As for the revealed law, it is what is established from the Messenger in the Quran and Sunnah. All generations, earlier and later, must follow this law, and the best of Allah’s allies are those who follow it most completely. Whoever does not commit himself to this law, impugns it, or considers it permissible for anyone to depart from it is called upon to repent; if he repents, well and good; otherwise, he is put to death.

As for the interpreted law, it consists of rulings that scholars have reached through independent reasoning. It is permissible to follow one of the imams in such matters, but people are not obliged to adhere to the position of any particular imam.

As for the altered law, it consists of fabricated hadiths, distorted interpretations, misleading innovations introduced into the religious law that are not part of it, and judging by other than what Allah has revealed. It is not permissible for anyone to follow these or anything similar.

Judges rule only on the basis of outward evidence, while Allah Most High deals with what is hidden within. A judge’s ruling does not change the true nature of things. It is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“You bring your disputes before me, and some of you may be more eloquent in presenting their case than others. I judge only on the basis of what I hear. If I award anyone something belonging to his brother, he must not take it, for I am only allotting him a piece of the Fire.”

These are the words of the leader of judges and the master of Adam’s descendants.