the religion, as well as partisan bigotry, factional groupings and slogans, and the newly contrived paths and methodologies in the faith that have been borrowed from the enemies of Islam and the Muslims. He also treats other important questions that address many of the maladies afflicting certain contemporary Muslim societies. Shaykh al-Islam’s method of presenting these issues is a model of the Salaf’s approach to exposition, proof, discussion, and refutation.

In short, Iqtidāʾ al-Ṣirāt al-Mustaqīm is truly one of the finest works produced by the early scholars on this subject.

For that reason the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Daʿwah, and Guidance has been eager to print, publish, and distribute it, contributing thereby to the resolution of today’s Muslim problems. This springs from the mission Allah has laid upon the Ministry and which the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd b. ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Saʿūd, has entrusted to it. Praise be to Allah, the government continues to strive to disseminate knowledge, call to the Sunnah, improve the condition of the Muslim Ummah, and solve its difficulties in the light of sound creed and the upright path of the Salaf, freeing it from innovations and newly introduced practices, and uniting its word upon truth and guidance.

We ask Allah to preserve the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy, and to reward them generously for their efforts to unite the Muslims upon the truth, guide them to Allah’s Straight Path, give victory to His religion through them, raise His word high, honor the Sunnah and its adherents by means of them, and suppress innovation and its partisans.

I likewise extend my thanks to my esteemed brother, Professor Dr. Nāṣir b. ʿAbd al-Karīm al-ʿAql, the editor of this book, for the effort he has expended in its service and for his diligence in