This is an indication that the Messenger is "Allah"—intending by this the Name—and verses like this in the Book of Allah the Exalted are many.

The consensus among the Hashawiyya [literalists] is that the Prayer is the intermediary between the servant and his Lord. In reality, there is no intermediary, no path, and no guide to Allah other than the Master Muhammad, peace be from him. In the outward: "Whoever has no prayer has no religion." All of this points us to the Master Mim [Muhammad] and his station from his Pre-eternal Master [Ali]; and that the first thing Allah made obligatory upon the servants is the knowledge of Him and His Oneness [Tawhid], and the Prayer is a proof of the Master Mim.

As for these Opposites [Adhdad] who are persistent in denial and rejection, it [the outward ritual] has been made upon them as shackles and burdens [Aghlal wa Asar]. That is due to their lack of acknowledgment of its inward meanings throughout all manifestations. They remain as they are in disbelief and misguidance, according to His (the Exalted) saying: {Indeed, those who disbelieve—it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them—they will not believe} (Al-Baqarah 6).

I have mentioned that to you, O seeker, so you may know that He (the Exalted) is not unjust to His servants.