to attack and can be overpowered in places such as towns. Yet fighting on horseback with weapons is nobler and better than fighting with weapons from within fortresses: a warhorse is better than fortresses. Those who fight only from within fortresses and behind walls are blameworthy, as Allah Most High says of the Jews:

“They will not fight you all together except in fortified towns or from behind walls. Their fighting among themselves is fierce. You think they are united, but their hearts are divided. That is because they are a people who do not understand.”
[Surah al-Hashr 14]

Innovations in matters of governance, kingship and warfare are exceedingly numerous, but this is not the place to discuss them. The community originally comprises four categories, as mentioned in His words:

“So recite whatever is easy for you of the Quran. He knows that some of you will be ill, others travelling through the land seeking Allah’s bounty, and others fighting in Allah’s cause.”
[Surah al-Muzzammil 20]

The first category is the Quran reciters, encompassing scholars and worshippers. This includes the groups that have branched off from these categories, such as speculative theologians, Sufis and others.

Another category consists of those who earn their livelihood by travelling through the land. As for settled craftsmen and merchants, they may also belong to the category of resident Quran reciters, unlike travellers. For the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “When a servant falls ill or