which are the two foundations of the religion and encompass it in its entirety. Indeed, the whole religion is contained in the “two testimonies of faith,” for their meaning is that we worship none but Allah and obey His Messenger. The whole “religion” is contained in this: worshipping Allah by obeying Him and His Messenger. Everything obligatory or recommended falls within obedience to Allah and His Messenger.

It has been narrated that one says:

“Glory and praise be to You, O Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.”

This is the expiation for a gathering, and it has been prescribed both at the conclusion of a gathering and at the end of ablution. Likewise, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would conclude the prayer as described in the authentic hadith, which states that he would say at the end of his prayer:

“O Allah, forgive my past and future sins, what I have concealed and what I have made public, and what You know better than I. You are the One who brings forward and the One who puts back. There is no god but You.”

Here, he began with supplication and concluded with the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, because supplication is commanded at the end of the prayer. He concluded with the affirmation of Allah’s oneness so that he would end the prayer with the better of the two. Where this particular purpose is not intended, however, it is better to begin with the affirmation of Allah’s oneness.

Supplication consisting of praise and worship is, as a category, superior to supplication consisting of asking and requesting. Nevertheless, what is generally less excellent may take precedence over what is more excellent in a particular setting, owing to a specific reason or other considerations. Thus, prayer is superior to recitation, recitation is superior to remembrance consisting of praise, and remembrance is superior to supplication consisting of requests. Even so, the less excellent act has particular places and times