These people come under the meaning of Allah Most High’s words:

“Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in al-jibt and al-tāghūt and say of those who disbelieve, ‘These are better guided in their way than the believers.’ Those are the ones whom Allah has cursed, and whoever Allah curses, you will never find for him any helper.”

[Surah al-Nisā: 51–52].

These Imamis were given a portion of the Scripture, for they acknowledge some of what is contained in the revealed Scripture. They possess an element of belief in al-jibt—namely, magic—and al-tāghūt (1), namely, whatever is worshipped besides Allah (2). For they venerate the philosophy that embraces such things (3), approve of supplication and worship directed to the dead and of establishing mosques over graves (4), and turn journeys to them into a pilgrimage with its own rites, speaking of:

“The Rites of Pilgrimage to the Shrines.”

Reliable persons have told me that some among them (5) regard pilgrimage to these shrines as greater than pilgrimage to the Ancient House. Thus, they regard associating partners with Allah as greater than worshipping Allah. This is among the greatest forms of belief in al-tāghūt.

They say of those whose disbelief they acknowledge (6)—those who maintain the eternity of the universe, call upon celestial bodies, and sanction associating partners with Allah—“These are better guided in their way than the believers.” For they have preferred these heretical polytheists to the earliest and foremost among