or good deeds that erase sins, or other such factors.

Know that this is the path that must be followed, for the alternatives are two pernicious paths:

The first is to assert that the threatened punishment applies to every particular individual, claiming that this gives effect to the texts. This is more reprehensible than the position of the Khawārij, who declare people unbelievers for committing sins, or that of the Mu‘tazilah and others. Its invalidity is self-evident, and the evidence against it is well known from discussions elsewhere.

The second is to refrain from affirming and acting upon the implications of the hadiths of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), supposing that affirming their implications necessarily entails impugning whatever conflicts with them. Such abandonment leads to misguidance and to joining the followers of the two Scriptures,

“who took their rabbis and monks, as well as the Messiah, son of Mary, as lords besides Allah.”

For the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“They did not worship them; rather, when those leaders made the unlawful lawful for them, they followed them, and when they made the lawful unlawful for them, they followed them.”

It also leads to obeying created beings in disobedience to the Creator, and to dire consequences and an evil outcome, as implied by the words of Allah Most High:

“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and best in outcome.”