Then, as a consequence of such extremism and misguidance, the Imāmī Rāfiḍites—and after them the philosophers, the Qarmaṭites, and others—went even further. The matter became far more serious with the philosophers and the Qarmaṭites, for they produced kinds of Qur’anic exegesis that would leave any scholar dumbfounded. One need only look at the Rāfiḍite interpretation of the verse, “May the hands of Abū Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he” (Al-Masad 1): they claim it refers to Abū Bakr and ʿUmar.

Explanation
In other words, they make Abū Bakr and ʿUmar the two “hands,” the two hands of Abū Lahab—may Allah grant us well-being. This shows that the Rāfiḍites, in reality, harbor intense rancor and hatred toward the Companions—indeed, toward the very religion of Islam—despite outwardly presenting themselves as Muslims and people of the faith. God forbid, inwardly they are among the most hostile and spiteful toward the Messenger’s Companions. A man may claim to be a believer, a Muslim, yet still maintain that this verse was revealed about Abū Bakr and ʿUmar, who are without doubt the noblest members of the community. If verses of this sort were truly revealed concerning them, what honor would remain for the rest of the Muslims?

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They likewise interpret the verse, “If you were to associate [others with Allah], your deeds would surely be nullified” (Az-Zumar 65), as referring to joining Abū Bakr and ʿUmar with ʿAlī in the Caliphate.

Explanation
What the verse actually means is: if you associate anything with Allah in His worship—“Indeed it has been revealed to you and to those before you: If you associate [others with Allah], your deeds will surely be nullified” (Az-Zumar 65). Yet they say: “If…"