by Allah to His servant, together with His guidance, the servant will fall into some of what Iblīs and Pharaoh fell into, as far as he is able.

One of those endowed with insight said:

“There is no soul that does not contain what Pharaoh’s soul contained. But Pharaoh had the power, so he revealed it; others lacked the power, so they concealed it.”

The explanation is this: when a person reflects, comes to know himself and others, and hears accounts of them, he sees that each wishes to be obeyed and to rise above others as far as his power allows. The soul is filled with a love of supremacy and leadership to the extent possible. Thus, you find a person befriending those who agree with his desires and opposing those who disagree with them.

What he worships is nothing other than what he desires and wants. Allah Most High says:

“Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god? Would you then be a guardian over him?”

In this respect, he regards people just as the unbelieving, polytheistic kings among the Turks and others regard them. They say, “Yā rubā'ī,” meaning “friend and enemy.” Whoever agrees with their desires is an ally, even if he is an unbeliever and a polytheist. Whoever does not agree with their desires is an enemy, even if he is among the God-fearing friends of Allah. This was precisely Pharaoh’s condition.

Each of these people wants his commands to be obeyed as far as he is able, but he