with no partner.
The meaning conveyed by this formulation includes elements that agree with what the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, brought, and others that contradict it. Nor is the truth it contains the ultimate aim of his message. Rather, the oneness he commanded encompasses the truth in this statement and something further. This is therefore a statement in which truth has been mixed with falsehood and truth concealed.
For even if a man affirms the attributes that befit the Lord Most High, declares Him free of everything from which He must be declared free, and acknowledges that He alone is the Creator of all things, he is not a monotheist—indeed, not even a believer—until he testifies that there is no god but Allah. He must acknowledge that Allah alone is the God who deserves worship and commit himself to worshipping Allah alone, with no partner.
The term “god” means the one worshipped, who deserves worship; it does not mean one who has the power to create. Thus, if an interpreter explains “god” as one capable of bringing things into existence, considers this the most distinctive characteristic of God, and makes establishing this oneness the ultimate aim of affirming oneness—as some speculative theologians who affirm the attributes do, and as they report from Abū al-Hasan and his followers—then they have not understood the true oneness with which Allah sent His Messenger. The Arab polytheists acknowledged that Allah alone was the Creator of everything, yet they remained polytheists.
Allah Most High said:
“Most of them do not believe in Allah without associating others with Him.” [Yūsuf: 106]
A group of the early generations said: “You ask them who created the heavens and the earth, and they say, ‘Allah’; yet they worship others besides Him.”
Allah Most High said:
“Say, ‘To whom does the earth belong, and everyone in it, if you know?’ * They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then take heed?’ * Say, ‘Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the Mighty Throne?’ * They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not then fear Him?’ * Say, ‘In whose hand is dominion over all things, and who grants protection while none can grant protection against Him, if you know?’ * They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘How, then, are you deluded?’” [al-Mu’minūn: 84-89]
Allah Most High said:
“If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon, they will surely say, ‘Allah.’” [al-‘Ankabūt: 61]