The First: The people of misguidance accuse religious scholars of securing advantage  through  their  learning.  They  attack  them  unfairly,  saying:  “They  are exploiting knowledge and religion to make a living for themselves.” This has to be shown to be false in practice.

The Second: We are charged with following the prophets in disseminating the truth. In the All-Wise Qur’an those who do this say:

My reward is only due from God * My reward is only due from God,(10:72, etc.)

and they display independence. Most meaningful in regard to this matter is the verse in Sura Ya. Sin.:

Follow those who ask no reward of you, and who have themselves received guidance.(36:21)

The Third: As is explained in the First Word, one should give in God’s name and take in God’s name. Whereas mostly either the one giving is heedless and gives in his own name and implicitly puts the recipient under an obligation, or the recipient is heedless; he gives the thanks and praise due to the True Provider to apparent causes and is in error.

The Fourth: Reliance on God, contentment, and frugality are such a treasury and wealth they can be exchanged for nothing. I do not want to take things from people and shut up that inexhaustible treasury. I offer endless thanks to the All-Glorious Provider that since my childhood He has not compelled me to remain under obligation and so suffer abasement. Relying on His munificence, I beseech His mercy that I may remain faithful to this rule for the rest of my life.

The Fifth: In consequence of many signs and experiences over the past year or two I have formed  the firm conviction that I am not permitted  to accept people’s goods and particularly the gifts of the rich and of officials. Some make me ill. Indeed, they are made to be like that; they are made so that I cannot eat them. Sometimes they are turned into a form that upsets me. This must be a sort of command not to accept the goods of others, prohibiting me from accepting them. Moreover, I have a need for solitude, I cannot receive everyone all the time. Accepting people’s gifts necessitates considering their feelings and accepting them at times I do not want to. And I do not find that agreeable. I find it more agreeable to eat a small piece of dry bread and wear clothes patched in a hundred places, and be saved from fawning and artificialit y. It is disagreeable for me to eat the best quality baklava and wear the finest clothes at the hands of others and be obliged to consider their feelings.

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