, who dislikes death, while I dislike causing him distress; yet he must face it.’”

For this reason, people of knowledge and piety—such as Abū Yazīd al-Bistāmī and others—said: “If you see a man flying through the air or walking on water, do not be deceived by him until you see how he observes the commands and prohibitions.”

Al-Shāfi'ī said: “If you see an adherent of innovation flying through the air, do not be deceived by him.”

Allah’s pious friends are those who follow the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, as Allah Most High says:

“Say, ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.’”

Their path is that of Allah’s prophets and messengers, His pious friends, and His successful party. As for those given to polytheism, religious innovations, and wickedness, their states are of the same kind as those of “Musaylimah the Liar” and “al-Aswad al-Ansī,” who both claimed prophethood in the final days of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Each had devils who supplied him with information and assisted him.

Al-Ansī had seized control of Yemen during the lifetime of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Allah then brought about his death at the hands of His believing servants. He had demanded that Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī follow him, but he refused. So he cast him into the fire, and Allah made it