and of the Companions and the Successors, as well as the statements of the four imams of the Muslims, other imams, and the followers of the four imams, all agreeing with what I wrote in the fatwa. The fatwa is brief and does not allow for detailed exposition. No one can cite anything to the contrary from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—or from the Companions, the Successors, or the imams of the Muslims, whether the four imams or others.

Only those who speak without knowledge have opposed this. They have no transmitted account supporting what they say from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—or from the Companions, the Successors, or the imams of the Muslims. Nor can such a person produce any authoritative book transmitting the teachings of the Muslim imams that supports his claim. He does not know how the Companions and the Successors used to conduct themselves when visiting the grave of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—or other graves.

My handwritten statement of the fatwa I issued is available, and I have many similar statements written in my own hand. This is to be shown to everyone regarded as learned, in the East and the West. Whoever claims to possess knowledge contradicting it should write a detailed response in his own hand, identifying those who expressed his position before him and the evidence on which they relied.

Then, when the ruler, the sultan—may Allah support him—has examined what I have written and what others have written, I know that the truth will be as plain as the sun. Even the humblest of the sultan’s young attendants will recognize it. No sultan like him has been seen in these times; may Allah increase him in knowledge, sound judgment, and support. Everyone can recognize the truth, for the truth with which Allah sent the messengers cannot be confused with anything else