Then (fear) Allah, in your own self; for, by Allah, you are not being shown anything as if you
are blind or being apprised of anything as if you are ignorant.
The ways are clear while the banners of faith are fixed. You should know that among the
creatures of Allah, the most distinguished person before Allah is the just Imam who has been
guided (by Allah) and guides others.
So, he stands by the recognised ways of the Prophet's behaviour and destroys unrecognised
innovations. The (Prophet's) ways are clear and they have signs, while innovations are also
clear and they too have signs. Certainly, the worst man before Allah is the oppressive Imam
who has gone astray and through whom others go astray.
He destroys the the accepted sunnah and revives abandoned innovations. I heard the
Messenger of Allah saying: "On the Day of Judgement the oppressive Imam will be brought
without anyone to support him or anyone to advance excuses on his behalf, and then he will
be thrown into Hell where he will rotate as the hand-mill rotates, then (eventually) he will be
confined to its hollow."
I swear to you by Allah that you should not be that Imam of the people who will be killed
because it has been said that, "An Imam of this people will be killed after which killing and
fighting will be made open for them till the Day of Judgement, and he will confuse their
matters and spread troubles over them.
