but rather the revealed text supports the opposite](1). They therefore had to claim the consensus they allege and maintain that it constitutes authoritative proof.

As for the hadith scholars, their principal reliance is upon the established texts transmitted from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and their consensus, whenever it occurs, is based upon those texts. This is especially so since their leading scholars say:

No sound consensus can ever contradict a revealed text unless that consensus is accompanied by another clear and well-known text that is recognized as conflicting with the former text. If they do not permit revealed texts to be opposed on the basis of a claimed consensus of the Muslim community—because, in their view, a revealed text and consensus cannot truly conflict—then how much less could revealed texts be opposed on the basis of a claimed consensus of the Prophet’s family or of the people of Medina?

No sect other than Ahl al-Sunnah and the hadith scholars holds any sound position that is not also held by the leading hadith scholars. Rather, every such sect inevitably possesses something of the true religion of Islam. This is what gives rise to confusion; otherwise, pure falsehood would deceive no one. For this reason, religious innovators are called the people of specious arguments, and it is said of them:

“They mix truth with falsehood.”

[The People of the Book Possess Both Truth and Falsehood]

Likewise, the People of the Book possess both truth and falsehood. For this reason, Allah Most High said to them:

“Do not mix truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know.”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 42]

And He said:

“Do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part?”

[Surah al-Baqarah: 8]

And He said of them:

“They say, ‘We believe in some and disbelieve in others,’ wishing to take a path in between.”

[Surah al-Nisā: 150]

And He said of them: