however, God has created a sign and symbol, and
established standards and tests by which it may be known. The spiritually
learned must be characterized by both inward and outward perfections; they
must possess a good character, an enlightened nature, a pure intent, as
well as intellectual power, brilliance and discernment, intuition,
discretion and foresight, temperance, reverence, and a heartfelt fear of
God. For an unlit candle, however great in diameter and tall, is no better
than a barren palm tree or a pile of dead wood.

The flower-faced may sulk or play the flirt,
The cruel fair may bridle and coquet;
But coyness in the ugly is ill-met,
And pain in a blind eye's a double hurt."(22)

An authoritative Tradition states: "As for him who is one of the
learned:(23) he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions
and obey the commandments of his Lord. It is then the duty of the people
to pattern themselves after him." Since these illustrious and holy words
embody all the conditions of learning, a brief commentary on their meaning
is appropriate. Whoever is lacking in these divine qualifications and does
not demonstrate these inescapable requirements in his own life, should not
be referred to as learned and is not worthy to serve as a model for the
believers.

The first of these requirements is to guard one'