from him—peace and blessings be upon him. The fact that his three teachers held a different view did not keep him from acting upon it; and that is precisely the stance every Muslim is required to take, as testified by the four Imams and others, as mentioned earlier.

In short, I ask that no rigid adherent hasten to disparage the orientation of this book or to forfeit the benefit of the Prophetic practices it contains on the pretext that they contravene his school of law. Rather, let him recall the statements we have already cited from the Imams on the obligation to follow the Sunnah and to abandon any of their own opinions that conflict with it. He should realize that criticizing this approach is, in reality, criticism of the very Imam he follows—whoever that may be—for we have adopted this methodology from them, as has been explained. Anyone who refuses to be guided by them in this regard places himself in grave peril, for such refusal necessarily entails turning away from the Sunnah, even though we have been commanded, when disagreements arise, to return to it and rely upon it. The Most High says: “But no—by your Lord—they will not truly believe until they make you the judge in their disputes, then find within themselves no discomfort regarding what you have decided and submit with full submission” (4:65).

I ask Allah, exalted is He, to make us among those of whom He said: “The only statement of the believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger so that he may judge between them, is that they say, ‘We hear and we obey.’ Those are the successful. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah, and is mindful of Him—such people are the winners” (24:51–52).

Damascus / 13 Jumada al-Akhirah 1370 AH