the full moon on the night it is at its brightest, without obstructing one another’s view, and I believe that our Prophet Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is the Seal of the prophets and messengers. No one’s faith is sound until he believes in his mission and attests to his prophethood. The best of his community is Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, then ʿUmar al-Faruq, then ʿUthman the Possessor of the Two Lights, then ʿAli al-Murtada, then the remainder of the Ten [promised Paradise], then the People of Badr, then the People of the Tree, the people of the Pledge of Ridwan, and after them all the other Companions—may Allah be pleased with them.

I ally myself with the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, recount their virtues, seek Allah’s pleasure for them, ask forgiveness for them, refrain from speaking of their faults, and keep silent about the disagreements that arose among them. I hold fast to their superiority in accordance with His words: “And those who come after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and place not in our hearts any rancor toward those who believe. Our Lord, You are indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful.’” 1

I likewise seek Allah’s pleasure for the Mothers of the Believers, purified of every blemish, and I acknowledge the miracles granted to the awliyaʾ (saints) and the unveilings they experience—while affirming that they deserve none of the rights that belong exclusively to Allah Most High, and that nothing may be asked of them that only Allah can grant.

I do not testify that any particular Muslim is in Paradise or in Hell—except for those about whom the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, has testified—but I remain hopeful for the doer of good and fearful for the evildoer. I do not declare any Muslim an unbeliever on account of a sin,2 nor do I expel him from the fold of Islam.

I hold that jihad continues under every leader, whether righteous or sinful, and that performing the congregational prayer behind them is permissible. Jihad will remain in force from the time Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was sent until the last part of this community fights the Antichrist; it is not nullified by the tyranny of a tyrant nor by the justice of a just ruler. I deem it obligatory to hear and obey the leaders of the Muslims—pious or wicked—so long as they do not command disobedience to Allah. Whoever assumes the caliphate, the people unite around him, accept him, and he prevails over them by his sword until he becomes caliph, obedience to him then becomes obligatory