and practice, they do not follow this path, but take another: through analogical reasoning and rational inquiry, through spiritual experience and inward feeling, or through imitation. As for what has come from the Messenger, they either disregard it or subordinate it to the approach they have adopted.

Consider, then, the hypocrisy of these two groups, despite their inward and outward acknowledgment that Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the most perfect and excellent of all creation, that he is a Messenger, and that he is the most knowledgeable of people. Yet if they do not regard following him as obligatory and consider it permissible not to follow him, they fall into disbelief. This is exceedingly common, but a detailed discussion of the ruling concerning such people belongs elsewhere.