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1874.] J. O’Kinealy —History and Doctrines of the Wahhabis. 
or the sword and spear. They knew of no proofs to the contrary and saw 
no clearer way. The greater number of the Musalmans referred to by our 
opponents, neglected the advice of those who followed the Sunnat. As a rule 
they had totally forgotten the Sunnat, and even the few who were enlightened 
turned away from it before it could make any impression on their heart. The 
nobles persistently prohibited the multitude from hearing it, and the mo- 
narchs tortured those in whose heart its faintest trace could be found, except 
the few whom the Lord protected. Thus Mu’awiyah and his friends opposed 
and fought against the Commander of the Faithful, ’Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib. They 
were wrong and continued so to their deaths. Yet, though they were in 
error, as we clearly learn from the Ahl-ul-bait, that none of our pious ances¬ 
tors considered them Kafirs according to Ijma’, or even very wicked ; on the 
contrary they judged them worthy the reward of warriors in the cause of 
religion. So when we find a man orthodox in matters of faith, pure, pious, 
clean of heart, and seeking to benefit his sect by devoting his time to learn¬ 
ing the useful sciences, or writing about them, we do not call him a Kafir, 
though he may hold wrong opinions on these or other points. This was the 
position of Ibn Hajar ul Haisanii, yet we consider his writing as well order¬ 
ed, do not deny his knowledge for a single instant, but on the contrary take 
great care of some of his books, such as the Sliarh ul-Arba’in, the Alzawajir, 
&c., believe what he has copied, and though in error in one point, he is one 
of the Divines of Islam with whom we hold. Any person of experience and 
wisdom, who is just and free from any leaning towards hard-heartedness or 
oppression, looks more to what is said than who says it. Again, the customs 
and habits of people in authority are obligatory. It matters not whether 
they are just, or unjust, exact imitations of those of whom God has said, 
“We found our fathers among them following their religion, and we, com¬ 
ing: after them, imitate them in their customs and vices,” who form a deci- 
sion of what is right from the individual and not of the individual from his 
acts. With these last we seek no conversation ; but we use the sword until 
they are truly and sincerely converted. 
And, praised be the Lord, the army of the true believers in the Unity 
of God was victorious, its standards were unfurled under most auspicious 
circumstances, and “ soon shall those in darkness see what turn their affairs 
shall take.” Moreover, we were the more numerous, and God has said “ our 
armies shall be greater in number,” and so we were bound to assist the 
faithful and reward the religious. 
As regards Bid’at, our doctrine is that Bid’at is whatever has been in¬ 
troduced after the third generation from Muhammad and is absolutely sinful. 
This is contrary to the doctrines of those who divide it into good and bad, 
and those who divide it into five kinds, unless as appears probable they mean 
to consider as “ good” the acts of the pious departed which were optional, 
