the Book and the Sunnah; if it accords with them, it is accepted; otherwise, it is rejected. As reported from the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—in the two Sahīh collections, he said:

“Whoever performs a deed that does not accord with our teaching, it is rejected.”

That is, it is not accepted.

If, then, the conduct and statements of shaykhs and scholars include right and wrong, guidance and misguidance, sound judgment and error, and they must refer all of this to Allah and the Messenger, accepting what Allah and His Messenger accept and rejecting what Allah and His Messenger reject—how much more must teachers and others like them do so? Allah Most High has said:

“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and leads to the best outcome.”

He Most High has also said:

“Mankind was one community. Then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of good tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between people concerning their differences. None differed over it except those who had been given it, after clear proofs had come to them, out of jealous animosity among themselves. Then Allah, by His permission, guided those who believed to the truth concerning which they had differed. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.”

We therefore ask Allah Most High to guide us and all our brothers to His straight path—the path of those whom He has blessed: the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are! And Allah, glorified is He, knows best.