Verily, Allāh is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say; “What did Allāh intend by this parable?” By it He misleads many and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are rebellious, disobedient to Allāh. Those who break Allāh’s Covenant after ratifying it and sever what Allāh has ordered to be joined and do mischief on earth, it is they who are the losers.

 
The mushrik has several deities. He worships many statues and doesn’t know which of them to please. His situation is like that of the slave who has many masters all of whom are partners in his ownership. Each one of them wishes that the slave comply and conform to his wishes despite his wishes conflicting with that of the others. This leaves the poor slave bewildered between these many masters, not knowing whom to please from them.

As for the muwahhid however, his parable is that of the one owned entirely by a single person, fully at ease with his wishes and desires. He is in complete harmony with his master, free of conflict, disagreement and anxiety. He is a slave owned by one man. This is the state of the muwahhid who is the slave of one Lord and He is Allāh, the Most High and Exalted. He fulfils his religious duties to Allāh and abstains from that which displeases Him.
 
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