its fulfillment comes, those who had forgotten it before will say, ‘The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth.’” He thus tells us that those who abandoned the Book—that is, the divine message—will say, when its fulfillment comes—that is, when what it foretold comes to pass—“The messengers of our Lord came with the truth.”

This is like His words, Most High:

“But whoever turns away from My remembrance will certainly have a life of hardship”—and the following verse.

He tells us that those who abandon following His signs will suffer what He has described. It is thus clear that the foundation of bliss and deliverance from punishment is affirming Allah’s oneness by worshipping Him alone, without partner, believing in His messengers and the Last Day, and doing righteous deeds. These things are absent from their philosophy. It contains neither the command to worship Allah alone, without partner, nor the prohibition against worshipping created beings. Rather, every instance of polytheism in the world arose through the opinions of people of their kind. They are the ones who enjoin polytheism and practise it. Those among them who do not enjoin it do not forbid it either; rather, they accept both groups. Even if one gives some preference to those who affirm Allah’s oneness, another may prefer the polytheists, or may turn away from both altogether. Reflect on this, for it is immensely beneficial.

I have seen writings of theirs on the worship of celestial bodies and angels, and the worship of disembodied souls—the souls of prophets and others—that constitute the very foundation of polytheism. When they claim to affirm Allah’s oneness, their affirmation is only in speech, not in worship and action. Yet affirming Allah’s oneness as taught by the messengers necessarily entails devoting religion sincerely to Allah and worshipping Him alone, without partner. This is something they do not know.