—is a piece of sheer folly for which no allegation of justified criticism or the like can serve as an excuse; no alert mind would stoop to it, and no God-fearing person would ever be afflicted with its like. We ask Allah for safety through righteous deeds, that He pardon the slips of our tongues and pens, and that He keep us from treading these paths which are, in truth, among the gravest of perils.

8 – Here we must draw attention to a matter of immense and very serious concern: some ignorant people have begun attacking the leading imams of our religion. They disparage the early authorities of Islam, assault their creed, declare them misguided, and brand them innovators, setting themselves up as judges over those towering mountains among the imams of Islam—about whom it has been said: they have already crossed the bridge.

And who are you, O self-important ignoramus, when compared to them? Have mercy on yourself; recognise the reverence due to the imams and scholars of Islam. May Allah have mercy on the one who knows his own rank and therefore stays within its limits.