fighting the disbelievers. Moreover, no one fights alongside them without being coerced unless he is an evildoer, an adherent of religious innovation, or a heretic—such as the heretical Qarmatian esotericists, the Rāfidah who engage in reviling, and the attribute-denying Jahmiyyah among the negationists who profess divine indwelling. Among those with them whom they follow—people claiming learning and religious devotion—are some who are worse than they are. For the Tatars are ignorant people who blindly follow those of whom they think well. In their error and waywardness, they follow them in misguidance whereby they fabricate lies about Allah and His Messenger, alter Allah’s religion, do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and do not adhere to the religion of truth. Were I to describe what I know of their affairs, the discussion would be lengthy.

In short, their doctrine and the religion of Islam are incompatible. Were they to openly uphold the upright religion of Islam with which Allah sent His Messenger, they would be rightly guided and obedient, like the group granted victory. For it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“A group of my community will continue to prevail upon the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them or abandon them, until the Hour comes.”

It is also authentically reported from him in the Sahīh that he said:

“The people of the west will continue to prevail.”

The west begins with the region lying in line with al-Bīrah and similar places. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, spoke these words while in the Prophet’s city, Medina. Whatever lies west of it is therefore west, such as Syria and Egypt, and whatever lies east of it is east, such as al-Jazīrah and Iraq. The early generations used to call the people of Syria “the people of the west” and the people of Iraq “the people of the east.” This summary I have given is supported by