Likewise, much of what Shaykh Abū ‘Abd al-Rahmān al-Sulamī attributes to Ja‘far in his “Haqā’iq al-Tafsīr” (Realities of Quranic Exegesis) consists of fabrications whose falsehood no one knowledgeable in this matter doubts. The same applies to many of the false doctrines that the Rāfidah attribute to him: these are among the most blatant lies told about him. Since their emergence, no sect within this community has surpassed the Rāfidah in lying and discord.

The first to introduce Rāfidī doctrine was a hypocrite and heretic called ‘Abd Allāh ibn Saba’. His purpose was to corrupt the Muslims’ religion, just as Paul, the author of the epistles in the Christians’ possession, had done. Paul introduced innovations that corrupted their religion. He had been a Jew, then hypocritically professed Christianity, intending to corrupt it. Ibn Saba’ likewise had been a Jew and pursued the same purpose, fomenting strife in an effort to corrupt the faith. He did not succeed in that; nevertheless, hostility and turmoil arose among the believers, during which ‘Uthmān, may Allah be pleased with him, was killed, and the ensuing strife unfolded as it did.

Yet Allah has not united this community upon error—all praise belongs to Allah. Rather, there will always remain within it a group upholding the truth, unharmed by those who oppose or abandon them, until the Hour comes. This is attested by the widely transmitted reports from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the authentic hadith collections.

When the Shiite innovations arose during the caliphate of the Commander of the Faithful, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him, he rejected them. Their adherents formed “three groups”: extremists, revilers, and those who maintained his superiority.