[Refutation of their claim that Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—acted on the basis of an explicit text, and an explanation of the Rāfidites’ extremism concerning Alī and the Imams]

If they say that Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—did so on the basis of an explicit text, it is replied (1):

First, we believe that Alī was a rightly guided caliph, as was Uthmān. Yet even before examining the justification each of them had for his actions, there is no doubt that Alī’s actions leave greater room for suspicions and accusations than do Uthmān’s.

If someone says that Alī had a justification for what he did (2), he is told that Uthmān’s justification for what he did was stronger. If infallibility and similar qualities are claimed for Alī so as to silence his detractors, then the claim made for Uthmān—that he acted on the basis of independent judgment, thereby silencing his detractors—is more consonant with reason [and transmitted evidence] (3).

The Rāfidite considers individuals concerning whom it has become evident through clear (4) reason and sound transmitted evidence that some were more exemplary in conduct than others; yet he declares the superior one blameworthy and deserving of censure, while declaring the inferior one infallible and deserving of praise.

Christians do the same: they consider the prophets—may Allah’s blessings be upon them—although Allah has favored some of them