arises in knowledge in the form of going astray and leading others astray, and what arises in the will in the form of following desires. He likewise brought the two together in His saying:

“They follow nothing but conjecture and what their souls desire, though guidance has already come to them from their Lord.”
[Al-Najm: 23]

He first said:

“And among the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge.”
[Al-Hajj: 3]

Anyone who disputes about Allah without guidance or an illuminating Book also disputes without knowledge. To negate knowledge is to negate anything that constitutes knowledge, however it is acquired. This therefore rules out his disputing on the basis of guidance or an illuminating Book. Yet this is the condition of the misguided follower of someone who leads him astray, so no detailed explanation was needed. He thus explained that such a person disputes without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil. It has been decreed concerning that devil that he will lead astray whoever takes him as an ally and guide him to the punishment of the Blazing Fire.

This is the condition of someone who follows the leaders of misguidance among the People of the Book and the adherents of religious innovations. They dispute about Allah without knowledge and follow devils among the jinn and humankind who lead them astray.

He then mentioned the condition of the leader whom others follow, who turns away arrogantly, as He said:

“And when Our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly, as though he had not heard them.”
[Luqmān: 7]

And He said:

“He neither believed nor prayed * But denied and turned away * Then went to his family, strutting arrogantly.”
[Al-Qiyāmah: 31–33]

This type disputes in order to lead others astray from Allah’s path. His disputation, too, is without knowledge, but his condition was described in detail: He explained that he does not dispute on the basis of guidance, such as a believer’s faith, nor on the basis of a Book