For this reason, the declaration of Allah’s oneness is

“like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches reach into the sky.”

Concerning the declaration of polytheism, He said:

“Like a foul tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability.”

It has neither a firm foundation nor a firmly established branch, for it is false, like the words and deeds of liars. Indeed, it is the greatest lie and fabrication, coupled with love for it. Associating partners with Allah is the greatest injustice. Ibn Mas‘ūd said: “I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which sin is greatest?’ He replied, ‘To set up a rival to Allah when it is He who created you.’”

Their devotion to these objects, their worship, veneration, love and invocation of them, their belief that they are gods, and their assertions that they are gods—all this exists, just as belief in liars exists. But these objects do not actually possess divinity, just as Musaylima did not possess prophethood.

There are thus two conditions to consider: that of the worshipper and that of the object of worship. All worshippers have worship and devotion in their hearts towards whatever they worship. As for the objects of worship, the Most Merciful possesses divinity, whereas anything besides Him possesses none. Rather, it is dead, unable to bring its worshippers either harm or benefit.

“Say, ‘If there were gods alongside Him, as they say, they would have sought a way to the Lord of the Throne.’”

According to the sounder of the two interpretations, this means “a way” of drawing near to Him through worshipping and remembering Him. This is why He said thereafter:

“The seven heavens and the earth and all who are in them glorify Him, and there is not a thing