nor even bent it; rather, they have driven their assault on the religion to the point of demolishing it altogether and erasing every trace of it! There is no act of devotion more pleasing (1) to Allah Most High than to wage jihad against such people—by whatever means are possible—and to expose their doctrines to both elite and common folk. The same duty applies to combating anyone who deviates (2) in the religion of Allah and strays beyond His bounds and His law, no matter what turmoil or controversy may result, as the poet said:
“So long as the Beloved is pleased, I care not—
whether the clan remains or strikes the camp to depart.” (3)

In Allah alone do we seek help.

You, too—praise be to Allah—are engaged in striving against the princes and their troops, rectifying as best you can the injustices, excesses, and misconduct that have arisen from their ignorance of Allah’s religion. For a long ⦗109⦘ time now separates us from the religion (4) of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace; nearly seven hundred years have elapsed. By Allah’s grace you are reviving what has fallen into oblivion, and indeed Allah, if He wills, will restore through you and your shaykh whatever has faded and been effaced. (5)

Likewise—praise be to Allah—you take your stand against the populace for the innovations they have introduced: the exaltation of al-mīlāda (the Nativity) (6), the qalandas, White Thursday (7), Palm Sunday, and the kissing