They hold that one must endure Allah’s decree with patience, comply with what Allah the Exalted has commanded, and refrain from what He has forbidden(1); that every deed be performed with sincerity; that Muslims be offered sincere counsel; that one devote himself to worshipping Allah the Exalted among the worshippers; that advice be given to the body of Muslims; and that the major sins be avoided—namely fornication, false testimony, partisanship(2), boastfulness, arrogance, belittling(3) people, and self-admiration.

They further insist on shunning anyone who calls to innovation; occupying oneself with the recitation of the Quran, the recording of the transmitted reports, and the study of jurisprudence—together with humility, submissiveness, good character, doing good, withholding harm, avoiding backbiting and tale-bearing, malicious slander, and carefully scrutinising(4) one’s food and drink.

He said(5): This is a summary of what they command, practise, and uphold. We affirm everything we have mentioned of their statement and adopt it. Our success is only through Allah; He is sufficient for us(6). From Him we seek help, upon Him we rely, and to Him is the final return.

He said(7): As for the followers of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿīd, they hold to most of what(8) we have cited from the Ahl al-Sunnah. They affirm that the Creator has always been living, knowing, powerful, hearing, seeing, mighty, magnificent, majestic, great, generous, willing, speaking, and bountiful.

They likewise affirm knowledge, power, life, hearing, sight, greatness, and majesty.