esnāf-i ṭālibīn (Glossary of Sufism)

In my view, the esnāf-i ṭālibīn (those who seek the Truth) are of four kinds: The mutakallimūn (scholastic theologians) claim to be people of opinion and rational speculation. The Bāṭinīs (esotericists) believe themselves to be people of taʿlīm (authoritative instruction), and suppose that learning ḥaqīqa (inner realities) from the Maʿṣūm Imām (the Infallible Imam) is a privilege unique to themselves. The philosophers think themselves to be people of logic and demonstration. The Sufis claim to be in the Divine Presence, and to be people of mushāhada (direct witnessing) and kashf (unveiling). I said to myself: Those who seek the Truth cannot be outside these four groups. These are the ones who have entered upon the path of seeking the Truth. (al-Munqidh, 89)