the Book and the Sunnah, as well as statements that accord with them. Those of the latter group often perform acts of worship that Allah has not commanded—indeed, He may have forbidden them—or acts that combine prescribed and prohibited elements. Likewise, people often engage in fighting that contravenes the fighting commanded by Allah, or that combines commanded and prohibited elements.

In each of these three categories—what is commanded, what is prohibited, and what combines the two—the person involved may have a good intention, may be following his own desires, or may combine both. Thus, there are nine categories concerning these matters and the funds spent on them: state revenues, including fay’ (revenues acquired without fighting) and other funds; endowed funds; funds assigned through bequests or vows; and various gifts, charitable donations, and grants. All this involves mingling truth with falsehood and mixing righteous deeds with evil ones.

As for the evil involved, the person responsible may have acted mistakenly or forgetfully and be forgiven, like a qualified scholar who errs in exercising independent judgment, receives a reward, and has his error forgiven. It may be a minor sin expiated by avoiding major sins. It may also be forgiven through repentance or good deeds that erase evil deeds, or expiated through worldly afflictions and the like. Nevertheless, Allah’s religion, for which He revealed His Books and sent His messengers, consists in what was stated above: seeking Allah alone through righteous deeds.

This is Islam in its universal sense, besides which Allah accepts no other religion from anyone. Allah Most High says:

“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Allah bears witness