Thus, a polytheist’s acknowledgment that Allah is the Lord, Sovereign, and Creator of all things does not save him from Allah’s punishment unless it is accompanied by his acknowledgment that none is worthy of worship except Allah—so no one but Him deserves worship—and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, whose reports must therefore be believed and whose commands must be obeyed. These two foundations must therefore be discussed.

The First Foundation: “Allah’s Oneness in Worship”

As noted earlier, Allah, glorified is He, has told us that the polytheists established intermediaries between themselves and Allah, invoking them and taking them as intercessors without Allah’s permission. Allah Most High says:

“They worship besides Allah what can neither harm nor benefit them, and say, ‘These are our intercessors with Allah.’ Say, ‘Are you informing Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on earth?’ Glorified and exalted is He above what they associate with Him!”

He thus declares that those who took these beings as intercessors are polytheists. Allah Most High also relates the words of the believer mentioned in Surah Yā-Sīn:

“Why should I not worship the One who created me, and to whom you will be returned?

“Should I take gods besides Him? If the Most Merciful intends any harm for me, their intercession will avail me nothing, nor can they rescue me.

“I would then surely be in manifest error.

“I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me.”

Allah Most High says:

“You have come to Us alone, just as We created you the first time, leaving behind all that We bestowed upon you. We do not see with you your intercessors, whom you claimed to be partners in your affairs. The bonds between you have been severed, and those you used to claim have forsaken you.”

He, glorified is He, thus tells us that they claimed their intercessors to be partners in their affairs. Allah Most High says:

“Have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say, ‘Even though they possess nothing and have no understanding?’

“Say, ‘All intercession belongs to Allah. His is the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.’”

Allah Most High says: “You have no