to Allah. Nor has he read the Prophet’s prohibition ﷺ against building over graves, turning them into places of worship, and his curse upon those who do so—and if erecting shrines and circling around them is not idolatry, then what, pray tell, is idolatry? Yet, as ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The bonds of Islam will be undone one by one when there arises within Islam those who know nothing of the Age of Ignorance.” Was not the polytheism of Noah’s people expressed in calling upon the dead? Was not al-Lāt nothing but the tomb of a righteous man who used to prepare barley porridge for the pilgrims; and when he died they clustered at his grave and circumambulated it?

Had such words come from a layman who did not know the ruling, the matter would have been minor, for an uninformed commoner’s influence is limited. What pains us, however, is that they proceed from someone who claims scholarship and has issued many publications. Such a person may wield considerable influence—especially over those of limited learning—because of his numerous books, wide reputation, and the good opinion people hold of him, but the truth will prevail, by Allah’s leave: “As for the scum, it vanishes like foam, but that which benefits people remains upon the earth” (Qurʾān 13:17).

Knowledge is not gauged by the sheer number of one’s publications; it is measured by the ability to discern truth from falsehood, guidance from misguidance, and to act accordingly. Otherwise, how could it be imagined that a Muslim—let alone one who claims scholarship—would utter that circling shrines is not idolatry? Is not tawāf itself an act of worship? To devote worship to anyone besides Allah is idolatry and polytheism. If the one who circles a shrine intends thereby to draw near to the shrine itself, this is unquestionably major shirk, for he seeks nearness through worship to other than Allah. If, on the other hand, his purpose in circling the tomb is to draw nearer to Allah alone, then this is a blameworthy innovation and a gateway to shirk, for Allah has legislated tawāf only around the Honored Kaʿbah, and no tawāf is sanctioned elsewhere on the face of the earth.

In light of this, we call upon everyone who has heard any misrepresentation of Shaykh Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb’s call, or who has read books that promote such distortions—such as the writings of Shaykh Muḥammad Abū Zahrah—to verify the matter and consult the works