Muslims—including the Companions, those who followed them [in excellence] (1), and the imams of the Muslims.

Those who dispute this are the Kharijites and Mu‘tazilites, who say: “In the Hereafter, a person can only be either rewarded or punished. Whoever enters the Fire will never leave it, whether through intercession or by any other means.” They also say that a major sin nullifies all good deeds and leaves the perpetrator with no faith whatsoever.

Abundant texts transmitted from the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—establish that some people (2) will be brought out of the Fire after they have been charred. The intercession of the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—for those of his community who committed major sins is also established. Indeed, reports to this effect have reached the level of mass transmission among hadith scholars—more so than reports establishing the minimum value that incurs the prescribed penalty for theft (3), the stoning of a married adulterer, the zakat thresholds, the right of pre-emption, a grandmother’s inheritance, and similar matters.

However, (4) this principle is not needed in the case of someone such as (5) Uthmān and others like him, for whom it is attested that he is in Paradise, that Allah is pleased with him, and that He will not punish him in the Hereafter. Rather, we attest that the Ten are in Paradise, that those who took the Pledge of Ridwān are in Paradise, and that those who participated at Badr are in Paradise, as the report to that effect (6) is established from the Truthful One whose truthfulness is affirmed, [who does not speak from his own desire; it is nothing but revelation sent down] (7). A great many were involved in the civil strife, including some of