(1 These men, who were the most knowledgeable and devout of people, affirmed his superiority, to say nothing of his caliphate. 1) (1), so how can it be said [in view of this] (2) that those who pledged allegiance to him were seekers of worldly gain or ignorant? Rather, this description applies to [the one who impugns] (3) them. Among the various groups of the people (4) of the qiblah, you will find none more ignorant than the Rāfidah or more eager for worldly gain.

I have examined them and found that they attribute no (5 fault to the Companions without being more characterized by it than anyone else, while the Companions 5) (5) are the people furthest (6) removed from it. They are therefore, without doubt, (7) the most mendacious of people—like Musaylima the Liar when he said, “I am a truthful prophet, while Muhammad is a liar” \ 8 29) (8). This is why they describe themselves as believers and the Companions as hypocrites, though they are the most hypocritical of all sects, while the Companions are the strongest in faith among all people.

[Response to the Last Section of the Introduction]

As for his statement (9): “Some of them sought leadership for himself by a right [that he possessed] (10), and the few who had renounced this world and its adornments pledged allegiance to him. In the cause of Allah, they feared no reproach from any critic (11). Rather,”