one to love—is what has enabled the hypocrites among them to use this as a means of committing major sins. Perhaps this innovation of theirs is graver than committing a major sin while acknowledging its enormity and fearing Allah’s punishment. For the latter is, at worst, a sinful believer who has combined an evil deed with a good one. Those others, however, are misguided innovators, for they have made what Allah forbade into something He commanded. Their evil deeds have been made attractive to them, so that they see them as good. Through people like them, those others are led astray until they no longer condemn wrongdoing, believing that it can constitute worship of Allah.

Whoever declares something beloved to Allah when Allah has not commanded that it be loved has instituted a religion for which Allah has given no permission. This is the beginning of associating partners with Him, as the Most High says:

“Yet among people are those who take others besides Allah as equals to Him, loving them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 165]

The soul’s love of a beautiful form or voice can be exceedingly strong. If this is made into a religious practice and described as being for Allah’s sake, its objects become like the rivals and false gods loved out of religious devotion and worship.

As the Most High says:

“Because of their disbelief, their hearts were steeped in love of the calf.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 93]

And the Most High relates their words:

“Go on, and remain steadfast in devotion to your gods.”
[Surah Sād 6]

This is unlike someone who loves forbidden things while believing them to be forbidden. Someone who loves wine, singing, a prostitute, or an effeminate man, while believing that Allah dislikes and detests this, does not love it without reservation. Rather, his reason and faith detest and dislike this conduct, but his desires have overcome him. Allah may show such a person mercy through repentance, if the aversion and dislike arising from his faith grow strong enough to overcome his desires; through good deeds that erase his sins; through afflictions that expiate them; or through other means.