Some people (of Sunnites) may claim that the verses revealed...

Some people (of Sunnites) may claim that the verses revealed in regard of the Sahabah and their conditions were abrogated! Further, they say that if they were on this state during the lifetime of the Prophet (may God’s peace and benediction be upon him and his Progeny), they afterwards have been quite innocent and immaculate, 15 and anyone claiming the opposite is verily a zindiq (blasphemous) whose faith is corrupt.

16 In conclusion of speech I say: I am ready to accept, with delight and pleasure, all the criticism launched against me. May Allah’s mercy be upon Ibn Hazm, who said: “Whoever ponders and meditates, training his self to be pacified at realities, though they be painful for it at first shock, his rejoicing at being censured by people shall be much more than that rejoice caused by praising him. May Allah guide us all toward the straightforward path and bestow upon us His grace and pleasure.

He is surely the Benevolent the Merciful. An Indispensable Explanation Before finishing with preparing the second edition of this book, I find myself obliged to publish this explanatory statement to give replies for two accurate comments. One given by the honourable scholar Dr.

Taha Husayn after reading the first edition of this book twice, as he expressed – may God preserve him – in the interesting chapter he wrote about my book, in which he applauded it and its author, for which I present my gratitude and sincere praise. I have sought God’s guidance to make of this chapter the introduction to this edition.

Following is the first comment that was given by the Doctor and some scholars: While citing to people the story of hadith, exposing what happened to it at the hands of the narrators, and that which befell it out of the fabrication of fabricators and others, beside alike things I stated in my book, I quote again some traditions as proofs for whatever I intend to confirm or negate, or other than this! which seems to be only paradox.

This comment is worthy of regard, should I believe in the veracity of the traditions I am quoting, assuring their being uttered, with their words and denotations, by the Prophet (S)! For warding off this suspicion I say: The traditions I am citing through my discussion as evidences supporting my views in the book, are only mentioned for convincing those who can never be persuaded but only by such traditions, since they consider them as intuitions in which they firmly believe.