“When I command you to do something, do as much of it as you can.”

Allah also says:

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”

Many believers—Allah’s pious allies—may not attain the perfection of knowledge and faith attained by the Companions. They fear Allah as much as they can and obey Him to the best of their efforts, yet inevitably make mistakes, whether in their knowledge and statements or in their deeds and spiritual states. They are rewarded for their obedience, and He forgives their errors. For Allah Most High says:

“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and so have the believers. Each believes in Allah, His angels, His Books and His messengers: ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’ They say, ‘We hear and we obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord; to You is the final return.’”

And later in the passage:

“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake.”

Allah Most High said: “I have granted this.”

Whoever considers the path of any scholar or jurist, or that of any devout worshipper or ascetic, superior to the path of the Companions is mistaken, misguided and an innovator. Likewise, whoever regards everyone who strives to obey Allah but errs in some matters as blameworthy, flawed and deserving of hatred is mistaken, misguided and an innovator.

In their love and hatred, allegiance and enmity, people also exercise their judgment, sometimes getting it right and sometimes getting it wrong. [Many people, when they learn something they love about a man, love him unreservedly and overlook his evil deeds; when they learn something they hate about him, they hate him unreservedly and overlook his good deeds. Muhāt? And the case of one who