only the true Inward as all outward forms are merely parables and images for inward meanings; and it was said his intent by 'the opposite' is to show that the outward laws of the prophets are opposites of each other because their outward forms differ while their inward harmonizes, and this indicates the rejection of the outward, and 'follow a path that saves' refers to the science of the Inward; and since they are all images it is not permissible to practice them in private, just as Abraham broke the idols because they were fashioned by idolaters as an exemplary image of the Lord who appeared in ancient times."

[The narration] is famous, and there is no need for us to cite it.

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness..."

Allah forbade our Master Moses (peace be upon him) in the Torah from making statues and images, and from believing in them in many places. Among these is what the Almighty said to His Interlocutor (Kalīm), Moses (peace be upon him), in the twentieth chapter of the Book of Exodus:

'I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them nor serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.'