and showing hostility to those who disagree with them. A person should therefore train himself to cultivate inward understanding in his heart and act upon it, for this serves as a restraint. What lies hidden in hearts becomes apparent in times of trial.

No one may advocate a position, believe in it, or engage in conflict over it merely because it is the position of his companions. Rather, he should do so because it is something Allah and His Messenger have commanded or conveyed, and thus constitutes obedience to Allah and His Messenger. The caller should give priority to the evidence they cite from the Quran, for it is light and guidance. Next, he should place the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as the imam of all imams, followed by the statements of the imams.

The caller’s situation falls into one of two cases:

First: he either exercises independent scholarly judgment or follows the judgments of others. The one exercising independent judgment examines the writings of the early scholars from the first three generations, then gives preference to whichever view deserves preference.

Second: the follower follows the early generations, since the earlier generations are better than those that came after them.

With this established, we say, as our Lord has commanded us:

“Say: We believe in Allah,”

through to His words:

“Muslims.”

We enjoin what He has commanded us and forbid what He has prohibited us, as stated explicitly in His Book and conveyed through His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. As He, Most High, says:

“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it”—the verse.

Thus, the rulings of this religion rest upon three foundations: the Book, the Sunnah, and consensus.