There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the Noble Throne.”

These words affirm true monotheism, the servant’s worship of his Lord, and his placing his hope in Him alone, without partner. They take the form of a statement but convey a supplication.

Although people say with their tongues, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” the servant’s saying it sincerely from his heart is an altogether different reality. His obedience to Allah becomes complete in proportion to how fully he realizes monotheism.

Allah Most High says:

“Have you seen the one who has taken his own desire as his god? Would you then be his guardian? Or do you think that most of them listen or understand? They are only like cattle—indeed, they are even further astray.”

Whoever makes his own desires the object of his worship has taken his desire as his god; that is, he has made whatever he desires his object of worship. This is the condition of the polytheists: each worships whatever appeals to him. They set up rivals besides Allah, loving them as they love Allah. Hence Allah’s intimate friend said:

“I do not love those that set.”

His people did not deny the Creator. Rather, each of them worshipped whatever appealed to him and he thought would benefit him, such as the sun, the moon, and the stars. Allah’s intimate friend explained that whatever sets disappears from its worshipper and is concealed from him by intervening barriers. It neither sees its worshipper, nor hears his words, nor knows his condition, nor benefits or harms him, whether through some means or without them. What grounds, then, are there for worshipping something that sets?

The more fully the servant realizes sincerity in saying, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” the more his heart is freed of