through disputation and stubborn contention, under the false assumption and vain hope that he can extinguish the light of Allah. Yet Allah will perfect His light, even though the disbelievers hate it.

[The Standing and Qualities of the People of Hadith]

The deniers are enraged by them, for they are the overwhelming majority and the largest body. Among them are knowledge and sound judgment, intelligence and forbearance, the caliphate and authority, governance and political leadership. They are the people of Friday prayers and public gatherings, congregations and mosques, sacred rites and festivals, pilgrimage and jihad. They extend kindness to all who come and go, and they defend the frontier outposts and bridges. They are those who strive for Allah as He deserves to be striven for and follow His Messenger upon his way. Their accounts of asceticism are well known, their moments are carefully preserved in their proper times, their legacy is followed throughout the ages, and their admonitions restrain people from wrongdoing and call them to the paths of the Hereafter. Their lives awaken people, their journey to their final abode is a lesson for those who come after them, their graves are visited, and their traces are not effaced by time, nor, despite the long passage of days, are they