Rather, examining the evidence shows that the more arrogantly a person refuses to worship Allah, the more he associates partners with Him. For the more arrogantly he refuses to worship Allah, the greater his dependence upon and need for the beloved object of his desire—the heart’s primary object of pursuit. He thus participates in such association through whatever of these things has enslaved him.

The heart can never become independent of all created beings unless Allah is its Master: it worships none but Him, seeks help from none but Him, relies upon none but Him, rejoices only in what He loves and approves, and dislikes only what the Lord hates and dislikes. It allies itself only with those whom Allah befriends and opposes only those whom Allah opposes. It loves only for Allah’s sake, hates anything only for Allah’s sake, gives only for Allah’s sake, and withholds only for Allah’s sake. The more sincerely a person devotes his religion to Allah alone, the more complete his servitude and independence of created beings become. Through complete servitude to Allah, he is freed from arrogance and associating partners with Him.

Associating partners with Allah predominates among Christians, while arrogance predominates among Jews. Allah Most High says concerning Christians:

“They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and also the Messiah, the son of Mary, although they were commanded only to worship one God. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.”

He says concerning Jews:

“Is it that whenever a messenger came to you with what your souls did not desire, you became arrogant? Some you denied, and others you killed.”

Allah Most High also says:

“I will turn away from My signs those who behave arrogantly on earth without right. And even if they see