and the like. How, then, can someone who believes in Allah and His Messenger turn away from what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed to a religious innovation for which Allah has granted no authority, resembling the religion of the polytheists and Christians?

If someone claims that his need was fulfilled through such practices, that his shaykh was made to appear before him, or something similar, those who worship celestial bodies and idols, and other polytheists, experience the same things. This has been abundantly reported of polytheists both past and present. Were it not for this, idols and the like would not have been worshipped. Allah’s intimate friend, peace be upon him, said:

“And keep me and my sons from worshipping idols.”

“My Lord, they have indeed led many people astray.”

It is said that polytheism first appeared in the land of Mecca after Abraham, Allah’s intimate friend, through ʿAmr ibn Luhayy al-Khuzāʿī, whom the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, saw dragging his intestines in the Fire. He was the first to institute the practice of setting consecrated animals loose and to alter the religion of Abraham. They relate that he travelled to Greater Syria and found idols there in al-Balqāʾ. The people claimed that these helped them secure benefits and ward off harm, so he brought them to Mecca and introduced polytheism and idol worship among the Arabs.

As for the things Allah and His Messenger have forbidden—polytheism, sorcery, killing, unlawful sexual intercourse, false testimony, drinking wine, and other prohibited acts—the soul may find in them something it regards as a benefit or as protection from harm. Were it not for that, souls would not venture upon forbidden acts, in which there is no good whatsoever. Souls are led into forbidden acts only by ignorance