do it, and so did it themselves! For people are like flocks of sandgrouse: they are naturally inclined to imitate one another.

Thus, whoever initiates good or evil receives the same reward, or bears the same burden of sin, as those who follow him. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever establishes a good practice shall have its reward and the reward of everyone who acts upon it until the Day of Resurrection, without their rewards being diminished in the least. Whoever establishes an evil practice shall bear its burden of sin and the burden of everyone who acts upon it until the Day of Resurrection, without their burdens being diminished in the least.”

This is because they share the same essential nature, like cases are governed by the same rule, and like is drawn to like.

If these are two powerful incentives, how much more so when two others are added to them? Many who engage in wrongdoing love those who go along with them in what they do, and hate those who do not. This is evident in false religions: each group befriends those who agree with it and shows hostility toward those who oppose it.

Likewise, in worldly affairs and the pursuit of desires, they often choose and favor those who join them. This may be to gain their assistance, as with rulers who wield power by force, highway robbers, and the like. Or it may be to have others join in, as with those who gather to drink wine: they want everyone present to drink.

Or it may be because they dislike someone distinguishing himself from them through goodness. They may envy him for it, not wanting him to rise above them and receive praise instead of them. Or they may not want him to have an argument against them. Or they may fear that he will punish them himself, or through those to whom he reports their conduct; and they do not wish to be beholden to him or exposed to harm from him