So take heed, O people of insight!

Fourth: On p. 41 he further accuses me of declaring the Pious Predecessors ignorant. In truth, this is the gravest of his fabrications against me. The earlier ones concern my scholarship, and there it is conceivable that I might err in some particulars and he might conceivably be correct in what he ascribes to me—though I have shown his claims to be false. This slander, however, strikes at my very creed, my religion, and my understanding of it in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf. Praise be to Allah, I am well known to all as a Salafi who calls—by tongue and by pen—to following the righteous forebears. Witness my own words in this book, “Ṣalāt al-Tarāwīḥ”:

“Had an increase beyond eleven rakʿahs been authentically established from any of the Rightly Guided Caliphs or any other jurist among the Companions, we would have been obliged to regard it as permissible, knowing their virtue, their understanding, and their distance from innovating in the religion … .”

When, however, no such increase has been proven—so far as I can ascertain—and I simply adhere to what is authentically reported from my Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), is my reward to be accused of declaring the Salaf ignorant? By Allah, this is a monstrous calumny, and Allah, exalted is He, is the One whose help is sought.

Benefit: After citing the sound reports on the number of rakʿahs the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed at night—ranging from nine to thirteen—Imam Ibn Khuzaymah said in his Ṣaḥīḥ 2 / 194:

“This variation falls under the category of what is permissible; therefore a person may pray whatever number he wishes among those the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have prayed, and in the manner in which he is reported to have prayed them. No one is prohibited from any of them.”

His statement, “among those the Prophet is reported to have prayed,” plainly shows that he does not permit an increase for which no report exists.