from Allah’s Book altogether and followed sorcery. He said:

“When a messenger from Allah came to them, confirming what they already had, a group of those who had been given the Scripture cast Allah’s Book behind their backs as though they did not know.”

“And they followed what the devils recited during the reign of Solomon.”

Up to His words:

“They certainly knew that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter. Wretched indeed was that for which they sold themselves, if only they knew.”

“Had they believed and feared Allah, a reward from Allah would have been better, if only they knew.”

We condemn the Christians for the religious excess and association of partners with Allah that they introduced, for rejecting the Messenger, and for the monasticism they invented. We do not praise them for it, since they invented it, and every religious innovation is misguidance. However, if someone who practices such an innovation seeks the truth, he may be pardoned, leaving his deed wasted and of no benefit. This is the kind of misguidance for which a person is excused, receiving neither punishment nor reward.

For this reason, He said:

“Not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray.”

The one who incurs wrath is punished by that very wrath, whereas the one who goes astray misses the intended goal: mercy and reward. Yet he may not be punished as the former is; rather, he is cursed and cast out. Thus, the account of Zayd ibn ‘Amr ibn Nufayl relates that the Jews said to him, “You will not enter our religion until you take your share of Allah’s wrath.” The Christians said to him, “Until you take your share of Allah’s curse.”

Al-Dahhāk and a group of others said, “Hell has levels: the uppermost is for the sinners of this community, the next for the Christians, and the next for the Jews.” Thus they placed the Jews below the Christians.