whom the Rafidah will malign. If you encounter the Rafidah, then fight them, for they are polytheists.” (1) There is room for scrutiny in the chain of transmission of this hadith.

Allah says: “Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and a great reward.” Ibn Jarir said: This means: among the offshoots brought forth by the crop; they are those who enter Islam after the crop, until the Day of Resurrection. The plural pronoun was used in accordance with the collective meaning of shatʾ (offshoot), rather than its singular form; hence, He did not say, “from it.” “Forgiveness and a great reward” means Paradise.