is his leaving alone that which does not concern him. The flesh of the scholars is poisoned. Whatever has been transmitted merely to point out a scholar’s mistake, the frequency of his slips, or the limits of his memory does not fall under this censure; it is instead meant to clarify the difference between a sound hadith and a fair one, and between a fair hadith and a weak one.

Our Imam—praise be to Allah—is firmly established in hadith, a custodian of what he has learned, virtually free of error, famed for precision, and possessed of robust piety. Whoever assails him out of ignorance and prejudice, especially when known to be a rival, wrongs only himself. The scholars detest such behaviour; every hadith master can see the bias, and the critic ends up dragging people along by the foot. Those who have praised him, acknowledged his leadership, and attested to his mastery—men who are themselves the recognized authorities, past and present—have spoken rightly, handsomely, and with guidance and success.

As for our leaders and governors today, when they suppress the biased disparagement that has appeared, it may be said that they have acted well and been granted success; obedience to them in that is obligatory, for they aim thereby to cut off the roots of falsehood and evil.

In any case, the ignorant and the misguided have already spoken against the very best of the Companions and even against rigorously authentic hadith. “No one is more patient with the abuse he hears than Allah: they ascribe a son to Him, yet He provides for them and grants them well-being.” (1)

I once came across some of the Maghribīs’ remarks about the Imam—may Allah ennoble him—and the only benefit I gained was a diminished opinion of anyone who dared attack the Imam. Praise belongs to Allah.