a rank that belongs to any other imam. Rather, anyone’s statements may be accepted or rejected, except those of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Whoever makes any person other than the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, the standard by which those who love and agree with him are counted among the people of the Sunnah and the community, while those who oppose him are counted among the people of religious innovation and division—as occurs among groups that follow leading figures in religious discourse and other matters—is himself among the people of religious innovation, misguidance, and division. This makes clear that those most entitled to be considered the saved group are the people of hadith and the Sunnah.
They have no one whom they follow with unwavering allegiance except the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They are the most knowledgeable about his sayings and his life, and the most discerning in distinguishing sound reports about him from unsound ones. Their imams possess deep understanding of these reports, knowledge of their meanings, and commitment to following them: believing them, acting upon them, loving them, showing loyalty to those who support them, and enmity towards those who oppose them.
They relate broadly worded doctrinal statements to the Book and wisdom that he brought. They do not establish a proposition as a foundation of their religion or a central tenet of their teaching unless it is established in what the Messenger brought. Rather, they make the Book and wisdom with which the Messenger was sent the foundation they believe in and rely upon.
Whatever people dispute concerning the divine attributes, divine decree, threats of punishment, religious designations, enjoining right and forbidding wrong, and other matters, they refer to Allah and His Messenger. They clarify the ambiguous expressions disputed by the people of division and disagreement. Whatever meanings accord with the Book and the Sunnah, they affirm; and whatever meanings conflict with the Book and the Sunnah