from Allah Himself—going so far as to plead, “Forgive me, have mercy on me,” and similar requests—on the assumption that she will then intercede with her Son on their behalf.

At one time they say, “O Mother of God, intercede for us with God”; at another they petition her directly for needs that should be sought only from Allah, without even mentioning intercession; and still others worship her just as they worship the Messiah.

Saʿīd ibn al-Bitrīq reports this about them when describing their gathering with Constantine at Nicaea. He writes: “They were of diverging opinions and diverging religions. Among them were those who said, ‘The Messiah and his mother are two gods besides Allah.’ These are the Maryamāniyyūn, also called the Maryamāniyyah.” Ibn Ḥazm relates the same.

Allah the Exalted has said:
“And [beware the Day] when Allah will say, ‘O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say to the people, “Take me and my mother as two deities instead of Allah”?’ He will say, ‘Exalted are You! It is not for me to say what I have no right to say. If I had said it, You would certainly have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, You alone are Knower of the unseen. I told them only what You commanded me: “Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are Witness over all things.’” (Al-Māʾidah 5:116–117)

He—glorified be He—did not relate this about all Christians; rather, He asked