rather, the one who originated this did not intend to follow the prophets. He invented it just as others instituted idol worship and other religions of the unbelievers, knowing that these contradicted the messengers—as was mentioned concerning those Jews who altered their religion. It then spread among people who did not know its origins.

This differs from the innovation of the Khawārij, which originated in their understanding of the Quran: they misunderstood it, but their intention was to follow the Quran inwardly and outwardly. They are not heretics. Likewise, the fundamental aim of the Qadariyyah was to uphold the commands and prohibitions, promises and warnings brought by the messengers, and they follow the passages of the Quran that indicate these things. The fundamental intention of ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and those like him was not to oppose the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, unlike the originator of Rāfidī doctrine.

Likewise, the doctrine of irjā’ was introduced by people whose intention was to regard all who face the qiblah in prayer as believers, not unbelievers. They opposed the Khawārij and the Mu‘tazilah, but ended up at the opposite extreme.

Similarly, moderate Shiism—which consists of regarding ‘Alī as superior and giving him precedence over others, and similar views—was not an invention of heretics. This differs from the claim that he was explicitly designated and was infallible: the one who invented that was a hypocrite and a heretic.