And He, Exalted is He, says: “He has ordained for you, in matters of religion, what He enjoined upon Noah, that which We have revealed to you, and what We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Establish the religion and do not split into factions regarding it. That to which you are calling the polytheists is burdensome for them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back to Him.” 1

He, the Most High, also says: “We certainly sent to every community a messenger, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun every false deity.’ Some of them Allah guided, while others deserved to stray.” 2

He, Exalted, says: “Say, ‘Call upon those whom you claim besides Him; they have no power to remove hardship from you or to shift it elsewhere.’ Those they invoke themselves seek a means of approach to their Lord—who among them will be nearest to Him—hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment. Truly your Lord’s punishment is to be dreaded.” 3

Concerning those who used to call upon the angels and the prophets, He says: “Nor would he command you to take the angels and the prophets as lords. Would he command you to disbelief after you have submitted?” 4

And in rebuttal of those who have taken intercessors apart from Him, He says: “Have they taken intercessors other than Allah? Say, ‘Even though they possess no authority at all and lack understanding?’ Say, ‘Intercession belongs entirely to Allah. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; then to Him you will be returned.’ When Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter recoil; but when those other than Him are mentioned, they rejoice. Say, ‘O Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, it is You who will judge between Your servants concerning that over which they used to differ.’” 5