For this reason, Allah Most High censures the polytheists for both kinds of violation in several places in His Book, including Surahs al-Anʿām and al-Aʿrāf. He censures them for prohibiting foods, clothing, and other things, and for introducing acts of worship that Allah Most High has not prescribed.

The hadith states:

“The religion most beloved to Allah is the easy way of upright monotheism.”

Thus, we worship Him alone by doing what He loves, and seek help in doing so through what He has made lawful. As Allah Most High says:

“O messengers, eat of the wholesome things and do righteous deeds. Indeed, I know what you do.”

This is the religion upon which Allah created His creatures, and it is beloved to everyone. It entails enjoining what is right, which hearts love; forbidding what is wrong, which they detest; permitting wholesome, beneficial things; and prohibiting foul, harmful things.

[Rational proofs show that every child is born upon the natural disposition]

The Prophet’s statement, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that

“Every child is born upon the natural disposition,”

is one whose truth is established by rational proofs, just as the truthful and trustworthy Prophet reported. It also becomes clear that anyone who contradicts the meaning of this hadith is mistaken in doing so.

This can be explained in several ways:

(The first argument)

It may be said: There is no doubt that a person may at times acquire