clear insight—myself and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah! I am not one of the polytheists.⦗1⦘

Imam Ibn Jarir (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on this noble verse:
“Allah, Exalted is He, says to His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: ‘Say, O Muhammad. “This” refers to the call to which I invite and the path upon which I stand: summoning people to affirm Allah’s oneness and to devote every act of worship exclusively to Him instead of to the false gods and idols; committing oneself to obey Him and abandoning disobedience to Him. “My path” means this very way and call of mine. “I call to Allah” alone, without partner. “Upon clear insight,” that is, upon certain and evident knowledge. “I and whoever follows me” means that everyone who follows, believes in, and affirms me likewise calls to Him upon clear insight. “Glory be to Allah,” that is, declare His transcendence and magnify Him above having any partner in His dominion or any deity besides Him in His sovereignty. “And I am not of the polytheists,” meaning: I am absolved of those who associate partners with Him; I am not of them nor are they of me.’” End of Ibn Jarir’s words.

This blessed verse therefore shows the importance of knowing the Islamic creed and calling people to it. The true followers of the Messenger are those who emulate him in this regard and who combine two qualities: knowledge of creed and calling others to it. Whoever has not learned the rulings of creed, shown concern for them, and invited others to them is not, in reality, among the Prophet’s followers, even though he may lay claim to that affiliation.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said concerning Allah’s statement, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition, and argue with them in the best manner”⦗2⦘:
“Here the Sublime Lord mentions the ranks of daʿwah and divides them into three categories according to the condition of the one being addressed. First, he may be a seeker of truth who, once he recognizes it, will prefer it over everything else; such a person is invited with wisdom and has no need of admonition or debate. Second, he may be occupied with what is contrary to the truth, yet were he to know the truth he would prefer and follow it; this individual requires admonition through encouragement and warning.