divine decree, and debating the religious matters over which polemicists argue and disagree. Instead, they submit to authentic narrations and to the reports transmitted by trustworthy narrators, one upright narrator from another, until the chain reaches the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They do not ask “How?” or “Why?”, for that is an innovation.

They affirm that Allah has not commanded evil; rather, He has forbidden it and commanded good. He does not approve of evil, even though He wills it.

They acknowledge the standing of the predecessors whom Allah chose to accompany His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They affirm their virtues and refrain from discussing the disputes that arose among them, great and small alike. They give precedence to Abū Bakr, then Umar, then Uthmān, then Alī—may Allah be pleased with them—and acknowledge that they are the upright, rightly guided caliphs, the best of all people after the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.