had recognized the truth but did not follow it, whereas the Christians worshipped Allah without sound knowledge. For this reason it used to be said: “Seek refuge with Allah from the temptation posed by the depraved scholar and the ignorant worshiper, for the trial that comes from either of them is a trial for everyone susceptible to temptation.”

The Exalted also said: “So when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance shall neither go astray nor suffer misery” ⦗20:123⦘. Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked: “Allah has guaranteed that whoever recites the Quran and acts upon what it contains will not go astray in this world nor be wretched in the Hereafter,” and he then recited this verse.

Likewise, His—glorious is He—statement: “Alif Lām Mīm. This is the Book in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the God-fearing: those who believe in the unseen, establish the prayer, and spend out of what We have provided them; those who believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you, and who are certain of the Hereafter. It is they who are upon guidance from their Lord, and they…"