Pilgrimage and jihad remain in effect under the authority of the Muslim leaders—whether they are righteous or sinful—until the Day of Resurrection; nothing can suspend or invalidate them.

Third answer: Of the two canonical readings, the accusative recitation is the more widely accepted, and on that reading the issue is resolved.

Fourth answer: Washing the feet is exactly how the Prophet ﷺ performed ablution, as transmitted by his Companions. Not a single report—even a weak one—states that the Messenger ﷺ ever wiped over his feet, nor has such a practice been reliably attributed to any of his Companions. On the contrary, when he ﷺ saw a man whose foot had a dry spot the water had not reached, he ordered him to repeat his ablution and declared, “Woe to the heels from the Fire” (1). People are often careless about that area, and the water may fail to reach it because of negligence—an issue that is perfectly clear.

We addressed earlier the question of praying behind the imams, whether they are upright or corrupt: we pray behind them in obedience to the Prophet’s instruction, for he commanded us to obey them and forbade us to oppose them. The Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—followed his order; they prayed behind the governors even when those governors committed major sins, such as al-Hajjāj and others.

This practice is meant to preserve the unity of the community. It is the position of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah, as opposed to the stance of the Khārijites and the Muʿtazilah.