As for this Rāfidi’s statement:

“Look impartially at the words of this man (1). Did the cause of civil strife come from anyone but the shaykhs, or go beyond them?”

The answer is as follows: Civil strife first arose within Islam from the Shia, for they are the foundation of every form of strife and evil and the axis around which all strife revolves. Indeed, the first civil strife in Islam was the killing of Uthmān.

Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad that the Prophet—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him—said:

“Three things—whoever is delivered from them is truly delivered: my death, the killing of a caliph who is persecuted without right, and the Dajjāl.” (2)

Whoever (3) surveys the historical record of all the world’s factions will recognize that there has never been any group more united in following guidance and sound judgment, or farther removed from strife, division, and discord, than the Companions of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him. They are the best of creation, as Allah Himself testifies concerning them when He says:

“You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind: you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah.”

[Surah Āl Imrān: 110]

Likewise, among all nations there has never been one more united upon guidance, or farther removed from division and discord, than this Muslim community, because its members hold most firmly to the rope of Allah: His revealed Book and what came from His Prophet whom He sent. And the closer anyone was to holding fast