And whoever worships Allah without knowledge, going instead to extremes and associating partners with Him, resembles the Christians, concerning whom Allah said:

“O People of the Scripture, do not go to extremes in your religion beyond the truth, and do not follow the desires of a people who went astray before, led many astray, and strayed from the right way.”

The first belongs to those who err, and the second to those who go astray. For error consists in following one’s desires, while misguidance is the absence of guidance. Allah Most High said:

“And recite to them the account of the one to whom We gave Our signs, but who cast them off. Satan then pursued him, and he became one of those who erred.”

“And had We willed, We could have raised him through them, but he clung to the earth and followed his own desires. His likeness is that of a dog: if you chase it, it pants; and if you leave it alone, it pants. Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our signs. So relate these accounts, that they may reflect.”

Allah Most High also said:

“I will turn away from My signs those who are unjustly arrogant on earth. Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it. If they see the way of sound guidance, they will not take it as their way; but if they see the way of error, they will take it as their way. That is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.”

Whoever combines misguidance and error bears a resemblance to both groups. We ask Allah to guide us and all our brothers to the path of those He has blessed—the prophets, those steadfast in truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!