Is the ruling on the status of rebels (*Bughat*) who are not people of innovation (*Ahl al-Bid'ah*)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fighting Rebellious Groups
Primary text
Rebels (*Bughat*) who do not adhere to religious innovation are not considered transgressors (*Fasiqin*). Their actions stem from an error in their legal interpretation (*Ta'wil*). The Imam and the people of justice are correct in fighting them, placing them in the same category as jurists (*Fuqaha*) who err in legal rulings. Consequently, if any of these rebels are proven to be otherwise upright, their testimony is accepted. This is the established position of Al-Shafi'i. There is no known disagreement regarding the acceptance of their testimony.