Another point that clarifies what we have stated is that Allah, glorified be He, sometimes mentions commanding him to call to Allah, and at other times to call to His path. As He Most High says:

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.”

For it is understood that whenever someone calls others to something, that call necessarily involves two things: first, the intended goal; and second, the means and path leading to that goal. This is why He sometimes speaks of calling to Allah and at other times of calling to His path. For He, glorified be He, is the One to be worshipped, the intended goal of the call.

Worship is a term encompassing the utmost love for Him and the utmost humble submission to Him. Whoever submits humbly to another while hating him is not thereby worshipping him; nor is someone who loves another without humbly submitting to him thereby worshipping him. Allah, glorified be He, deserves to be loved with the utmost love. Indeed, He is to be the One loved unconditionally, such that nothing is loved except for His sake. He deserves to be revered and shown the utmost humble submission. Indeed, nothing is to be submitted to except for His sake. Whoever associates another with Him in this love and submission has not attained true love and reverence, for associating partners with Him necessarily diminishes love.

He Most High says:

“Yet among mankind are those who take others besides Allah as equals, loving them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”

That is, their love for Allah is stronger than the love these people have