that “No one who pledged allegiance beneath the tree will enter the Fire,” as this is established in the Sahih (1) from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—(2). Thus, these are more than 1,400 leaders for Ahl al-Sunnah, and Ahl al-Sunnah testify (3) that not one of them will enter the Fire. This is testimony based on knowledge, as established by the Quran and the sunnah.
The sixth aspect:
It may be said that Ahl al-Sunnah testify to salvation—whether in general terms or with respect to specific individuals (4)—on the basis of knowledge. The Rafidah, however, if they testify, either testify (5) to what they do not know or bear false witness which they know to be a lie. They are as al-Shafi‘i [may Allah have mercy on him] (6) said: “I have never seen any people more given to bearing false witness than the Rafidah.”
(1) (N) reads: “as recorded in the two Sahīh collections.”
(2) The hadith narrated from Umm Mubashshir—may Allah be pleased with her—is recorded in Muslim, 4/1942 (Book of the Virtues of the Companions, chapter: The Virtues of the Companions of the Tree). Its wording is: She heard the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—say in Hafsa’s presence, “Allah willing, no one among the Companions of the Tree who pledged allegiance beneath it will enter the Fire.” Hafsa replied, “Indeed they will, O Messenger of Allah.” He rebuked her, whereupon she said, “There is none among you but will come to it” [Sūrat Maryam: 71]. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—then said, “Yet Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has said: ‘Then We shall save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers therein, kneeling’” [Sūrat Maryam: 72]. The hadith is also narrated from Umm Mubashshir in al-Musnad (al-Halabī ed.), 6/362, 420, and from Hafsa—may Allah be pleased with her—in Sunan Ibn Mājah, 2/1431 (Book of Asceticism, chapter: The Resurrection).
(3) (N) reads: “they intend,” which is a textual corruption.
(4) (N) and (M) read: “or with respect to a specific individual.”
(5) The second occurrence of “testified” is omitted from (N) and (M).
(6) “May Allah have mercy on him” is omitted from (N) and (M).