Shaykh al-Islām, leader of the imams and the Muslims, Abū al-‘Abbās Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Halīm ibn ‘Abd al-Salām Ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah sanctify his soul—said:

All praise is due to Allah. We seek His help and forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He leads astray, none can guide. I bear witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. He sent him with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion, and sufficient is Allah as a witness. May Allah bestow abundant blessings and peace upon him, his family, and his Companions.

“A Comprehensive Principle”

On holding fast to the Book of Allah and the obligation to follow it; explaining how it provides guidance in everything people need concerning their religion; that salvation and happiness lie in following it, and misery in opposing it; and its teaching that the Sunnah and the Muslim community must be followed.

Allah Most High said:

“He said, ‘Descend from it, both of you together, as enemies to one another. Then, if guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray nor suffer.’”

“But whoever turns away from My remembrance will have a life of hardship, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.”

“He will say,