Flagrant sinfulness predominates among you because lying (1), immoral acts, and wrongdoing are so widespread in your midst; indeed, these are more common among you than among the Kharijites and your other opponents. The followers of the Umayyads were far less given to wrongdoing, lying, and immoral acts than those who joined the Shi'a. Although some among the Shi'a possess truthfulness, religious commitment, and asceticism, these qualities are found to a greater degree among all the other groups than among them. The Kharijites alone would suffice as an example, for it was said concerning them:
“One of you will consider his prayer insignificant beside theirs, his fasting beside theirs, and his recitation beside theirs.” (2)
The sixth point is that before this, He said:
“Indeed, those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. They are the worst of creation.”
[Surah al-Bayyina: 6]
Then He said:
“Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds—they are the best of creation.”
[Surah al-Bayyina: 7]
This makes clear that the latter are distinct from the polytheists and the People of the Scripture. The Quran contains many passages in which “those who believe and do righteous deeds” are mentioned, and all of them are general in scope. What, then, warrants restricting this verse alone rather than its parallels?
The claim of the Rāfida—or of other followers of caprice, such as the Kharijites and many of the Mu'tazila and Jahmiyya—that many outside their own group are unbelievers, [and] that they (3) alone are “those who believe and do righteous deeds,” is like the assertion of the Jews and Christians:
“None will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian.” Those are their wishful claims. Say, “Produce your proof, if you are truthful.” Rather, whoever submits himself to Allah and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. They will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
[Surah al-Baqara: 111–112]
This applies generally to everyone who acts