the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—were leaders of guidance and lamps amid darkness; that the source of every (1) tribulation and calamity was the Shi'a and [those] who rallied (2) to them; and that many of the swords drawn in Islam came only from their quarter. He would also know that hypocrites were their root and source. They fabricated lies and introduced corrupt ideas in order to corrupt the religion of Islam and lead astray those who lacked (3) sound judgment. They therefore strove to bring about Uthmān’s killing—the first of the tribulations—and then rallied around Ali, not out of love for him or for the Prophet’s household, but to foment discord among the Muslims.
Among those who worked alongside him, some later declared him an unbeliever and fought him, as the Khawārij did. Theirs was the first sword drawn against the Muslim community. Others openly maligned (4) the first three caliphs, as the Rāfidah did. Heretics concealed themselves behind them, including the extremists among the Nusayris and other groups, as well as the esoteric Qarmatians, the Ismā'īlīs, and others. Thus, they are the source of every tribulation, whereas the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—are the source of all knowledge, righteousness, guidance, and mercy in Islam.
For this reason, you find the Shi'a championing Islam’s apostate enemies, such as Banū Hanīfah, the followers of Musaylimah the Liar. They claim, “They were wronged,” as the author of this book has stated. They also champion Abū Lu'lu'ah, the unbelieving Magian. Some of them say, “O Allah, be pleased with Abū Lu'lu'ah and raise me in his company.” Some of them also say concerning some of