sins and their prohibition, and in following and revering the Quran, they have done well. Their error, however, arose from their failure to follow the Sunnah and believe what it teaches concerning mercy for the believer, even one who has committed a major sin.

Likewise, the Murjiʾa have done well in affirming the faith of those who commit sins and the mercy shown to them. But the root of their error lies in their denial that deeds are part of faith and that those who commit major sins are subject to punishment. The former went to excess in forbidding wrong and fell short in enjoining right. The latter fell short both in forbidding wrong and in enjoining much of what is right.

Likewise, the Qadariyya have done well in regarding sins as grave, condemning those who commit them, and affirming that Allah Most High is far above injustice and doing evil. Their error lies in denying Allah’s all-encompassing will, His perfect power, and His eternal knowledge as well.

The same applies to the Jahmiyya: the root of their error is the negation of Allah’s attributes and the rejection of what the messengers conveyed from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, concerning His names and attributes. This is especially clear in their case.

For this reason, we have said more than once that the messengers brought detailed affirmation and general negation, whereas the disbelievers among the Sabian and polytheist philosophers