Sa‘d, al-Shāfi‘ī, Ahmad, Ishāq, Dāwūd and others. Their opinions must be supported by evidence from the Quran and Sunnah. Following another’s opinion on his authority is permissible where doing so is allowed. That is, following any one of them is not obligatory upon the entire Muslim community as following the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is obligatory. Nor is following any one of them on his authority forbidden, as following someone who speaks without knowledge is forbidden.

If, however, someone adds to the religious law something that does not belong to it, such as fabricated hadiths, or interprets the texts contrary to Allah’s intent, or does anything similar, this constitutes alteration. One must therefore distinguish between revealed religious law, interpreted religious law and altered religious law, just as one distinguishes between the reality of the created order and the religious reality pertaining to divine commands, and between what is substantiated by the Quran and Sunnah and what relies solely on an individual’s spiritual experience and ecstasy.

Section

In His Book, Allah has distinguished, with regard to “will,” “command,” “decree,” “permission,” “prohibition,” “raising up,” “sending,” “speech” and “making,” between what pertains to the created order—which He creates, determines and decrees, even though He has not commanded it, does not love it, does not reward those who do it and does not make them His pious allies—and what pertains to religion, which He commands and prescribes, for which He rewards people, honours them and makes them His pious allies