so they likened him to a soothsayer who reports something received from a satanic spirit that descends to him with it, mixing a hundred lies with it.

They saw him replacing the corrupt beliefs and desires within people’s souls with the sound beliefs and desires upon which Allah created souls. So they likened him to a sorcerer who manipulates people’s perceptions and actions until they believe things to be other than they really are, love what they previously hated, and hate what they previously loved.

They saw that he had brought things contrary to their corrupt customs, things for which they censured him. So they likened him to a madman who departs from what reason recognizes and does things for which he is censured.