, the Most Merciful.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ The servant says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment.’ Allah says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ The servant says, ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.’ Allah says, ‘This verse is divided into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’ The servant says, ‘Guide us to the straight path—the path of those You have blessed, not those who have incurred Your anger, nor those who have gone astray.’ Allah says, ‘These are for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.’”

Thus, the half consisting of praise and goodness belongs to the Lord, glorified is He, while the half consisting of supplication and petition belongs to the servant. These two statements encompass what belongs to the Lord, glorified is He, and what belongs to the servant: “You alone we worship” is for the Lord, and “You alone we ask for help” is for the servant.

In the two Sahīh collections, Mu‘ādh, may Allah be pleased with him, reported:

“I was riding behind the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, on a donkey. He said, ‘O Mu‘ādh, do you know Allah’s right over His servants?’

“I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’

“He said, ‘Allah’s right over His servants is that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him. Do you know the servants’ right upon Allah if they do that?’

“I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’

“He said, ‘Their right upon Him is that He not punish them.’”

Worship is the purpose for which Allah created His servants, in respect of what He commands, loves, and is pleased with. As He, exalted is He, says:

“I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”

It was with this that He sent the messengers and revealed the scriptures. Worship is a term encompassing the fullest and utmost love for Allah together with the fullest and utmost humility before Him. Love devoid of humility, and humility devoid of love, do not constitute worship. Rather, worship combines both in their fullest measure. For this reason, worship is fitting for Allah alone. Although its benefit accrues to the servant, while Allah has no need of any of creation, it is for Him in that He loves it and is pleased with it. For this reason, Allah rejoices more at His servant’s repentance than