And some of those who profess philosophy say that the philosopher is superior to the prophet and more perfect than he is. Likewise, the heretical Shīʿah, such as the Ismāʿīlīs and others, say that their imams, such as Muhammad ibn Ismāʿīl ibn Jaʿfar and others like him, are superior to Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad—may Allah’s blessings be upon them all.

This belief then became widespread among groups of ignorant Berbers, Kurds, Persians, and Arabs, who believe that their shaykh is superior to the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him. Some of these shaykhs are hypocritical heretics.

Those who say that the Ismāʿīlī imams and similar hypocritical and sinful shaykhs are superior to the messengers are worse than the Christians. For the Christians claim that the disciples and others like them are superior to Abraham, Allah’s close friend, Moses, David, and other prophets, although the disciples were believers. If Christians who say this are among the most ignorant and most disbelieving of people, then anyone who ranks a heretic above Allah’s prophets and messengers is guilty of greater disbelief than the Christians in this respect.