But there may be a different sort of man, a Master of Knowledge, needed by others for their religious enlightenment, the exposition of truths, the setting aside of heretical arguments, and for stirring them to live out the teachings of religion. It is hardly lawful for such a man to absolutely avoid human society. It is narrated of a Sage named =Abû Bakar= that, as he wandered about the hills with the object of leading a life of prayer and worship in seclusion, he heard a voice saying, "=Abû Bakar=, why dost thou desert the creatures of the Lord when thou hast attained the position of a Divine Light?" So he returned to the society of men. Such a man, though living corporeally in the world and doing his duties to it, has to work for his own salvation as well. =Omar= (peace on him!) said of himself, "should I sleep at night I would ruin myself, should I sleep during the day, I would ruin my subjects." It is exceedingly hard to be corporeally in the world and to be at the same time mentally away from it. =Imâm Gazâlî= opines that a learned man may be excused for isolating himself and burying his knowledge in days of trouble and degeneration, when a man may send for a religious teacher, but declines to learn anything of him--when no man appreciates the importance of religious duties.... An extremely weak man should not resort to seclusion.... The real object of seclusion is mental isolation, not bodily separation.--_Letter 95._ DEATH. There are three classes of men: (1) The man of desires. (2) The beginner who is just turning back. (3) The advanced Knower of God. The _first_ does not recollect death; or if he ever does so, he does it in a spirit of sorrow for the loss of worldly objects, and begins to murmur at it. Recollection of death throws him the further from God. The _second_ is given to the practice of recollecting death, so that he may live fear-stricken, and accomplish his Turning the more successfully.... The _third_ never forgets death, as it is the guarantee of his union with the Beloved. But the highest stage of development is shewn in the soul that completely surrenders itself to the Lord, and foregoes all choice of life or death.... The frequent recollection of death is recommended, as it is calculated to disturb physical enjoyment, and thereby lead to salvation.... Death is welcome to the faithful, as it sets him free from the prison of earth-life and its tortures.... As remarked by an esteemed friend, earth-life is a state of slumber, the after-death life is a state of waking, and death is an intermediate state.... Death (to an ordinary mortal) is more painful than a cut with the sword or the axe, or the extraction of flesh from his body.... A calm look, and the repetition of the Holy Formula, these are becoming on the part of the dying man.--_Letter 97._ HELL.