divided their religion and became sects, each faction rejoicing in what it has. {32}” [al-Rūm 30–32]

These Sabians who altered their religion, together with those among the Jews, Christians, and other polytheists who altered theirs, are among those who “divided their religion and became sects, each faction rejoicing in what it has.” They are among those who differed after having been one community, as Allah Most High says:

“Mankind was one community; then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of good tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between people concerning their differences. Yet none differed over it except those who had been given it, after clear proofs had come to them, out of jealous animosity among themselves.” [al-Baqarah 213]

Thus, disagreement and division over the fundamentals of religion are far greater among these Sabian philosophers and others than among the Jews and Christians. The People of the Book are closer to guidance than the Sabians, so their religious innovators are less deviant than those among the Sabians. Division and disagreement are more widespread among the Sabians. Hence, idol worship, star worship, and polytheism occur among them to an extent not found among the people of the two Scriptures. Although polytheism has indeed appeared among the latter, it is greater among the former.

These people and others like them have changed and corrupted what Allah Most High created His servants to embrace by nature and sent His messengers to convey. They have come to exhibit arrogance, a desire for supremacy, and claims to mastery in the sciences