All the rational principles invented by both these groups are false according to both reason and revealed law, even though each group considers them among the greatest matters of religion and gives them precedence over the principles of revealed law. In this respect, they are like the devotees, ascetics, faqīrs, and Sufis who exalt extraordinary feats of satanic origin and prefer them to prescribed acts of worship. Yet those prescribed acts of worship constitute their share of Islam, while those extraordinary feats are all false, even though they regard them as greater than acts of worship. They go so far as to say:

“The Sufi’s final stage is the jurist’s starting point, and the jurist’s final stage is the ecstatic’s starting point.”

Likewise, the author of Manāzil al-Sā’irīn (The Stations of the Wayfarers) mentions three degrees in every chapter. The first, which they regard as the lowest, outwardly conforms to revealed law. The second may or may not conform to it, while the third generally contradicts it, especially concerning “monotheism,” “annihilation,” “hope,” and similar matters. What they have innovated is greater in their estimation than those matters in which they have followed the messengers. Many worshippers prefer their voluntary acts of worship to the performance of obligatory duties. This is widespread, and Allah knows best.

All praise belongs to Allah alone. May Allah bless our master Muhammad, his family, and his Companions, and grant them abundant peace. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds.