This is because they made obligatory upon Allah what is not obligatory upon Him and reported what never occurred. This contradiction thus necessarily followed from their falsehood and ignorance.

An eighth answer is as follows:

The designation (1) that would eliminate this (2) corruption may take several forms.

The first is for the Prophet [—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—] (3) to foretell that a certain person will assume authority and to commend him for his rule. The Ummah would then know that if (4) this person assumed authority, he would be praiseworthy and approved, thereby eliminating contention—even if he did not say, “Appoint him.” This form of designation occurred concerning Abū Bakr and Umar.

The second is for him to foretell events necessarily demonstrating the rectitude of those in authority. These prophetic reports were fulfilled during the caliphates of Abū Bakr and Umar.

The third is that (5) he instruct someone who comes to him to go, after his death, to a person who will take his place, thereby indicating that this person is his successor after him. This occurred concerning Abū Bakr (6).

The fourth is for him to intend to write a document and then say, “Allah and the believers will appoint no one but so-and-so.” This occurred concerning Abū Bakr.

The fifth is for him to command that a certain person be followed after his death, thereby making that person his successor.

The sixth is for him to command that the sunnah of his rightly guided successors be followed, and specify