The poor, like the wealthy, may be among the foremost, among those who follow a middle course, or among those who wrong themselves. Both groups include the steadfastly truthful believer and the hypocritical heretic.

In the terminology of later generations, however, “faqīr” denotes someone journeying towards Allah Most High, as does “Sūfī” in their usage. Some regard the designation “Sūfī” as superior to “faqīr,” because, in their view, it describes someone who fulfills both the inward and outward requirements. Others regard “faqīr” as superior, because, in their view, it describes someone who has severed attachments and whose outward activities are confined to obligatory duties. These are disputes over wording and terminology.

The correct understanding is that the praiseworthy meaning intended by these two terms is already encompassed by such designations as the steadfastly truthful, the friend of Allah, and the righteous, along with similar names found in the Quran and Sunnah. Insofar as someone falls within these prophetic designations, the rulings conveyed by the divine message apply to him.

As for distinctive features which an adherent considers virtues although they are not, or on whose basis he forms bonds of allegiance with others, and similar matters upon which higher standing in religious and worldly affairs is made to depend, these carry no weight in Islamic law. If, however, they are treated as merely permissible pursuits, like crafts, there is no harm in that, provided one does not believe that these permissible things are religiously recommended.

As for whatever accompanies this that is reprehensible in Allah’s religion, including various forms of religious innovation and wickedness, it must be forbidden as Islamic law prescribes.