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Just as the path of knowledge produces knowledge through sound examination of evidence and means—as in reflecting upon the Quran and hadith—so the path of action produces action through soundness of will and means. Hence, they call someone who follows this path an “aspirant,” just as those following the former path call him a “seeker.” “Examination” is a general category encompassing what is true and false, praiseworthy and blameworthy; the same applies to “will.”

The path of knowledge necessarily requires the knowledge conveyed by the Prophets through revelation: what you know must be the religious truths conveyed by the Prophets, and your knowledge of them must accord with what the Messengers have reported. Otherwise, no knowledge you acquire, nor any belief you hold concerning what the Messengers have reported, will benefit you. Rather, you must believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day.

Likewise, with regard to “will,” one must identify “the One sought,” who is Allah, and “the path to Him,” which is what the Messengers commanded. You must therefore worship Allah, and your worship of Him must follow what He prescribed through His Messengers. For in matters of knowledge, one must believe the Messenger in what he reported, and in matters of action, one must obey him in what he commanded.