with what Allah and His Messenger love and hate. This is a form of personal desire; whoever follows it has followed his own desire:

“And who is more astray than one who follows his own desire without guidance from Allah?”

Personal desire is rooted in what the soul loves, and what it hates follows from that. A person is not blamed for the inclination itself—that is, the love and hatred within the soul—for this may be beyond his control. Rather, he is blamed for following it. As Allah the Exalted says:

“O David, We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between people in truth and do not follow desire, lest it lead you astray from the way of Allah.”

And the Exalted says:

“And who is more astray than one who follows his own desire without guidance from Allah?”

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

“Three things bring salvation: fearing Allah in private and in public, moderation in poverty and wealth, and speaking the truth in anger and contentment. And three things bring ruin: avarice that is obeyed, desire that is followed, and a person’s admiration for himself.”

Love and hatred give rise to a felt experience in the presence of what is loved or hated, as well as emotion, desire, and other responses. Whoever follows these without the command of Allah and His Messenger is among those who follow their own desires without guidance from Allah. Indeed, this may go so far that he takes his own desire as his god.

Following desires in matters of religion is more grievous 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 the Exalted 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?”

And the Exalted says:

“He sets forth for you