And if you see the name associated with none of these types, then it requires neither praise nor censure." As for these outward prayers, what are they except as parables. Praise, censure, or neglect are not applied to them because Allah the Exalted does not point to them in His verses with praise, censure, or neglect. Rather, He made them parables and images to point toward inward meanings and luminous persons, as we have mentioned. As for religious devotion and belief in them, it is never permissible, because they are nothing but outward parables and outward images like other transient worldly parables—let those who understand, understand.

Allah the Exalted said, mentioning the censured prayer and its censured people: {So he neither affirmed nor prayed. But he denied and turned away} (Al-Qiyamah 31-32). And He the Exalted said: {So woe to those who pray, those who are heedless of their prayer} (Al-Ma'un 4-5).

And He the Exalted said: {Say, "O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor am I a worshipper of what you have worshipped. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion"} (Al-Kafirun 1-6). Similar to this are many verses and narrations pointing out that the denying nations do not intend the True Allah with their prayers. Therefore, Allah the Exalted censured both the prayers and the people together.