at the hands of Ali’s army—their humiliating her and gaining control over [her] (1). If this argument is accepted, Muāwiya’s argument—may Allah be pleased with him—must also be accepted.

The Rāfidis and others like them among the ignorant and unjust invoke arguments that necessarily demonstrate the unsoundness of their own position and their self-contradiction. For if a parallel argument is invoked [against them, their position is rendered untenable, since that parallel refutes it; and if no parallel argument is invoked] (2), their argument is invalid in itself, because like cases must necessarily be treated alike. Yet their ultimate basis is nothing more than desire devoid of knowledge: “Who is more astray than one who follows his own desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”

The overwhelming majority of Ahl al-Sunnah agree that Ali is superior to Talha and Zubayr, let alone Muāwiya and others.

They say (3): When the Muslims divided during Ali’s caliphate, with one group fighting against him and another fighting (4) alongside him, he and his companions were the party closer to the truth. This is established in the two Sahih collections (5), where the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“A renegade faction will break away when the Muslims are divided; the party closer to the truth will kill them.” (6)

These were the renegade Kharijites who broke away, whereupon Ali and his companions killed them. It is therefore known that Ali and his companions were closer to the truth than Muāwiya—may Allah be pleased with him—and his companions. Yet Ahl al-Sunnah speak with knowledge and justice, giving everyone his due.