in condemning it; all of them are forgiven. Yet one of them may be sinful, just as both may be sinful.

The best speech is Allah’s speech, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The worst matters are newly introduced innovations, and every religious innovation is misguidance.

One of these people may be granted some authority to command and forbid: he appoints and dismisses, gives and withholds. Someone may suppose that this is perfection, but it is perfection only when it accords with Allah’s command and thus constitutes obedience to Him. Otherwise, it belongs to the realm of kingship, and the acts of kings fall into three categories: sin, blameless conduct, or obedience.

The deeds of the Rightly Guided Caliphs are acts of obedience and worship, and they are followers of the servant-Messenger. This is the path of the foremost, those brought near to Allah. As for the path of just kings, it consists of either obedience or blameless conduct. It is the path of the prophet-kings and of the righteous, the people of the right hand.

As for the path of unjust kings, it includes acts of disobedience. It is the path of those who wrong themselves.

Allah Most High says:

“Then We caused those whom We chose from among Our servants to inherit the Book. Among them are those who wrong themselves, among them are those who follow a middle course, and among them are those who are foremost in good deeds, by Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty.”

Thus, every believer must be