“You will surely follow the ways of those who came before you.”

Thus, many who profess Islam have turned aside, casting the Quran behind their backs and following what the devils recite. They neither revere the Quran’s commands and prohibitions, nor ally themselves with those whom it commands them to support, nor oppose those whom it commands them to oppose. Instead, they revere anyone who performs extraordinary feats. Some know that such things come from devils, yet glorify them because of their own desires and prefer them to the way of the Quran. These are unbelievers, concerning whom Allah Most High says:

“Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in superstition and false objects of worship?”

And so on.

He said:

Among the lessons in His words, “It is from your own self,” is that a servant should not become complacent about himself or occupy himself with blaming and disparaging others. Rather, he should ask Allah to help him obey Him. This is why the supplication in al-Fātihah is the most beneficial and greatest supplication. He needs guidance at every moment, and this encompasses more kinds of needs than can be counted.

This is made clear by the fact that Allah, glorified be He, has not related any account to us in the Quran except for us to learn from it. We can only draw such lessons by comparing later cases with earlier ones. Were it not that our souls contain what was in the souls of those who denied the messengers, we would have no need to learn from people whom we never resemble. Rather, the matter is as Allah Most High says:

“Nothing is said to you except what was said to the messengers before you.”

And His words:

“Did they bequeath this to one another?”

And His words:

“Their hearts are alike.”

For this reason,