and feeling, volition, and other things. Whoever follows these without authorization from Allah and His Messenger is among those who follow their desires without guidance from Allah. Indeed, he may go so far as to take his own desire as his god.

Following desires in matters of religion is more serious than following desires in matters of appetite. The former is the condition of those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the polytheists, as Allah Most High says:

“But if they do not respond to you, then know that they only follow their own desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his own desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” [Sūrat al-Qasas, 50]

And He Most High says: “He presents to you an example drawn from yourselves: do you have, among those whom your right hands possess…”—continuing the verse up to His words:

“Rather, those who do wrong follow their own desires without knowledge.” [Sūrat al-Rūm, 28–29]

And He Most High says: “He has already explained to you what He has forbidden you, except what