the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”

This entails acknowledging Him and worshipping Him alone, for a deity is one who is worshipped. He did not say, “until they testify that there is no Lord but Allah,” for the name Allah more clearly conveys the purpose of worshipping Him—the purpose for which creation was brought into being and which they were commanded to fulfil.

Likewise, he said to Mu‘ādh:

“You are going to a people from among the People of the Book. Let the first thing you call them to be the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Noah, peace be upon him, said:

“Worship Allah, fear Him, and obey me.”

The messengers made the same call in Surah al-A‘rāf and elsewhere. Allah says:

“We certainly sent a messenger to every nation, saying: ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.’”

He said to all the messengers:

“O messengers, eat of the good things and do righteous deeds. Indeed, I know all that you do. And indeed, this religion of yours is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear Me.”

Allah Most High says:

“For the accustomed security of Quraysh—their accustomed security in the journeys of winter and summer—let them worship the Lord of this House, who has fed them against hunger and made them safe from fear.”

He says:

“I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who has made it sacred, and to whom all things belong.”

He says:

“Say: ‘O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship.’”

He says in al-Fātihah:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

He says:

“So worship Him and put your trust in Him.”

He says:

“So worship Him and persevere in His worship. Do you know of any equal to Him?”

He says:

“They were commanded only to worship Allah, sincerely devoting their religion to Him, inclining to true faith.”