on earth. Rather, Allah has vouched for the reliability of their testimony, just as He has vouched for the prophets in what they convey from Him: they say nothing about Him but the truth. Likewise, the community testifies concerning Allah only with truth. Allah Most High said:

“Follow the way of those who turn to Me.”

The community turns to Allah, so following its way is obligatory. Allah Most High also said:

“The first and foremost among the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in goodness—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”

He is thus pleased with those who follow the foremost believers until the Day of Resurrection. This indicates that whoever follows them acts in a manner pleasing to Allah, and Allah is pleased only with truth, not falsehood. Allah Most High also said:

“Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows a way other than that of the believers, We will leave him to what he has chosen and admit him into Hell—what an evil destination!”

ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz used to make a statement that Mālik frequently related from him. He said:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and those in authority after him established practices. Adhering to them affirms the Book of Allah, puts obedience to Allah into practice, and supports the religion of Allah. No one has the right to alter them or to entertain the opinion of anyone who opposes them. Whoever opposes them and follows a way other than that of the believers, Allah Most High will leave him to what he has chosen and admit him into Hell—what an evil destination!”

When al-Shāfiʿī, may Allah be pleased with him, devoted a separate treatment to the principles of jurisprudence, he cited this verse as evidence for consensus, as he and others had done, and as Mālik had related from ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz. The verse indicates that whoever follows a way other than that of the believers is deserving