Don't they forbid what Allah allows, so you forbid it? Don't they allow what Allah forbids, so you allow it? I said: Yes. He said: That is how you worship them

Explanation

‘Adiyy ibn Hātim, a noble Companion, heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recite a verse indicating that the Jews and Christians took their scholars and devout people as deities. They would legislate for them rulings opposite to Allah's legislations and would be obeyed. On hearing the verse, ‘Adiyy could not understand what it means, because he thought that worship was confined to prostration and similar acts. Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told him that part of worshipping the rabbis and monks lies in obeying them in forbidding the lawful and allowing the forbidden, thus contradicting the divine and prophetic legislation.

Lessons

• It is major polytheism to obey scholars or other individuals in changing the rulings of Allah Almighty if one knows they are contradicting the Shariah of Allah.
• Determining the lawful and the unlawful is the right of Allah Almighty.
• It demonstrates one of the kinds of polytheism, namely the polytheism of obedience.
• The legitimacy of teaching the ignorant.
• Worship is a comprehensive term that includes all words and deeds, inward and outward, that are dear and pleasing to the Almighty Lord.
• It shows the misguidance of rabbis and monks.
• It proves that the Jews and Christians are polytheists.
• The core of all messengers’ religion is one, namely monotheism.
• Obedience to a created being that involves disobedience to the Creator is a form of worship to him.
• One is required to ask the scholars about unknown or unclear rulings.
• The Companions were keen on learning.