himself by increasing his disavowal of polytheism. This surah is “the Healer,” which heals polytheism as a patient is healed of illness. For polytheism and disbelief are the gravest diseases of the heart. Thus, the believer is commanded to make a declaration that brings about in his heart a degree of disavowal of polytheism that was not there before. Whenever he repeats it, his disavowal of polytheism increases, and his heart is further healed of its disease—even if the disbelievers addressed only increase in disbelief through what is stated about them.

Declarative sentences correspond to what they describe, whereas a performative utterance brings into being something that did not previously exist. Thus, it is said:

“Say, ‘O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship.’”

That is: I refuse this and abandon it. Then He says:

“Nor will I be a worshipper of what you have worshipped.”

That is: I disavow this, keep myself above it, and purify my soul of it. For nothing defiles the soul more than polytheism, and the greatest purification and cleansing of the soul is to purify and cleanse it of polytheism.

I am never a worshipper of anything you have worshipped at any time. Yet you do not worship what I worship; rather, you are disassociated from what I worship. I disavow what you worship, am commanded to disavow it, seek to increase that disavowal, and strive to do so. I report that you are disassociated from what I worship, either because you command this, or because you worship Him—but I do not report that, for it would be a lie—or because you strive in your disavowal and carry it to great lengths. Your states differ in this respect.