The Thirteenth Point (1): It may be said that this verse of poetry which he cited [and approved] (2) is the utterance of an ignorant man. Ahl al-Sunnah unanimously accept what their grandfather narrated from Gabriel, from the Creator. Indeed, they accept the Messenger’s statement itself—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and believe it. They do not ask him, “How did you come to know this?” because they know that he is protected from error: “Nor does he speak from his own desire. It is only a revelation sent down.” They are called Ahl al-Sunnah precisely because they follow his Sunnah (3)—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

The issue, however, lies in [knowing] (4) what their grandfather narrated. They seek knowledge of this from trustworthy, reliable transmitters. If any one of (5) the Alids possesses knowledge of any part of it, they learn it from him (6); and if someone other than them possesses such knowledge, they learn it from him] (7).

As for the mere fact that their grandfather narrated from Gabriel, from the Creator, if they themselves have no knowledge of it, what benefit does that bring them (8)? People accepted the views of Mālik, al-Shāfi‘ī, Ahmad, and others only because they grounded their views in what the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—brought. These men were among those most knowledgeable about what he brought, the most faithful in following it, and the most diligent (9) in learning [it] and following it (10). Otherwise, what reason would people have to revere the likes of (11) these men?