without guidance from Allah; indeed, matters may escalate until a person actually takes his own desire as a deity. Following caprice in matters of religion is far graver than following it in matters of sensual appetite, for the former was the very condition of the disbelievers among the People of the Book and the polytheists. Allah, Exalted is He, said:

“If they do not respond to you, then know that they are merely following their own desires; and who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah?” ⦗28:50⦘.

He also said:

“He sets forth for you a parable taken from yourselves: do any of those whom your right hands possess share as partners in the provision We have granted you, so that you are equal in it, fearing them as you fear one another? … Yet those who have wronged follow their desires without knowledge.” ⦗30:28–29⦘.

And He said:

“He has clearly detailed for you what He has made unlawful for you—except for what you are driven to by necessity. Yet many people are led astray by their desires without knowledge.” ⦗6:119⦘.

He said as well:

“People of the Book, do not exceed the bounds in your religion beyond the truth, and do not follow the desires of a people who went astray before, led many others astray, and themselves strayed from the straight path.” ⦗5:77⦘.

And He said:

“The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their way. Say: ‘Guidance from Allah is the true guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would have no protector or helper against Allah.” ⦗2:120⦘.

In another verse He said:

“If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would surely be among the wrongdoers.” ⦗2:145⦘.

And He said:

“Judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires.” ⦗5:49⦘.