sexual impurity, nor do they require the removal of impurities, even though the Messiah and the disciples followed the law of the Torah.

Neither the Messiah nor the disciples commanded prayer facing east; it was introduced by Constantine or someone else. Likewise, the cross was introduced by Constantine on his own judgment and on the basis of a dream he claimed to have seen. Neither the Messiah nor the disciples commanded any of this. The religion by which Allah’s servants seek nearness to Him must be one that Allah has commanded and prescribed through His messengers and prophets. Otherwise, all religious innovations are misguidance, and idols came to be worshipped only through religious innovations. Likewise, neither the Messiah nor the disciples commanded the introduction of melodies into prayers.

In short, most of the forms of worship and festivals they observe were neither revealed by Allah in a scripture nor conveyed by a messenger He sent. Yet they have tenderness and mercy, and this is part of Allah’s religion, unlike the former, who have hardness of heart and hatred—things Allah Most High has forbidden. Nevertheless, the former possess discernment and reason, alongside obstinacy and arrogance, whereas the latter are astray from the truth and ignorant of Allah’s path.