Is it possible that the people attribute a lie[^2] to the...

Is it possible that the people attribute a lie[^2] to the Prophet of Allah deliberately, and give explanations according to their own opinions? (The reporter) says: And 'Ali, on whom be peace, said: You have asked (a question), so now hearken to its reply.

Verily the people at large possess the truth and the falsehood; the abrogating (nasikh) and the abrogated (mansukh) verses; the special and the general; the definite (muhkam) and the ambiguous (mutashabih); the well remembered (hifz) and the doubtful (wahm).

Even in the lifetime of the Prophet, on whom be peace, people attributed to the Prophet things which were not true, until (matters reached such a stage that) he rose to address the people and said: O people, the number of perjurers against me has increased; now he who speaks a falsehood against me intentionally, let him prepare[^3] for himself a place in Hell. Thereafter falsehoods were told against him after his death.

All traditions have come to you from one of four sources, and there is not a fifth. First, the hypocrite (munafiq) professing the faith, simulating Islam,[^4] who does not regard it as a sin, and does not care if he speaks an untruth against the Prophet intentionally. Now if people knew that he was a mendacious hypocrite, they would neither have accepted anything from him, nor would they have considered him truthful.

But they said: Here is a man who associated with the Messenger of Allah[^5] and who saw and heard him. Therefore they accepted (traditions) from him, not knowing his real attitude. And Allah has given tidings regarding the hypocrites and described them with clarity. For He says, Great is He as a Speaker: “And when thou seest them, their figures please thee; and if they speak thou givest ear unto their speech.

(They are) as though they were blocks of wood in striped cloaks” (Qur'an 63:4) .[^6] They (the hypocrites) then split up in factions after the Prophet, and found favor[^7] with the leaders of destruction and inviters towards the Fire, by means of deception and falsehood and calumny. They assigned them offices,[^8] enjoyed the wealth of the world through them and bore them (hypocrites) upon the necks of people.

For people, generally - save those whom Allah has protected[^9] -follow the kings and the worldly path. This is the first of the four types. (The second is) the man who hears something from the Prophet but does not remember it precisely.