Our master, Imam Ali (AS) pointed out certain factors about "The Three Classes of People" to Kumayl ibn Ziyad Nakhaie. This is what Kumayl said about the event: "One night I was at home wondering deeply about my relationship with Imam Ali (AS)".
Are his feelings for me as intense as my love for him? Have I been able to fulfil his right as he deserves by bestowing upon him care and love? Do my actions have his holy approval? If one day Ali (AS) and I and nobody else are there will our relationship remain the same compared to when I do not see his magnificence in person for months or years? Is what I have, enough for Ali (AS) or do I have mere assertions? Does this path through which I approach him, merit God's reward or is it just self-interest I am following? Is it possible that the essence of Imam Ali (AS) and I, Imam Ali's magnificence and I be as it is presently or will a day come when if a problem arises I am not that which I claim to be and does my love for my master last only as long as there is no obstacle along this path? If one day there is a barrier can I fight against it or not?
Kumayl continued, "I was deeply disturbed from within and his love had made me so restless that I was willing to give my very life in order to see him".
In this state someone knocked on the door. I went behind the door in the same disturbed condition and …
Upon opening the door, I found myself face to face with my master. …
I was astonished as to why Ali (AS) had come to see me at this time of the night. Before I could utter a word his holiness stated, "Kumayl, I am deeply saddened. I did not find anyone with whom I could speak; hence, I came to you. Let us take a walk together in the desert."
I asked respectfully to be allowed to change my clothes.
He stated, "Oh Kumayl, clothes for us are not the basis. The heart is the main thing. Customs and traditions are for strangers; hearts are for the beloved. I want us to leave the house and go outside together."
Kumayl said, "We left for the desert together—my beloved and I. The air was calm. It was past mid-night. All that existed was asleep in the arms of tranquility, but my heart was beating like that of an enamoured lover in the fear that his presence would change into absence.
He uttered some sentences in this state.
Oh Kumayl, the people of the world are of three types:
1-      A group of them are the learned, researchers, scientists, mystics, and gnostics through whose presence light is spread. By their speech the sleeping are awakened and by their voices, the dead astonished and they are cherished and loved and their presence signifies both favour and bounty.
2-      The other group are learners and those who wish to go towards perfection. They strive and are enthusiastic are full of eagerness. They too are cherished.
3-      Apart from these two, there are the ignorant. They are a group who have a good appearance but nothing within. They have good words but no emotion and heart. Their words are meaningless. They are present but are absent in reality since their hearts are different from their tongues and their interior differs from their appearance. They are trouble-makers, hypocrites, and liars. These are the ones who pollute the water of the blessing of love. They are like contaminated leaves, plants, or dirt which are swayed from one side to the other by water. Overall, these people cannot make decisions on their own. They are not stable and do not keep up to their promises. According to Imam Ali (AS) these are the rejected and are not favoured by us.
Thereafter, Imam Ali (AS) drew a line around Kumayl and said, "Kumayl, you stay here. Don't transgress beyond this line. Whenever I return, we will go back to your home together".
Imam Ali (AS) left Kumayl. Some time passed. The air was so gloomy that no face saw the other.
Source: Part of teachings of esteemed philosopher, Dr. Seyyed Ali Mousavi