By Allah, I am among those most eager to help extinguish every evil in this matter and elsewhere, and to establish every good. Whatever Ibn Makhlūf might do, by Allah, I will do him whatever good I can, and I will never help his enemy against him. There is no power or strength except through Allah. This is my intention and resolve, despite my knowledge of all these affairs. I know that Satan sows discord among the believers, and I will not help Satan against my Muslim brothers. If I were outside, I would know better how to help him. But they have acted falsely in this matter, and Allah chooses for all Muslims what is best for their religion and their worldly affairs. This cycle will not end, nor will the confusion disappear, except through returning to Allah, seeking His forgiveness, repenting, and sincerely seeking refuge in Him. Indeed, there is no refuge from Him except with Him. There is no power or strength except through Allah.

As for what you mentioned about Shaykh Nasr, that he said, “I would have preferred that they not become aware of him until he had already left, for fear that so-and-so might find out, and they would learn of it and begin talking, causing much uproar and discussion”—tell him that whenever anyone speaks the truth, I, more than anyone, ought to listen to it, abide by it, and accept it, whether it is sweet or bitter. I, more than anyone, ought to repent of the sins I have committed; indeed, I would be most deserving of punishment if I were leading Muslims astray from their religion.

I have said before that no one should allow his affection for someone and his loyalty to him to lead him to take that person’s side in falsehood or to suspend Allah Most High’s prescribed punishments for his sake. Indeed, these are the words of