of the messengers; and everyone He describes as denying the messengers is a polytheist. Testifying that Allah alone is worthy of worship is not complete without testifying that His servant is His Messenger.

As related in a report traced back to the Prophet concerning Allah’s words, “And We raised high for you your renown” (Sūrat al-Inshirāh, 4): “I am not mentioned without you being mentioned alongside Me. Neither a sermon nor a recitation of the testimony of faith by your community is complete until they testify that you are My servant and My Messenger.”

The same applies to the story I heard from one of the Sufis about Abū al-Hasan al-Khazafānī, who said: “‘There is no god but Allah’ comes from within the heart; ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of