until they make witnessing Allah’s oneness in lordship, and fanāʾ (annihilation) in that witnessing, the ultimate goal. They also withdraw from the Muslim community and its Sunnah; in this respect, they too are Mu‘tazilites—those who withdraw. The innovation into which they have fallen may be worse than the innovation of those Mu‘tazilites. Both groups originated in Basra.

Allah’s religion is none other than that with which He sent His messengers and which He revealed in His Books. It is the straight path: the way of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—the best generation, the finest of this community, and the most honored of creation in the sight of Allah Most High after the prophets.

The Most High says:

“And the first forerunners among the Emigrants and the Helpers and those who followed them with good conduct—Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.”

His pleasure with the first forerunners is unqualified, whereas His pleasure with those who follow them is conditional upon their following them in righteousness. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in authentic hadiths:

“The best generation is the generation among whom I was sent, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.”

‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say:

“Whoever among you wishes to follow an example should follow those who have died, for the living are not safe from being put to trial. Those are the Companions of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: the most righteous in heart of this community, the deepest in knowledge, and the least given to affectation. They were people whom Allah chose to accompany His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and to establish His religion. So recognize their due and hold fast to their guidance, for they followed upright guidance.”