In this subject—“The relative merits of deeds”—unless one understands which deeds are preferable, and that for many deeds this may vary with circumstances, much confusion will arise. Some people, once they believe an act to be recommended and preferable, observe it more diligently than they observe their obligations, until this leads them into following their desires, partisanship, and the zealotry of pre-Islamic ignorance. You find this among those who choose certain practices and regard them as distinguishing marks of their school. Others, when they consider refraining from such an act preferable, are more diligent in refraining from it than in avoiding prohibited acts, until this too leads them into following their desires and the zealotry of pre-Islamic ignorance. You find this among those who regard abstention as a distinguishing mark of their school, and in similar cases. All of this is wrong.

Rather, one must give everything its due, allow the latitude that Allah and His Messenger have allowed, and bring together what Allah and His Messenger have brought together. In doing so, one must take account of the benefits and objectives prescribed by the religion that Allah and His Messenger love. One must know that the best speech is the speech of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; and that Allah sent him as a mercy to all worlds, bringing happiness in this world and the Hereafter in every matter.

One must also possess enough detailed understanding to uphold these general principles. Otherwise, many people believe in them in general but abandon them when it comes to particulars, whether out of ignorance, wrongdoing, or following their desires. We therefore ask Allah to guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom Allah has blessed among the prophets and the steadfastly truthful