Sixth: This meaning does not occur to someone invoking Allah by this name. After mentioning the name, his attention is directed solely toward what he seeks.

Seventh: If that were the underlying expression, Allāhumma would constitute a complete sentence at which one could naturally stop, since it would contain both the name being invoked and a verb expressing a request. But that is not so.

Eighth: If the underlying expression were as he described, the imperative verb would be written separately, rather than joined to the name being invoked, as in yā Allāh, qih (“O Allah, protect”) «1», yā Zayd, ‘ih (“O Zayd, pay heed”) «2», and yā ‘Amr, fih (“O ‘Amr, fulfil”) «3». A verb is not joined to the preceding noun so that the two become a single written word. Such a spelling has no parallel. The agreement on joining the mīm to the name Allah is evidence that it is not an independent verb.

Ninth: It is neither appropriate nor fitting for a servant to say in supplication, “Allāhumma, ummanī bi-kadhā”—“O Allah, turn toward me with such-and-such.” Rather, this is objectionable in both wording and meaning. One would only say, “Turn toward me with such-and-such,” to someone liable to error and forgetfulness, telling him, “Turn toward me.” But someone who acts only by his own will, and who neither errs nor forgets, is not told, “Turn toward such-and-such.”

Tenth: This expression may be used where it is not followed by a supplication.

For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in supplication:

“O Allah, to You belongs all praise; to You complaints are brought; You are the One whose help is sought; through You relief is sought; and upon You we rely. There is no power nor strength except through Allah.”

He also said:

“O Allah, this morning I call You to witness, and I call the bearers of Your Throne, Your angels, and all Your creation to witness, that You are Allah: there is no god but You alone, without partner, and Muhammad is Your servant and Messenger.”

Allah Most High says:

3:26 “Say, ‘O Allah, Owner of sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour whom You will and humble whom You will.’”

And He says:

39:46 “Say, ‘O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants concerning that over which they differed.’”

And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would say while bowing and prostrating:

“Glory and praise be to You, O Allah, our Lord. O Allah, forgive me.”