which he is obliged to follow—is precisely the blameworthy imitator. This is the condition of the Jews and Christians, and indeed of the adherents of innovation and desires within this community who have followed their religious teachers and leaders in falsehood. As Allah Most High says:

“On the Day their faces are turned about in the Fire, they will say, ‘Oh, how we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!’”

“And they will say, ‘Our Lord, we obeyed our masters and our leaders, and they led us astray from the path.’”

“‘Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a mighty curse.’”

Allah Most High also says:

“And on the Day the wrongdoer bites his hands, he will say, ‘Oh, how I wish I had taken a path with the Messenger!’”

“‘Woe to me! I wish I had not taken so-and-so as a close friend!’”

Up to His words: “a deserter.”

Allah Most High also says:

“When those who were followed disown those who followed them, and they see the punishment, and all ties between them are severed.”

Up to His words: “And they will never leave the Fire.”

Allah Most High also says:

“And when they dispute in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were arrogant, ‘We were your followers, so can you relieve us of any portion of the Fire?’”

Up to His words: “Indeed, Allah has judged between His servants.”

These and similar passages make clear that whoever obeys a created being in disobedience to Allah will have a share of this condemnation and punishment.

A person who obeys a created being in disobedience to Allah and His Messenger either follows conjecture or follows his own desires; many follow both. This is the condition of everyone who disobeys the Messenger of Allah: the polytheists; the People of the Book, namely the Jews and Christians; and the people of innovation and wickedness within this community. As Allah Most High says: