what they loved and desired without knowledge, never considering whether it would ultimately benefit or harm them. Hence Allah said:

“Know that they only follow their own desires.”

Then He said:

“And who is more astray than one who follows his own desires without guidance from Allah?”

Following one’s desires has varying degrees. Among those who do so are the polytheists and those who worship, besides Allah, whatever appeals to them, without knowledge or proof. As Allah said:

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god?”

That is, he takes as the god he worships whichever deity he desires. Allah did not say that his desire itself is his god. Not everyone who desires something worships it, for desire takes different forms. Rather, the meaning is that he makes whatever he desires the object of his worship, so that his worship follows his own desires concerning worship. For he has neither worshipped what Allah loves to be worshipped nor performed the worship he was commanded to perform.

Such is the condition of the people of religious innovation: they have worshipped other than Allah and devised forms of worship through which they claim to worship Allah. They have merely followed their own desires. Each follows his own inclinations, inner experiences, feelings, and desires, without knowledge, guidance, or an illuminating Book. Had he followed knowledge and the illuminating Book, he would have worshipped none but Allah, in the manner He willed, not through newly introduced practices and innovations.