giving to a wealthy person is better than depriving a poor person, and pardoning a guilty person is better than punishing an innocent one.

If this applies to ordinary individuals, then the Companions are even more deserving (1) of such treatment. Thus, for one exercising independent judgment to err by treating them well—by praying for them, praising them, and defending [them] (2)—is better than for him to err (3) by mistreating them through cursing, disparagement, and vilification. At worst, the disputes that arose among them amount to sins, and sins are forgiven through many means to which they are more entitled than those who came after them. You will never find anyone who disparages them without venerating someone [who is] (4) beneath them; nor will you find anyone who makes much of any of their lapses without overlooking still greater lapses committed by others. This is among the gravest forms of ignorance and injustice.

These Rāfidis disparage them for minor sins, while overlooking disbelief and major sins among the unbelievers and hypocrites who assist them (5), such as Jews, Christians, polytheists, Ismailis, Nusayris, and others. Thus, whoever takes believers to task for