the Syrian shaykhs and scholars concerning what they deemed lawful of fighting against ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib and his companions during the civil strife; and to the position of groups among the followers of those from the Hijaz, Iraq, and elsewhere who fought alongside ʿAlī during that strife. There are many similar matters over which the Muslim community disagreed, with people of knowledge and religious devotion on each side.

No one may therefore argue for either position merely on the strength of its adherents’ statements, even if they were among the most learned and devout of people, for those who opposed them were also people of knowledge and religious devotion.

Allah Most High says:

“If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.”
[Surah al-Nisāʾ 59]

Thus, when disagreement arises, recourse must be to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

Certainly, if a statement concerning such disputed matters is authentically established from someone held in esteem by the Muslim community, this is evidence that the disagreement has a precedent and that some people known for asceticism, worship, and spiritual discipline engaged in such practices. There is no doubt about this.

Yet this alone does not permit the seeker who desires Allah and wishes to follow His path to imitate them in this, when their disagreement with others, and those others’ condemnation of their conduct, are evident. Rather, the seeker must follow the straight path, the path of those You have blessed—the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous—and follow what is indicated by the Quran, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus. For that is the path of Allah which He mentioned and approved in His words:

“And this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow other paths, for they will separate you from His path.”
[Surah al-Anʿām 153]

This establishes a fundamental principle: in matters of disagreement and uncertainty, the mere statement of someone whose position is disputed cannot serve as proof.