concerning Moses’ prophethood and belief in the Torah. Rather, in this they are rightly guided, and it is the foundation of their guidance. They were led into error only through what they did not acknowledge: the missions of the Messiah and Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. As the Exalted said of them:

“They incurred wrath upon wrath.”

Wrath for their disbelief in the Messiah, and wrath for their disbelief in Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This falls under neglecting what has been commanded.

Likewise, the Christians were not led into error through what they affirmed of belief in the prophets of the Children of Israel and the Messiah. Rather, they were led into error through their disbelief in Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. As for their falling into the doctrines of the Trinity and union, through which they rejected monotheism and the prophetic message, this arose from their failure to follow the unambiguous passages of the Torah and the Gospel. These command the worship of Allah alone, without any partner, and make clear the Messiah’s servitude—that he is a servant of Allah. As Allah related his words:

“I told them only what You commanded me: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them. But when You took me, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness over all things.”

When they abandoned following these passages in belief and practice, while still desiring worship and devotion, they invented monasticism and went to excess concerning the Messiah, following desires of their own. They clung to ambiguous expressions because of what they supposed them to mean and desires they followed, which led them away from the truth. Thus, “they follow nothing but conjecture and what their souls desire, although guidance has already come to them from their Lord.”

Hence, their distinguishing mark was going astray, as the Exalted said: