But "Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama`a...

But "Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama`a,"[^250] because of the intensity of their animosity towards Ali ibn Abu Talib and (peace be upon them), deliberately contradicted the latter in everything, so much so that their motto was to oppose Ali and his Shi`as in every aspect, even if that meant contradicting a Sunnah which they themselves regard as authentic.[^251] Since Imam Ali was famous for reciting the basmala audibly even while reciting the inaudible prayers in order to revive the Prophet's Sunnah, a number of the sahaba expressed their view that it is makrooh to recite it in the prayers.

So is the case with regard to holding the hands versus placing them on the sides, the supplication during the qunoot, in addition to other issues relevant to the daily prayers. Anas ibn Malik, therefore, used to weep and complain thus: "By Allah!

I hardly find anything being done anymore which the Messenger of Allah used to do." He was asked, "What about the prayers?" He said, "You have altered it, too."[^252] What is strange is that "Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama`a" remain silent about such differences: Their four sects differ with one another, yet they do not find anything…