O incomparable one—there is no human being I exclude when I say it; I leave out none, I spare none (1).

O master who knows every transmitted report of fiqh; through you, they say, slips and blunders are kept in check.

O suppressor of those bidʿas that the people of this age—Bedouin and townsman alike—have learned to avoid (2).

O guide who redirected the straying faction to the straight path so that they neither wandered in perplexity nor lay awake in doubt.

Were you not the champion who debated Christians and Jews together, until they found themselves cornered in argument?

How many an ignorant, unsuspecting youth did you enlighten with sound speech, so that ignorance and delusion vanished!

They disapproved of you only because they failed to grasp your immense worth—yet Destiny lent them its aid.

They alleged that you erred in a single question—and perhaps you did—but why should that not be forgiven you? (3)

If over a lifetime you slipped or erred once, have you not produced countless correct judgments? Must you then apologize?

Whoever strives as a true mujtahid receives reward in either case and bears no blame.

Were you not, when asked about the Prophet’s hadiths, fully aware of what you chose to cite and what you left aside?

Far be it from you that any doubt or resemblance should linger—neither leaves the faintest trace in your wake (4).

Your task in research is to lay bare its hidden depths: “and what concern is it of yours if the cattle fail to understand?”

You have already presented to Allah whatever deeds you could present; as for them, whether they revile or praise, it matters not to you.

Could guidance ever be concealed from someone like you, when bright stars themselves shine out from your very sky?