Thus, many of these people resemble tyrannical kings who are hostile to one another: some are killed, some captured, and some defeated. One may capture another, who then remains under his control; another may have his state stripped away by someone else and be left without any state, like a defeated king. All of this stems from the fundamental doctrine of the Jahmiyyah, who take determinism in matters of divine decree to extremes.

Only one who affirms that Allah loves certain things and hates others, is angry at some, rejoices in some, and is displeased with others—as the messengers have reported and the scriptures have declared—can escape all of this. Such a person testifies that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. He knows that the oneness of Allah which the messengers were sent to proclaim means worshipping Allah alone, without any partner: Allah is worshipped to the exclusion of everything else.

Worship of Him combines perfect love for Him with complete humility before Him, as the Most High says:

“Turn to your Lord and submit to Him.”

His heart therefore turns to Allah and submits to Him, and he follows the faith of Abraham, inclining to the truth:

“And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while doing good and follows the faith of Abraham, inclining to the truth? And Allah took Abraham as a close friend.”

He knows that whatever Allah and His Messenger command, Allah loves and is pleased with; and whatever He forbids, He hates and prohibits, and He abhors and is displeased with those who do it. Thus, he comes to recognize the distinction made by the True One, Most High. He knows that Allah Most High loves to be worshipped alone, without any partner, and hates those who set up rivals to Him, loving them as they love Allah—even if they acknowledge His oneness in lordship, like the polytheists of