“The worst form of misguidance” is following conjecture and desire, as Allah Most High said concerning those whom He condemned:

“They follow nothing but conjecture and what their souls desire, although guidance has already come to them from their Lord.”

He said concerning His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“By the star when it descends,”

“Your companion has neither gone astray nor erred,”

“Nor does he speak from his own desire,”

“It is nothing but revelation sent down to him.”

Thus, He declared him free of misguidance and error, which are ignorance and wrongdoing: the misguided person does not know the truth, while the erring person follows his desires. He also stated that he does not speak from personal desire; rather, it is revelation that Allah has revealed to him. He therefore affirmed his knowledge and declared him free of following desire.

I shall set out the main false principles introduced as innovations by groups among those who profess adherence to the Sunnah, yet have broken away from it and become some of the greatest wrongdoers.

These are arranged in chapters: