departs from the guidance of his Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, and the guidance of his Companions and those who followed them in righteousness, turning instead to ways resembling those of the Christians, has abandoned what Allah and His Messenger commanded.

As for someone saying, “My need was fulfilled through Allah’s blessing and yours,” this is a reprehensible statement. No one else is to be coupled with Allah in such expressions. Indeed, when someone said to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, “Whatever Allah wills and you will,” he replied:

“Have you made me an equal to Allah? Rather, say: ‘Whatever Allah alone wills.’”

He also told his Companions:

“Do not say, ‘Whatever Allah wills and Muhammad wills.’ Instead, say, ‘Whatever Allah wills, then Muhammad wills.’”

A hadith relates that one of the Muslims saw someone saying, “What excellent people you are, were it not that you set up rivals!” That is, they set up a rival to Allah by saying, “Whatever Allah wills and Muhammad wills.” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, therefore forbade them to say this.

In the authentic collection, Zayd ibn Khālid reported:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family and grant him peace, led us in the dawn prayer at al-Hudaybiyah following rainfall during the night. He said, ‘Do you know what your Lord said last night?’

“We replied, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’

“He said, ‘He said: “This morning, some of My servants believe in Me and others disbelieve. As for whoever says, ‘We were given rain by Allah’s grace and mercy,’ he believes in Me and disbelieves in the stars. But whoever says, ‘We were given rain because of such-and-such a star,’ he disbelieves in Me and believes in the stars.”’”

The means Allah has established as such must not be treated as partners, equals, or helpers alongside Him.