What is the meaning of "the knowing, theوصلين (the reached/connected)" in the the Imam's sermon on Friday: "Praise be to Allah, the praise of the grateful, the knowing, the واصلين (the reached/connected)"?

The terms "al-'Arifin" (the Gnostics/Knowers) and "al-Wasileen" (those who have arrived/attained) have not been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and they appeared in fabricated hadiths. These two terms have been widely used by later generations, especially the Sufis, and are often applied to those who know Allah and attain closeness to Him through obedience. The intended meaning varies according to the speaker; sometimes, the proponents of Wahdat al-Wujud (unity of existence) use them to refer to their misguided belief, or a person with sound belief might use them intending a correct meaning, such as Ibn al-Qayyim's definition of al-'Arifin as "those who know Allah, His wisdom in His command, His law, and His creation, and are people of insight in His worship and His purpose therein."