the true distinction between them. The same applies to two craftsmen, one competent and sincere, the other incompetent and deceitful; two merchants, one truthful and trustworthy, the other dishonest and treacherous; two officeholders, one strong and trustworthy, the other incapable and treacherous; and other such examples.
We have, praise be to Allah, come to recognize the falsity of statements that oppose the Messenger’s teaching to an extent that cannot be detailed here. That would require us to discuss every question of religion, examine fully the arguments advanced by the proponents of falsehood, and demonstrate their invalidity. This is not the place for such an exhaustive treatment.
The purpose here is simply to demonstrate the invalidity of the deviant rule by which they give precedence to their innovated doctrines over the texts of Allah’s words and those of His Messenger. They have devised vague, ambiguous expressions with which they have misled many who believe in Allah and His Messenger, including leading scholars and religious figures. These people did not recognize the true nature of the deviation from the faith contained in those statements, and so accepted them from the hypocrites who had devised them.
As Allah Most High said concerning the hypocrites:
“Had they gone forth among you, they would have added nothing but disorder, and would have hurried about in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you; and among you are those who readily listen to them.”
[Al-Tawbah: 47]
He, glorified be He, explained that, had the hypocrites gone forth on a military expedition, they would have added nothing but disorder to the believers. They would have hurried—that is, moved swiftly—through their midst, meaning among them, seeking to sow discord among them. Among the believers are those who accept what they say: these are the ones who readily listen to them, meaning that they heed them. This does not mean those who convey reports to them, as some people suppose.
Rather, this resembles His saying:
“They eagerly listen to falsehood and listen to other people who have not