And Ibn Mas‘ūd and others said: “He is the One who has no hollow interior.” Al-Ahad (the One) is He who has no equal. His name al-Samad affirms that He possesses the attributes of perfection and is free of all deficiencies, while His name al-Ahad affirms that nothing is like Him. We have discussed this at length in our commentary on this surah and our explanation of how it equals one-third of the Quran.

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Many people confuse the realities pertaining to divine command, religion, and faith with those pertaining to creation, divine decree, and the cosmic order. For creation and command belong to Allah, glorified and exalted is He, as He Most High says:

“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne. He brings the night as a covering over the day, pursuing it swiftly. The sun, the moon, and the stars are subject to His command. Surely, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of all worlds.”

He, glorified is He, is the Creator, Lord, and Sovereign of everything. There is no creator besides Him and no lord other than Him. Whatever He wills comes to pass, and whatever He does not will does not come to pass. Every movement and every state of rest in existence occurs through His decree, ordainment, will, power, and creation.

He, glorified is He, has commanded obedience to Himself and His messengers and forbidden disobedience to Himself and His messengers. He has commanded that He alone be worshipped and that worship be devoted sincerely to Him, and He has forbidden associating partners with Allah. Thus, the greatest of good deeds is