the Shari'a that Imam 'Ali (May God be pleased with him) followed, and his ascetic, self-denying way. Since due to this ruling they joined the opposing side, and Imam 'Ali's brother 'Aqil, and 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, who was known as Hibr al-Umma, even, joined it for a time, the true Sunnis took as their rule, "Closing the gate of dissension is one the beauties of the Shari'a," and declaring, "God did not allow us to spill their blood, so as thanks for His great favour we shall hold our tongues" [^80] considered it appropriate not to put too much emphasis on the matter. They argued that even if some of them deserved criticism, some of the leading Companions and members of the Prophet's (UWBP) family who were on the opposing side, and some of the ten promised paradise like Talha and Zubayr (May God be pleased with them) would be objected to and vilified, causing enmity, so they favoured closing that door. In fact, Sa'd al-Dīn al-Taftazani, one of the greatest authorities of the Sunnis and of the science of kalām, permitted the execration of Yazid and Walid, and the pronouncement of their unbelief, In response to this, other Sunni scholars such as Sayyid Sharif al-Jurjani, said: "For sure Yazid and Walid were iniquitous, cruel sinners, but it is not known whether or not they died without believing. And because it is not known with any certainty, since there is no definite record or incontrovertible evidence, there is a possibility that they repented and died in a state of belief. In which case, it is not permissible for particular persons such as them to be cursed. It may be permissible to curse in a general sort of way, saying 'May God curse the wrongdoers and the dissemblers.' Otherwise it is harmful and unnecessary."
[^80]:al-Sha'rānī, al-Yawāqīt wa'l-Jawāhīr, ii, 69; al-Bājūrī, Sharḥ Jawharat al-Tawḥīd, 334. [Tr.]
The reasons I have been unable to reply at length to your scholarly and detailed letter, are my serious illness and pressing occupations. I have therefore only been able to write this much hastily.
The Enduring One, He is the Enduring One!
S a i d N u r s i ∗∗∗