who interpreted worship as a reality common to all, rather than as the worship enjoined through the messengers. Thus, in Ibn Abī Talha’s commentary attributed to Ibn ‘Abbās, it is explained as:

“Except to acknowledge their servitude, willingly or unwillingly.”

This servitude is like that mentioned in His words:

“To Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly.”

And His words:

“To Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly.”

Some interpreted “unwillingly” as referring to the operation of divine decree, which would make this interpretation equivalent to the preceding one. The correct interpretation, however, is their submission to His decree without their choosing to do so, as when they surrender in times of calamity, and their compliance with those of His religious rulings that they dislike. Everyone must inevitably submit to His decree and His religious rulings. This is a sound meaning, discussed at length elsewhere, but it is not worship.

Likewise, some said:

“Except to submit to Me and humble themselves.”

They said: “The linguistic meaning of worship is humility and submission. Every created being among the jinn and humankind is subject to Allah Most High’s decree and humbled before His will. No one has the power to escape what he was created for.”

Abū al-Faraj mentioned this statement of Ibn ‘Abbās. He said: “This is explained by His words:

‘If you ask them who created them, they will surely say, “Allah.”’”

This verse accords with the interpretation, “Except to know Me,” as will be discussed below. Those who acknowledged that Allah was their Creator did not acknowledge this unwillingly, unlike their submission and subjection to Him, which may be unwilling. As for the acknowledgment itself, it is innate: they were created with it and offered it willingly.