“Malāmiyya,” who concealed their good deeds and outwardly adopted appearances not associated with righteousness, such as dressing like the wealthy and wearing a turban. This comes close to what is right, and a person who does so is rewarded for his intention. Then others emerged who engaged in practices deemed reprehensible by Islamic law. Matters then went further: some committed forbidden acts, including indecencies and other wrongdoing, and abandoned obligatory duties, claiming that they were thereby engaging in “blame-seeking practices.” They were indeed right insofar as they deserved blame, censure and punishment from Allah in this world and the Hereafter. All of them must be punished and prevented from maintaining this accursed outward practice, just as anyone who openly displays religious innovation or wickedness must be.

This is not confined to them. Rather, it applies to anyone among religious devotees, students of jurisprudence, worshippers, those who profess poverty, ascetics, speculative theologians and philosophers, as well as those who agree with them among rulers, the wealthy, scribes, accountants, physicians, government officials and ordinary people, who departs from the guidance and religion of truth with which Allah sent His Messenger: someone who does not affirm everything Allah has conveyed through His Messenger, does not regard as forbidden what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, or follows a religion that conflicts, inwardly and outwardly, with the religion with which Allah sent His Messenger.

Examples include someone who believes that his shaykh provides for him, grants him victory, guides him, comes to his rescue or assists him; someone who worships his shaykh or supplicates to him and prostrates before him; someone who considers his shaykh superior to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, either absolutely or in some particular virtue that brings one nearer to Allah Most High; or someone who believes that he or his shaykh has no need to follow the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. All such people are disbelievers if they disclose these beliefs, and hypocrites if they conceal them.