or a star or an idol, just as the pagan Arabs would chant in their talbiyah: “Labayka lā sharīka lak, illā sharīkan huwa lak, tamlikuhu wa mā malak” (Here I am; You have no partner—except a partner who belongs to You; You own him and whatever he owns). In contrast, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, proclaimed pure monotheism, saying: “Labayka Allāhumma labayk, labayka lā sharīka laka labayk; inna al-ḥamda wa’n-niʿmata laka wa’l-mulk, lā sharīka lak” (Here I am, O Allah, here I am. Here I am; You have no partner, here I am. Truly, all praise, grace, and sovereignty are Yours; You have no partner).

Those who have compiled the doctrines of the earlier and later peoples—across religions, sects, philosophies, and creeds—have never reported anyone affirming a partner who shares with Him in creating all beings, nor anyone comparable to Him in every