divinity encompasses lordship, and lordship necessarily implies divinity, the fact that either term includes the other when used alone does not prevent each from bearing its distinct meaning when used alongside the other. Thus Allah says:

“Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
the Sovereign of mankind,
the God of mankind.”

And He says:

“All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.”

He thus brings together the two names: God and Lord. “God” is the One who is worshipped and deserves to be worshipped, while “Lord” is the One who nurtures His servant and directs his affairs. Hence worship is associated with His name Allah, and supplication with His name Lord. Worship is the ultimate purpose for which creation was created. Divinity is the ultimate end, whereas lordship encompasses creating creatures and bringing them into being, and thus encompasses the beginning of their existence.

When someone praying says:

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

he places the intended purpose, which is the ultimate end, before the means, which is the starting point. Worship is the end sought, and seeking help is the means to it: the former is the underlying purpose, and the latter is the cause. The distinction between a final cause and an efficient cause is well known. Hence the saying: “What comes first in thought comes last in action, and what comes first in aspiration comes last in attainment.” The final cause therefore comes first in conception and intention, but last in actual existence.

The believer intends from the outset to worship Allah, knowing that this can only be accomplished with His help. He therefore says:

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

Since worship is associated with the name Allah, Exalted is He, the prescribed words of remembrance employ this name, such as the words of the call to prayer:

“Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.”

Likewise, the two testimonies of faith: