That is: And I did not create the jinn and mankind except for the purpose of worship. And I did not intend from all of them except that. [Mawood said: "Except for the purpose of worship, and I did not intend from all of them except that..." Ahmad said: It is his habit that whenever he senses that an apparent meaning aligns with his belief, he interprets it according to his doctrine by presenting the belief of the people of the Sunnah as a question, and presenting his belief as an answer. He did the same here. We say: The question he posed cannot be answered by what he mentioned, for it is a question whose premises are certain and rational. Therefore, the verse must be applied to it, which is that the apparent context of the verse is evidence for the people of the Sunnah. For it was only revealed to clarify His greatness, glorified and exalted is He, and that His relationship with His servants cannot be compared to the relationship of the servants of creation with them. For their servants are required to serve and earn for their masters, and through the earnings of their servants, their provisions are determined. And Allah, the Exalted, does not ask His servants for sustenance or food; rather, He asks them for worship alone. And in addition to Him not asking them for sustenance, He is the One who provides for them. This noble meaning is what is adorned under the banner of this verse, for it was revealed for this purpose and it speaks of this. But desires blind and deafen. Its essence is: And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to invite them to My worship. This is what the people of the Sunnah do not deviate from, for it aligns with their belief, and may Allah grant success.]} {