and they are not blameworthy, unless they are swayed by caprice and transgression or are negligent in certain matters, in which case this will count among their sins. For the servant is commanded to adhere to the straight path in all his affairs. Allah Most High has ordained that we ask Him for this in every prayer. It is the greatest, most obligatory, and most comprehensive supplication, encompassing every good. Everyone needs to make this supplication, and for this reason Allah Most High has made it obligatory for the servant in every prayer.

Although a person may have been guided in a general way—such as by acknowledging that Islam is the truth and that the Messenger is true—he still requires detailed guidance concerning everything he says, does, and believes, so that he knows what to affirm or deny, love or hate, enjoin or forbid, and praise or condemn. In all of this, he needs Allah to guide him to the straight path: the path of those whom Allah has blessed—the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!

Indeed, among jurists, hadith scholars, Sufis, ordinary people, and those moderately versed in speculative theology—who have not delved into the deeper issues over which its adherents divided and disagreed—there are many who have heard speculative theology condemned only in general terms, or have heard (1) a particular group condemned only in general terms, without knowing the details. You will find such a person condemning a view and its proponent when it is expressed in one formulation, yet accepting it when expressed in another (2). He reads works of Quranic exegesis and jurisprudence and commentaries on hadith that contain the very doctrines he had condemned, yet accepts them when they come from other individuals of whom he thinks well, for they have presented them (3) in different terms or as part of the explanation of a Quranic verse, a hadith, or something else.