Pharaoh:
“O my people! How is it that I invite you to salvation while you invite me to the Fire? You invite me to disbelieve in Allah and associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, while I invite you to the Almighty, the All-Forgiving. There is no doubt that what you invite me to is not worthy of being invoked in this world or the Hereafter, that our return is to Allah, and that the transgressors will be the inhabitants of the Fire.” 1
Verses conveying this meaning are exceedingly numerous. They make clear that “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” means disavowing the worship of everything besides Allah—including intercessors and rivals—and worshipping Allah alone. This is the guidance and the religion of truth with which Allah sent His messengers and for which He revealed His Books. As for a person merely saying, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” without knowing its meaning or acting in accordance with its requirements—and perhaps even assigning to other than Allah a share of his worship, such as supplication, fear, sacrifice, vows, and other forms of worship—this does not suffice to make the servant one of those who truly uphold “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” nor will it save him from Allah’s punishment on the Day of Resurrection2.
“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” is not a name without meaning, a statement without reality, or an expression devoid of substance, as some may suppose. Such people believe that its complete realization consists merely in uttering this declaration without believing any of its meanings in the heart, or pronouncing it without establishing any of its foundations and essential principles. This is assuredly not the true nature of this tremendous declaration. Rather, it designates a momentous truth and is a statement of sublime significance—the greatest of all meanings. Its essence, as explained above, is to disavow the worship of everything besides Allah and turn to Allah alone in humble submission and self-abasement, hope and longing, repentance and reliance, supplication and entreaty. Accordingly, one who