and the Last Day, asserting that the matter is otherwise, has contradicted and opposed him, whether he believes this in his heart or states it with his tongue.

This is the case with every religious innovation that conflicts with the Quran and Sunnah. Such people suffer from compound ignorance: their deeds are like a mirage on a level plain.

Whoever does not understand what the Messenger has reported and recognize it in his heart suffers from simple ignorance. Such people dwell in darkness.

The root of compound ignorance is simple ignorance. When the heart is devoid of knowledge of the truth, belief in it, and acceptance of it as true, it is susceptible to believing and accepting its opposite. This is especially so concerning divine matters, which are the ultimate objects of human pursuit and the finest, loftiest, noblest, and most exalted fields of knowledge. People of eminence yearn for this knowledge with the deepest longing and eagerly look toward it. Those rightly guided in these matters are leaders of guidance, such as Abraham, Allah’s intimate friend, and his household. Those who speak falsely concerning them are leaders of misguidance, such as Pharaoh and his people.

Allah, Most High, said concerning the former:

“We made them leaders who guided by Our command, and inspired them to do good deeds, establish prayer, and give the obligatory alms; and they worshipped Us.”
[Al-Anbiyā’: 73]

And Allah, Most High, said concerning the latter:

“We made them leaders who call to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not be helped.”
[Al-Qasas: 41]