such a verdict—one that only Allah Himself can render, for He alone knows the hidden secrets of hearts and the thoughts locked within the breasts, and nothing whatsoever escapes His knowledge. Does this man not realize the punishment that awaits one who makes such a pronouncement? Or does he know, but blind, black rancor and deep-seated hostility toward the advocates of the sunnah have veiled his sight? In either case, we remind him of these two noble hadiths, hoping he will desist from his wrongdoing, wake up from his heedlessness, and repent of his deed.

The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “If a man declares his fellow Muslim an unbeliever, then if the latter is indeed an unbeliever, so be it; otherwise the charge rebounds upon the one who uttered it.” 1 He also said, “Among the gravest forms of usury is to attack the honour of a Muslim without right.” 2

Finally, we say to him: Do you realize, O man, that by uttering such words you are contradicting the righteous forebears of this ummah and branding as unbelievers its mujtahid Imams—those who deemed tawassul through the Prophet, peace be upon him, or anyone else after their death impermissible, such as Imām Abū Ḥanīfah and his companions, may Allah have mercy on them all? Abū Ḥanīfah said, as mentioned earlier, “I dislike that anyone seek nearness to Allah except by Allah Himself.”

If you do not know this, that is a calamity; if you do know, the calamity is far greater.

And once again we affirm: every sincere and fair-minded person knows with certainty that we—praise be to Allah—are among the most ardent lovers of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him; among those who best recognize his rank, his due, and his virtues; that he is the best of the prophets, the leader of the messengers, their seal and their choicest—