from what ignorant and deceitful people mix into it—those who lie about Allah and His Messenger, are ignorant of His religion, introduce into it innovations resembling those of the polytheists, and belittle the Messenger’s revealed law, his Sunnah, and the affirmation of Allah’s oneness with which he was sent. Belittling his religion, Sunnah, and revealed law entails disparaging and impugning him, for which the perpetrator deserves a corresponding punishment.

The rulers of the Muslims therefore bear the foremost responsibility for supporting Allah and His Messenger, striving in His cause, exalting Allah’s religion, and upholding the revealed law of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is the finest of revealed laws, with which Allah sent the last of the messengers and the best of the prophets. They must also uphold its teachings: affirming Allah’s oneness, worshipping Him without partners, and worshipping Him according to what He has commanded and prescribed, not according to desires and innovations.

Whatever favors Allah has granted those in authority, whatever blessings He has bestowed upon them in this world, and whatever blessings they hope to receive from Allah in the Hereafter come only through their following the Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and supporting the truth he brought.

The ruler—may Allah strengthen him and guide him aright—has sought the objective intended by what I have written. Its purpose is obedience to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and His Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and that we worship Allah alone, associating nothing with Him. Worship can only be in accordance with the revealed law of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This consists of what Allah Most High has made obligatory, such as the five daily prayers, fasting the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the Sacred House; or what He has recommended, such as prayer at night