In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Part One

Author’s Introduction
Reason for Writing the Book

All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whomever He leads astray, none can guide. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

“O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 102]

“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and from it created its mate, and from the two spread many men and women. Fear Allah, in whose name you ask one another, and honour the ties of kinship. Indeed, Allah is ever watching over you.” [al-Nisā’: 1]

“O you who believe, fear Allah and speak upright words. He will set right your deeds for you and forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great triumph.” [al-Ahzāb: 70 and 71]

To proceed: the most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The worst matters are those newly introduced; every newly introduced matter is an innovation, every innovation is misguidance, and all misguidance leads to the Fire.

Now, I had never imagined that I would one day set aside some time