an ignorant man professes love for his Lord, His Messenger, and the righteous among the people of faith. From this have sprung such slogans as:

“The beloved must be endorsed, even if he is nothing but faults!”

“Object and you will be expelled!”

“Beware of criticizing your shaykh—even if you see him committing a major sin—for he enjoys a spiritual state you cannot fathom!”

Yet the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was more entitled to such deference. When ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, objected to the Prophet’s decision to lead the funeral prayer for ʿAbd Allah ibn Ubayy ibn Salūl, the arch-hypocrite, the Prophet did not forbid him to speak. Instead, he answered him, explaining his viewpoint with the calm composure of a gentle, wise teacher.

Such is the theme of this book, which Imām Ibn Taymiyyah tackles with both rational argument and juristic insight, exposing the error of the extremist Shīʿah who diverge from the way of Imām ʿAlī, may Allah be pleased with him, and the error of the ignorant lovers who break with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.