then the Followers, the favored generations, and the early predecessors of this community, together with its leading scholars—such as the four Imams.

Allah, Exalted be He, says: “And those who come after them say, ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any rancor toward those who believe. Our Lord, You are indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful.’” (Al-Hashr 59:10)

No one who carries faith in his heart harbors hatred for the Companions or for the predecessors of this ummah; such hatred is found only among the deviant, the hypocrites, and the enemies of Islam—like the Rāfiḍah and the Khārijites. We ask Allah for protection.

Second category: those who must be detested and opposed with unalloyed hatred and enmity, with no love or allegiance whatsoever. They are the outright disbelievers and polytheists.