The Scholar Abī al-Qāsim Maslamah Ibn al-Qāsim al-Qurṭubī (d. 353 H) mentioned in his book, Radd  ʿalá Ahlil-Bidʿah wa Tabyīn Uṣūl al-Sunnah wa Hifẓ Mā Lā Bud lil- ʿAmal Minhu bi Shāhid al-Ḥadīth wal-Qurʾān,  (pg.24) explaining the path to truth, “There is no doubt that consequent to what I have witnessed from the presence and profusion of bidʿah throughout the land, and the fact that the Scholars have decreased during our time, and in addition to the sects from the People of Innovations having multiplied in light of what the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described from this Ummah being divided into 73 sects, all being in the Hellfire except one, which is what the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Companions were upon and those who follow them, this is the Saved Sect, the Guided Group. And they are the most noble, the leaders and Imāms of the Muslims, in addition to those that follow their guidance. Likewise, those who oppose them are undeniably misguided and astray, and the Hellfire is their abode. Consequently, it is binding upon us to ascertain their methodology and to be upon their ʿAqīdah, guidance and sunnah so that we can follow them in that and be examples for those after us.”

(1) Not to be mistaken for Abū al Qāsim Maslama ibn Ahmad ibn Qasim al Mijrītī.

Ibn Hajr stated about this author, Abū al Qāsim Maslama ibn al Qāsim al Qurtubī, ” This man is of a high position and no one attributed to him at Tashbīh except those who had enmity towards him (Lisān al Mizān, v.8, pg.61). Ibn Hajr also mentioned that Ibn Hazam said about him, “He was one of those who abundantly narrated hadīth and different narrations.” Similarly, as Suyūtī mentioned him as a contemporary of ad Dāraqutnī.