the freedman of Abū Hudhayfa, together with some of their companions, withdrew into religious seclusion. They stayed in their homes, kept away from women, wore sackcloth, and forbade themselves good food and clothing, except what the wandering ascetics among the Children of Israel ate and wore. They contemplated having themselves castrated and resolved to spend their nights in prayer and their days fasting. Then this verse was revealed. The other Quranic commentators likewise related accounts conveying a similar meaning.

Allah has condemned those who neglected prayer and followed their desires. He has condemned those who follow their desires and those who want you to go far astray and wish the believers to go far astray. He has also condemned those who pursued the luxuries they had been given, and those who enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat.

Most of those who neglected prayer and followed their desires are wine-drinkers, as Allah Most High said:

“Satan only seeks to stir up enmity and hatred among you through wine and gambling, and to turn you away from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.”

Thus, they combined forbidden pleasure with abandoning the remembrance of Allah and neglecting prayer. The same applies to others who follow their desires.

Then He, glorified be He, forbade declaring unlawful the good things He has made lawful, and transgressing in their enjoyment—that is, exceeding the bounds. Transgression in asceticism and worship has also been explained as declaring lawful things forbidden and engaging in acts of worship that harm them, thereby overstepping