and the Lord is the One who nurtures His servant: He first grants him his very form, then guides him through every state—acts of worship and all else alike.
Consider His words, exalted be He:
- “Upon Him I place my trust, and to Him I turn in repentance.” (11:88)
- “So worship Him and rely upon Him.” (11:123)
- “In You we have placed our trust, to You we have turned, and to You is the journey’s end.” (60:4)
- “Rely on the Ever-Living who never dies, and celebrate His praise.” (25:58)
- “Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.” (13:30)
6-7. “And devote yourself wholly to Him in utter devotion—Lord of the East and the West, there is no deity but He—so take Him as your Trustee.” (73:8-9)
These seven passages gather together those two comprehensive foundations.
Second: Allah created His creatures for the purpose of worship—an encompassing worship that includes knowing Him, turning back to Him, loving Him, and dedicating all acts purely to Him. By His remembrance their hearts find tranquility, and by beholding Him in the Hereafter their eyes will be soothed; nothing they will receive then will be dearer to them than gazing upon Him, just as nothing they are granted in this life is greater than faith in Him.
Indeed, their need for Him in worshipping Him and taking Him alone as their God equals—rather, surpasses—their need for Him in being created and sustained; for that is