Allaah drew an example for a monotheist and polytheist in His ’s Words,
{ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًۭا رَّجُلًۭا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَـٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًۭا سَلَمًۭا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُون}
“Allaah presents an example of a slave owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man; are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allaah!; but most of them do not know.”(AZ-Zumar 29)
The first slave is owned by people, and ‘quarreling’ means of ill manners, pulling him in different directions, and ordering him to do different tasks. One of them would order him while the other would forbid, so that the slave remains to be confused and feels distressed, not knowing which master to pleased through carrying out his chore, and which one to rely upon in serving? As for the second slave, he belongs to only one master, that is, he only serves his master’s orders. Thus, his endeavors are one and his heart is gathered on serving only one person. Can both slaves be equal in manner or circumstance?
This is the state of a person who affirms more than one deity, and remains confused over which to worship, and whose lordship to rely upon? It is in contrast to one who only worships one deity, and his understanding and intent are one. Such a person has peace of mind with a simple existence. The point is that serving a master has a single master and no more, as Allaah says about Yoosuf (may Allaah’s Peace be upon him),
{ءَأَرْبَابٌۭ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّار}
“Are separate lords better or Allaah, the One, the Prevailing?” (Yoosuf 39)
If you were to imagine and ponder this example, and you were among those that Allaah has blessed with monotheism, you cannot help but say, Alhamdu llilaah!, Praise be to Allaah! If you were tested with worldly affairs, it is recommended to say,
“Alhamdu lillaahi-llathy ‘aafaany mimma-btalaahu bih!,
Alhamdu llilaah who has saved me from what He tested that person with!
How then would it be for the great disaster and calamity, polytheism?!