Therefore we maintain that circulating these pamphlets behind the backs of the authorities is a major sin. Anyone who publishes, photocopies, or hands them out is sinful, for they fall squarely under the very definition of backbiting. Beyond that, they breed serious corruption: this is not like speaking ill of a single individual such as Zayd or ʿAmr, where the harm is limited to that person alone. Here the injury touches both the person maligned and the public order, for it inflames hearts and sows hatred toward those in authority. We therefore warn emphatically against distributing these leaflets and hold that whoever takes part in spreading them commits a grave sin. Even if we thought such methods could put matters right, the issue would be less severe; yet in reality they only deepen people’s resentment toward the rulers and unleash widespread harm. We ask Allah to requite whoever spreads them with what he deserves; truly, He is capable of all things.