Wrestling of the philosophers, authored by: Abu al-Fath Abdul Karim al-Shahristani

The fame of al-Shahrastani as a historian of sects and religions was greater than his fame as a speaker, as his book "Al-Milal wa al-Nihal" remained for centuries the most important ancient reference on Muslim sects, as well as on other religions known to Muslims at that time. Al-Shahrastani's critical tendency was a result of his comprehensive knowledge, which combined his understanding of sciences, religions, philosophies, and schools of thought of various kinds. The clearest evidence of this is his book "Al-Milal wa al-Nihal," which prompted Ibn Taymiyah to say about him: "He is the most comprehensive of the many books written on sects and the best in transmission." Al-Zurqani also said about him: "He was an imam in the science of Kalam, the religions of nations, and the schools of philosophers." Although al-Shahrastani followed al-Ghazali's approach in opposing philosophers and criticizing many of their opinions, he did not go beyond criticism to the point of declaring them infidels as al-Ghazali did. It suffices to say that he was more accurate and objective in exposing the fallacies of philosophers in their expressions and in their errors regarding the terms they used. The truth is that leniency in issuing judgments of disbelief against individual Muslims or groups without referring these judgments to certain sources in Sharia is a form of injustice, not only against those whom these judgments concern but also against Islamic Sharia itself. Although such a trend—especially in the present era—may appear to be motivated by religious zeal and a desire to defend Islam, in reality and in its consequences, it harms Islam and its people, as it spreads fitna (sedition) and division among Muslims, which leads to undesirable outcomes.