Minhaj as-Sunnah - Ibn Taimiya - (2/10)

followed them (1), imagining that superior numbers necessarily entailed correctness, and overlooking the words of Allah Most High:

“And few indeed are they.” [Surah Sad: 24]

“And few of My servants are grateful.” [Surah Saba: 13]

Another sought the leadership for himself by right [which belonged to him] (2). The small minority who had renounced this world and its adornments pledged allegiance to him. No reproach from any critic deterred them (3) in matters concerning Allah. Rather, they devoted themselves sincerely to Allah (4) and obeyed the one who deserved precedence, as they had been commanded.

Since this affliction befell (5) the Muslims, everyone was obliged to examine the truth, uphold fairness, acknowledge the truth in its proper place (6), and not wrong the one entitled to it. Allah Most High said (7):

“Surely Allah’s curse is upon the wrongdoers.” [Surah Hud: 18]

“The Imāmī school must therefore be followed for a number of reasons (8).” These are his words.

(1) K reads: “so he pledged allegiance to them.” (2) “To him” is omitted from N, M, and A. (3) K notes: The original reads *yuākhidhhum* (“hold them accountable”). (4) K reads: “for Allah Most High.” (5) K reads: “befell.” (6) K reads: “its proper place.” (7) K reads: “For Allah Most High has said.” (8) N and M read: “for four reasons previously mentioned,” which is incorrect.

فَتَابَعَهُمْ (١) ، وَتَوَهَّمَ أَنَّ الْكَثْرَةَ تَسْتَلْزِمُ الصَّوَابَ، وَغَفَلَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى: {وَقَلِيلٌ مَا هُمْ} ، [سُورَةُ ص: ٢٤] ، {وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ} ، [سُورَةُ سَبَأٍ: ١٣] . وَبَعْضُهُمْ طَلَبَ الْأَمْرَ لِنَفْسِهِ بِحَقٍّ [لَهُ] (٢) ، وَبَايَعَهُ الْأَقَلُّونَ الَّذِي أَعْرَضُوا عَنِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا، وَلَمْ يَأْخُذْهُمْ (٣) فِي اللَّهِ لَوْمَةُ لَائِمٍ، بَلْ أَخْلَصُوا لِلَّهِ (٤) وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا أُمِرُوا بِهِ مِنْ طَاعَةِ مَنْ يَسْتَحِقُّ التَّقْدِيمَ. وَحَيْثُ حَصَلَ (٥) لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ هَذِهِ الْبَلِيَّةُ، وَجَبَ عَلَى كُلِّ أَحَدٍ النَّظَرُ فِي الْحَقِّ وَاعْتِمَادُ الْإِنْصَافِ، وَأَنْ يُقِرَّ الْحَقَّ مُسْتَقَرَّهُ (٦) وَلَا يَظْلِمُ مُسْتَحِقَّهُ، فَقَدْ قَالَ تَعَالَى (٧) : {أَلَا لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ} ، [سُورَةُ هُودٍ: ١٨] . وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ مَذْهَبُ الْإِمَامِيَّةِ وَاجِبُ الِاتِّبَاعِ لِوُجُوهٍ (٨) ". هَذَا لَفَظَهُ.

(١) ك: فَبَايَعَهُمْ. (٢) لَهُ: سَاقِطَةٌ مِنْ (ن) ، (م) ، (أ) . (٣) ك: فِي الْأَصْلِ (يُؤَاخِذْهُمْ) . (٤) ك: لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى. (٥) ك: حَصَلَتْ. (٦) ك: مَقَرَّهُ. (٧) ك: فَقَدْ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى. (٨) ن، م: لِوُجُوهٍ أَرْبَعَةٍ قَدْ تَقَدَّمَ ذِكْرُهَا، وَهُوَ خَطَأٌ.