about Allah without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil, who is decreed to lead astray whoever takes him as an ally. This is the condition of one who follows someone who misleads him.

Another category disputes about Allah without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating Book, turning away arrogantly to lead others astray from Allah’s path. This is the condition of the arrogant leader who has strayed from Allah’s path.

Then He mentioned the condition of one who worships Allah on an edge. This is the condition of someone who follows his own desires: if he obtains what he desires in this world, he worships Allah; but if he encounters something that tests him in his worldly life, he abandons his religion. Such a person’s will and intention are diseased. This is the condition of those given to passions and whims.

For this reason, Allah mentioned this in connection with worship, whose foundation is intention and will. As for the first two categories, theirs is the condition of one who goes astray and one who leads others astray. This is a disease of knowledge and understanding—the condition of those given to doubts, unsound reasoning, and argument based on falsehood.

For He, Most High, loves keen discernment when doubts arise and sound reason when desires arise. The servant must both recognize the truth and seek it, as He says:

“Guide us to the straight path * The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned Your anger or of those who are astray.”
[Al-Fātihah: 6–7]

Whoever does not recognize the truth is astray, while whoever knows it but does not follow it incurs Allah’s anger.

Likewise, goodness begins with guidance and culminates in mercy and divine pleasure. Thus He, glorified be He, mentioned what