by Allāh, besides whom there is no deity, if it were not for the fact that many people are deceived by everything that is printed and published by anyone—mistaking a mirage for water, and bones for meat, when in reality it is as was said long ago: a bone on a platter—I would not have written a single line in response to this and others like him, such as al-Saqqāf, whose misfortunes will be explained, and others like him who have no prior experience in this knowledge or others, and who have not adhered to the saying of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "He is not from us... who does not recognize the rights of our scholar," nor do they accept the advice of scholars. The esteemed scholar al-Shāṭibī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said in his book "al-Iʿtiṣām"—while discussing the signs of the people of whims and innovations (3/99): "And the scholar (note, he did not say: student of knowledge!) if not attested by scholars, remains in the original state of lack of knowledge until others testify for him, and he knows from himself what they testified for him, otherwise he is certain of his lack of knowledge or in doubt. Choosing to proceed in these two states rather than refrain is only following whims, as he should have sought counsel from others, and he did not, and he should not advance unless others advance him, and he did not." This is the advice of Imām al-Shāṭibī to the (scholar) who is capable of presenting some knowledge to the people, advising him not to advance until the scholars testify for him, fearing that he might be among the people of whims. So what would he advise, one wonders, if he saw some of those attached to this knowledge in our time?! Undoubtedly, he would say to him: "This is not your nest, so withdraw," so is there anyone who will take heed?! And by Allāh, I fear for some of these people that they may be encompassed by the saying of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): "The intellects of the people of that time will be removed, and they will be replaced by insignificant people, most of whom think they are upon something, but they are upon nothing." (1) And Allāh's help is sought. 12- 925- (Have mercy on those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy on you). I say: This ḥadīth, despite its authenticity as mentioned earlier and the acceptance of the ummah of it..