With the first half of the profession, “There is no deity but God,” Muslims acknowledge the unity, uniqueness, and transcendence of God. This is about as pure and unvarnished a statement of religious focus as one can imagine, demanding of believers uncompromising discipline and vigilance over their affections and spiritual loyalties. It calls believers to the lifelong project of sensitivity to all the subtle forms of idolatry to which human beings are susceptible. No one exemplifies dedication