As for a dog’s barking, if it constitutes glorification of Allah, then the caller’s voice has a greater claim to do so. In any event, the barking of dogs, which is accompanied by Satan’s presence, cannot be closer to such glorification than the caller’s voice, which causes devils to flee. If this glorification consists in pointing to Allah’s lordship, the caller’s voice does so more perfectly; and if it consists in worshipping the Lord as He deserves to be worshipped, then the caller’s voice is a greater act of worship of Allah than a dog’s barking.

Thus, the glorification of Allah with praise by all things includes the caller to prayer, in every respect, more fully than it includes the dog. How, then, can the barking dog be included while the caller is excluded on account of some heedlessness? Moreover, keeping a dog is forbidden except when needed for hunting, farming, or tending livestock. Whoever keeps a dog for any purpose other than these three has the reward for his deeds diminished by one qīrāt each day. Responding to a barking dog with “At your service!” is a reprehensible act with no justification whatsoever. No one is to be followed in this, even if he is excused or forgiven, and commended for other good deeds.

The same applies to the story related about al-Shiblī: when he reached the two testimonies of faith, he said, “Had You not commanded me, I would not have mentioned anyone else alongside You.” Citing this in the chapter on jealousy is reprehensible and false, and is only appropriate if we explain that this is a kind of jealousy whose possessor Allah hates. Indeed, jealousy over testifying that His messengers were sent by Him is a form of disbelief and one of its branches. Can anyone affirm Allah’s oneness and testify that He alone is worthy of worship without testifying that His messengers were sent by Him? We have explained in several places in al-Qawāʿid and elsewhere that anyone who does not testify to the messengers’ mission can only be a polytheist who sets up another god alongside Allah, and that affirming Allah’s oneness and affirming prophethood are inseparable. Everyone whom Allah describes in His Book as a polytheist is a denier