for a servant may possess grounds for both when love of both things is combined within him. Among the principles by which Ahl al-Sunnah differ from the Khawārij is that one person may combine good deeds and evil deeds: he is rewarded for his good deeds and punished for his evil deeds, praised for his good deeds and blamed for his evil deeds. In one respect he is approved of and loved, while in another he is hated and regarded with displeasure. This, therefore, is the judgment concerning those who commit wrongful acts.

As for those acting solely on an admissible interpretation, they are people who exercise independent judgment but err. Their errors are forgiven, and they are rewarded for what they have done well through their good intentions and their efforts to seek and follow the truth. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“When a judge exercises independent judgment and is correct, he receives two rewards; when he exercises independent judgment and errs, he receives one reward.”

Accordingly, this judgment governs discussion of the earliest forerunners and those whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, testified would enter Paradise, such as ʿUthmān, ʿAlī, Talhah, al-Zubayr, and others like them. Indeed, it also applies to those below these eminent figures in rank: those present at al-Hudaybiyah who pledged allegiance beneath the tree. They numbered more than one thousand four hundred.

It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: