the authentic hadith, on the death of ʿUthmān ibn Mazʿūn: “As for ʿUthmān, certainty has come to him from his Lord.”

Al-Junayd ibn Muhammad—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked about someone who says that he has advanced along the path of righteousness to the point that deeds are no longer required of him. He replied, “Unlawful sexual intercourse, theft, and drinking wine are better than what these people say.” Al-Junayd—may Allah have mercy on him—spoke the truth: those are major sins, whereas this is unbelief and hypocrisy, and major sins are better than unbelief and hypocrisy.

When one of these people says, “We have left the Presence and come to the door,” these are true words intended to convey falsehood. They have indeed left Satan’s presence and come to the door of the Most Merciful. It is related, for example, that one of their shaykhs was attending a gathering for devotional listening. When the caller gave the call to prayer, he rose to pray and said, “We were in the Presence, but now we have come to the door.” There is no doubt that he was in Satan’s presence and then came to the door of the Most Merciful. But the claim that he was in Allah’s presence and then came to His door is untenable for anyone who believes in Allah and His Messenger. It is authentically established that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“A servant is nearest to his Lord when he is prostrating.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:

“Be steadfast, though you will never attain complete steadfastness. Know that the best of your deeds is prayer, and that none but a believer consistently maintains his ablution.”

In an authentic hadith, Ibn Masʿūd relates concerning the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: “He