people of this Inward religion (Al-Din al-Batin)—and the lack of attainment of the people of the Fire—who are the people of these corrupt outward schools (Al-Madhahib al-Zahira); and God knows best what is correct.

The Almighty has forbidden us from following the inclinations (Ahwa') of the adherents of the outward religious laws and commanded us to follow the Inward law (Al-Shari'a al-Batina), according to His address to His Prophet: {Then We put you on an ordained way (Shari'a) of the matter; so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know} (Al-Jathiya: 18).

Al-Sayyid al-Makzun—may God sanctify him—said in his poetry:

Were it not for whim, no one would have fallen into the Fire

From the Path, nor from its limit would they have strayed.

Nor would one have seen the Truth witnessed and beheld it

As knowledge yet denied it out of injustice and heresy.

His—the Almighty's—intent in His saying: {and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know} (Al-Jathiya: 18) is the prohibition of following these outward forms (Al-Suwar al-Zahira) which the People of the Outward believe in; for His address—the Almighty—to His Prophet is fitting for us and applies to us.