and will. Concerning the former, He said:

“Say, ‘He is Allah, One;
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
nor is there anyone comparable to Him.’”

He thus commanded him to declare this affirmation of His oneness. Concerning the latter, He said:

“Say, ‘O disbelievers,
I do not worship what you worship,
nor do you worship what I worship.
Nor do I worship what you have worshipped,
nor do you worship what I worship.
For you is your religion, and for me is mine.’”

He thus commanded him to declare that which entails disavowing the worship of anything other than Allah and devoting worship sincerely to Allah alone.

“Worship” is rooted in intention and will. When mentioned on its own, worship includes reliance upon Allah and similar acts. When mentioned alongside reliance upon Allah, however, reliance becomes a distinct category alongside worship, as we explained regarding the term “faith.” Allah Most High said:

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

And Allah Most High said:

“O mankind, worship your Lord.”

These and similar statements encompass carrying out what is commanded and refraining from what is forbidden; reliance upon Allah is included in this. Yet elsewhere He said:

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

And He said:

“So worship Him and rely upon Him.”

This occurs frequently in the Quran: a term’s scope varies, becoming broader or narrower depending on whether it appears on its own or alongside another term. Such is the case with the terms “right and wrong.” He said:

“You are the best nation brought forth for mankind: you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”

And He said:

“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another: they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”

And He said:

“He enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong.”