As for sinners whose evil deeds outweigh their good deeds, so that their scales are light and they deserve the Fire: those among them who affirm “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” will be afflicted by the Fire because of their sins. Allah will cause them to die in the Fire, and it will burn them except for the parts used in prostration. Then Allah will bring them out of the Fire through intercession and admit them to Paradise, as the authentic hadiths relate.

This makes clear that the entire matter hinges on truly putting into effect the declaration of sincere devotion, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah”—not, as the people of ignorance supposed, on associating partners with Allah by clinging to the dead and worshipping them. This has been discussed at length elsewhere.

The point here is this:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would combine praise, which is the essence of gratitude, with affirming Allah’s oneness and seeking forgiveness when he raised his head from bowing. He would say: ‘Our Lord, to You belongs all praise, filling the heavens, filling the earth, filling all that lies between them, and filling whatever else You will. O You who are worthy of praise and glory! The truest words a servant can say—and we are all Your servants—are: None can withhold what You give, and none can give what You withhold, nor can anyone’s worldly fortune avail him against You.’ Then he would say: ‘O Allah, purify me with snow, hail, and cold water. O Allah, purify me of sins and misdeeds as a white garment is cleansed of dirt.’”

This was related by Muslim in his Sahīh from Abū Sa‘īd al-Khudrī, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, raised his head