Likewise, in this case, if someone were to say, “There is no one with whom his Lord will not meet in private, with neither a gatekeeper nor an interpreter between them,” or, “All people will be gathered before Allah; He will look upon them, and they will look upon Him,” this wording would differ from the earlier wording in what it suggests.

Let no one, therefore, depart from the transmitted wording, even though disagreement may arise over some aspects of its meaning. Such disagreement is inevitable; the matter is as our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has told us. All goodness lies in following the righteous early generations, acquiring extensive knowledge of the hadith of Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, understanding it deeply, holding fast to the rope of Allah, adhering to whatever fosters unity and harmony, and avoiding whatever leads to disagreement and division. The exception is a clear case in which Allah and His Messenger have commanded some form of avoidance: that command must be obeyed wholeheartedly.

But when it is unclear whether a statement or action warrants punishment, one must refrain from imposing it, because the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Avert the prescribed punishments where there is doubt, for it is better for you to err in pardoning than to err in punishing.”

This was narrated by Abū Dāwūd. This applies especially when the matter leads to prolonged evil and division among Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah, for the harm arising from such division is many times greater than the evil resulting from a few people’s error on a subsidiary issue.

When someone is uncertain about a matter, let him offer the supplication narrated by Muslim in his Sahīh, on the authority of ‘Ā’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said:

“When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, rose to pray, he would say: ‘O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, Michael, and Isrāfīl, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of