“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” These two foundations—reliance upon Allah and worship—are mentioned together in several places in the Quran. This is the first.

The second is [Allah Most High’s statement relating the words of Shuʿayb] «1»: “My success is only through Allah. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn.” 11:88

The third is His statement: “To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and to Him all matters are returned. So worship Him and rely upon Him.” 11:123

The fourth is His statement relating the words of the believers: “Our Lord, upon You we rely, to You we turn, and to You is the final return.” 60:4

The fifth is His statement: “Remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholly to Him. He is the Lord of the east and the west; there is no god but Him, so take Him as your Trustee.” 73:8 and 9

The sixth is His statement: “Say, ‘He is my Lord; there is no god but Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn.’” 3:13

These, then, are six places where the two foundations are brought together: “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

Worship precedes seeking help in al-Fātihah because ends take precedence over means: worship is the purpose for which servants were created, while seeking help is a means to it. Moreover, “You alone we worship” relates to His divinity and His name “Allah,” whereas “You alone we ask for help” relates to His lordship and His name “Lord.” Thus, “You alone we worship” precedes “You alone we ask for help,” just as the name “Allah” precedes “Lord” at the beginning of the surah.

Furthermore, “You alone we worship” is the Lord’s portion, and therefore falls within the first half, devoted to praising Allah Most High, where it more properly belongs. “You alone we ask for help” is the servant’s portion, and therefore belongs with the half allotted to him: “Guide us to the straight path,” through to the end of the surah.