a follower of al-Shāfiʿī’s school “or affiliated with Shaykh 'Adī,” yet subsequently disagrees on some matter—and he may well be right. How, then, can it be deemed lawful to violate his honour, shed his blood, or take his property, despite what Allah Most High has stated concerning the rights of Muslims and believers? How can it be permissible to divide the community through invented labels that have no basis in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace? This division within the community—among its scholars, shaykhs, rulers, and leading figures—is what has enabled its enemies to gain power over it.

This has happened because they have ceased to act in obedience to Allah and His Messenger. As Allah Most High says:

“And from those who say, ‘We are Christians,’ We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded. So We caused animosity and hatred among them.”

Whenever people abandon some of what Allah has commanded them, animosity and hatred arise among them. When people become divided, they fall into corruption and perish; when they unite, their affairs are set right and they attain power. Unity is a mercy, while division is a punishment.

All of this is encompassed in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, as Allah Most High says:

“O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims.”

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together, and do not become divided.”

And further on, He says:

“And let there be among you a group calling to goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. It is they who are successful.”

Thus, enjoining what is right includes calling for harmony and unity, and forbidding