or anyone else—was, in their estimation, counted among the people of heresy and religious innovation. This, then, is the religion embraced by the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and by the Successors after them. It is the path upheld by the leading scholars of the faith whose good name lives on in the community; it is the creed of the united body of Muslims, both elite and common folk. Whoever departs from it is deemed by the congregation to be condemned and cast off. This is the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaʿah, manifest and evident until the Day of Resurrection—
those about whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“A group from my ummah will never cease to stand openly upon the truth; those who oppose them or abandon them will not harm them, until the Hour is established.”

Although some Muslims have differed among themselves, they all agree upon this fundamental principle—the universal religion of the messengers, and, in particular, the religion of Muhammad. Anyone who contradicts this foundation is, in their eyes, an impious deviant. They are not like the Christians, who invented a religion established by their senior scholars and ascetics, fought for by their kings, and adopted by the majority of their people—an innovated faith that is neither the religion of the Messiah nor that of any other prophet.

Allah—glorified and exalted—is He—sent His messengers with beneficial knowledge and righteous action