is not a disagreement; rather, the term encompasses both because they are inseparable, for the moon is the sign of night. There are many similar examples.

Among them is the Most High’s saying:

“Say, ‘My Lord would not care for you were it not for your invocation.’”

This means your invocation of Him. Another interpretation is His calling you to worship Him, in which case the verbal noun is annexed to its object. In the first interpretation, it is annexed to its subject, and this is the stronger of the two views. On this understanding, both kinds of invocation are intended, though the reference to invocation through worship is more evident. That is, He would not care for you were it not for your hope in Him. Worshipping Him necessarily entails petitioning Him, so both kinds are included.

Another example is the Most High’s saying:

“Your Lord has said, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’”

Invocation here encompasses both kinds, though the reference to invocation through worship is more evident. This is why He follows it with:

“Indeed, those who are too arrogant to worship Me…”

The verse continues. Invocation in this verse is explained in both senses.

Al-Tirmidhī narrated that al-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say from the pulpit, ‘Indeed, invocation is worship.’ He then recited the Most High’s saying, ‘Your Lord has said, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you,”’ continuing the verse.” Al-Tirmidhī said: “A good and authentic hadith.”