by way of argument and compulsion.. and involving the opponent and denying the truth for the sake of showing off.. which is spending all night and day searching for the contradictions of the masters of the schools of thought and checking for the faults of peers.. and these people did not intend knowledge.. but rather they limited themselves to showing off to peers. if they were busy purifying their hearts it would be better for them than knowledge that is of no benefit except in this world.. and its benefit in this world is arrogance.. and that turns into a blazing fire in the hereafter..
بطريق المجادلة والإلزام.. وإقحام الخصم، ودفع الحق لأجل المباهاة.. وهو طول الليل والنهار فى التفتيش فى مناقضات أرباب المذاهب، والتفقد لعيوب الأقران.. وهؤلاء لم يقصدوا العلم.. وإنما قصروا مباهاة الأقران ولو اشتغلوا بتصفية قلوبهم كان خيرا لهم من علم لا ينفع إلا فى الدنيا.. ونفعه فى الدنيا التكبر.. وذلك ينقلب فى الآخرة نارا تلظى..