and among the most just. (1) He was also one of the staunchest in opposing adherents of religious innovation, especially the Rāfidis. Indeed, he had ordered that they and others like them be cursed (2) throughout his lands. The Ubaydid ruler al-Hākim in Egypt wrote to him, calling upon him, but he burned the letter in the presence of its bearer. His renowned support for Ahl al-Sunnah is well known. (3)

[Discussion of the Rāfidi’s claim that Ahl al-Sunnah deemed usurped property lawful if the usurper altered its form]

He says:

“They deemed usurped property lawful if the usurper altered its form. They said: Suppose a thief entered premises belonging to someone (4) who had (5) animals, a mill, and grain there. If the thief used the owner’s animals and millstones to grind his grain, he would thereby acquire ownership (6) of the flour. If the owner then came and disputed it with him, the owner would be the wrongdoer and the thief the wronged party. If they fought and the owner was killed, his death would incur no liability (7); but if the thief was killed, he would be a martyr.”

In reply, it is said:

First, this issue (8) is not the position of the majority of the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah. (9)