Yasir and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari as well as many other...

Yasir and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari as well as many other incidents are all examples of the strife and disputation that took place. Differing views concerning certain of the Prophet's cannot therefore serve as justification for cursing any Muslim or declaring him an unbeliever nor can they be allowed to damage the unity of all Muslims. In any event the Sunnis themselves do not in practice regard all the and Followers as worthy of respect.

After all those who killed 'Uthman were either from the or from the Followers and Khalid b. al-Walid killed Malik b. Nuwayrah who was a Companion. Among the there were exalted personages who attained the utmost degree of faith piety and devotion over whose hearts and souls God Almighty ruled; their whole beings resonated with purity and truthfulness.

However there were others in the corners of whose spirit still lurked the traces of Jahili customs and modes of thought; they remained ( 80 ) attached to the customs of the past. There were even elements whose acceptance of Islam after the conquest of Makkah was based on the calculation of personal interest.

However the powerful influence and awe inspiring presence of the Prophet forced them to conceal their inner desires and inclinations and it was only after his death that they were able to return to the habits and customs of the Jahiliyyah.

To approve undiscriminatingly the mode of conduct of all the to deny that any of them was guilty of evil deeds and to assert that they were without exception persons of righteousness is incompatible with the Sunnah of the Messenger of God peace and blessings be upon him and his family. One cannot therefore seek salvation among the Migrants and the Helpers or claim that he may gain eternal felicity by means of attachment to either of these groups.

The attainment of that goal depends on the maintenance of certain conditions until one departs through death's gate. Sunni scholars nonetheless maintain that all the of the Prophet were entitled to exercize independent judgement (ijtihad) and are thus to be excused for whatever errors they may have committed or even rewarded for them. Whatever offense they may have committed is thus justified.

The triumph of this mode of thought made it impossible for any objection to be raised and emboldened certain egoistic and ambitious people to commit any crime they desired - people like Mu'awiyah 'Amr b. al-'As Khalid b. al-Walid al-Mughirah Sa'id al-'As and Busr b. Abi Artat.