those who have incurred wrath, who follow their own desires, nor among those who have gone astray (1) in ignorance, as these fabricators have classified them into the misguided and the wayward. Rather, they possessed perfect knowledge and perfect intent. For if that were not so (2), it would necessarily follow that this ummah was not the best of nations and (3) that they were not the best of this ummah—both conclusions being contrary to the Book and the Sunnah.

Rational reflection (4) also demonstrates this. Whoever reflects upon the ummah of Muhammad [may Allah bless him and grant him peace] (5), and considers the condition of the Jews, Christians, Sabians (6), Magians, and polytheists, will see the superiority of this ummah over all other nations in beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds—to an extent that cannot be fully set out here.

The Companions attained the highest degree of perfection in this regard within the ummah, as demonstrated by the Book, the Sunnah, consensus, and rational reflection. Hence, there is not a single eminent figure of this ummah who does not acknowledge the superiority of the Companions over himself and his peers, while those who dispute this, such as the Rāfidah, are [among the most ignorant] (7) of people.

Accordingly, no Rāfidī is to be found among the leading jurists to whom people turn, nor among the leading hadith scholars, [nor among the leading exemplars of] (8) asceticism and worship, nor among the armies divinely aided—