And worse than either of these groups are those who neither worship Allah nor seek His help, but worship others and seek their help. These associate partners with Allah in both respects. Among them are those who associate devils with Allah, such as people who experience satanic states. They do what the devils love, including lying and wickedness; they call upon Him with supplications pleasing to the devils, and recite conjurations that the devils obey and that involve associating partners with Allah. They have been discussed at length elsewhere. Such people may perform extraordinary feats thought to be miraculous gifts granted to Allah’s righteous servants, when in fact they belong to the states experienced by sorcerers and soothsayers. It is therefore essential to distinguish between states rooted in faith and the Quran, states arising from the soul, and satanic states.

As for the fourth category, these are the people of monotheism who devote their religion sincerely to Allah: they worship none but Him and rely upon none but Him.

When a distressed person says,

“There is no god worthy of worship but You,”

he may be mindful of one of the two forms of monotheism but not the other. Those upon whom Allah has perfected His favour are mindful of both. A distressed person is intent upon warding off harm and securing benefit, so he may say,

“There is no god worthy of worship but Allah,”

with the awareness that none but You can remove harm, and none but You can bestow blessings. Such a person is mindful of Allah’s oneness in His lordship, and of singling Him out in supplication, petition, and reliance, while turning away from singling Him out in worship, which Allah loves, is pleased with, and commands