the ultimate goal intended for them. Through it they become truly active and alive; without it they can never be upright or successful, never taste bliss or delight in any situation whatsoever. On the contrary: “Whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord shall have a constricted life, and We shall raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection” (20:124).

For this reason Allah does not forgive that partners be ascribed to Him, though He forgives anything short of that for whom He wills; and for this reason the words “There is no god but Allah” are the finest of all good deeds, while affirming tawḥīd by declaring “There is no god but Allah” stands at the very head of the matter.

As for the tawḥīd of Lordship—admitted by all creation and set forth by the scholastic theologians—on its own it is not sufficient; rather, it is an argument against them. This is the meaning of the saying that is related: “O son of Adam, I created everything for you, and I created you for Me; so by My right over you, do not let what I created for you distract you from what I created you for.”

Know, then, that this is Allah’s right over His servants: that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him. In the sound ḥadīth narrated by Muʿādh, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Do you know what Allah’s right upon His servants is?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Allah’s right upon His servants is that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him. Do you know what the servants’ right upon Allah is if they do so?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Their right is that He will not punish them.”