recite these two surahs in the two rak‘ahs of Fajr and the two rak‘ahs of tawāf (circumambulation), and on other occasions.

He would also recite in the two rak‘ahs of Fajr and the two rak‘ahs of tawāf the verse beginning:

“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us.’”

In the second rak‘ah, he would recite His words, Most High:

“Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, come to terms common to us and you: that we worship none but Allah, associate nothing with Him, and do not take one another as lords besides Allah.’ If they turn away, say, ‘Bear witness that we are Muslims.’”

These two verses contain the religion of Islam and faith in word and deed. His words, Most High:

“We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes,”

through to the end of the verse, encompass faith professed in words and Islam. His words:

“Say, ‘O People of the Scripture, come to terms common to us and you,’”

through to the end of the verse, encompass Islam and faith expressed in deeds. The greatest blessing Allah has bestowed upon His servants is Islam and faith, and both are contained in these two verses. Allah, glorified and exalted be He, knows best.

This concludes the question-and-answer exchange that I wished to reproduce here in its original wording, because it concisely presents important points and beneficial principles concerning this subject. Affirming Allah’s oneness is the secret of the Quran and the heart of faith. Expressing it in varied ways that bring out its different implications is among the most important and beneficial means of securing people’s welfare in this life and the Hereafter. And Allah knows best.