the speculative theology (kalam) people have recently introduced about accidents and bodies?’ He answered, ‘Those are the doctrines of the philosophers. Hold fast to the transmitted reports and the path of the early generations; beware of every new thing, for every novelty is an innovation.’

67 – ʿAbd al-ʿAziz ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi Salama said: ‘Cling to the sunnah, for—with Allah’s permission—it is your safeguard. The sunnah was established as a protection so that it might be followed and its limits not overstepped; the one who instituted it knew full well the slips, errors, folly, and excess that lie outside it.

So be content for yourself with what they were content with for themselves. They acted upon clear knowledge and, with penetrating insight, refrained. They were better able than you to uncover the realities, and, had there been any superior virtue therein, they were the ones most entitled to it. They are the forerunners.

If the guidance is truly what you are on today, then you have outstripped them to it; and if something new has arisen after them, it was introduced only by someone who left their path and set himself above them. They have already described what suffices and spoken in a manner that brings healing. No one who falls short of them is excusable, and no one who goes beyond them is commendable. Some people fell short and became harsh; others overreached and went to extremes. They, however, stand between the two, upon straight guidance.’