of them—or most of them—hate following the Messenger, and they are among the people furthest removed from striving in Allah’s cause. Indeed, they assist(1) His enemies while claiming to love Him, for their love is of the same kind as the love of the polytheists, about whom(2) Allah said:

“Their prayer at the Sacred House was nothing but whistling and clapping.”

[Surah al-Anfāl: 35]

For this reason, they love listening to odes far more than they love listening to the Quran. They strive(3) to call upon their shaykhs and seek their aid at their graves—or, during their lifetimes, when they are absent—far more than they strive to call upon Allah and seek His aid in the mosques [and homes](4).

All of this is the conduct of the polytheists, not the conduct of those who devote their religion sincerely to Allah, such as the Companions and the Successors [who followed them in excellence](5). The former denied love for Him, while the latter adopted the polytheists’ mode of love; both groups have departed from the Quran and the sunnah.

Love for Him is itself the foundation of worshipping Him, while associating others with Him in that love is the foundation of associating others with Him in worship. The former bear some resemblance to the Jews(6) and possess arrogance akin to that of the Jews. The latter bear some resemblance to the Christians and possess polytheism akin to that of the Christians.

The Christians are astray: they have worship, mercy, and monasticism, but without knowledge. Consequently, they follow their desires without knowledge. Allah Most High says:

“O People of the Book, do not go to excess in your religion, nor say anything about Allah except the truth.”