Then you find that these people, who go to extremes in what they claim is the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, turn away from the Quran and Sunnah and show little regard for their sanctity. One of them venerates his shaykh and the leader he follows more than he venerates the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Yet you find them associating partners with Allah by seeking deliverance from others, directing their fear and hope towards others, and loving others. Thus, among them you find forms of manifest and hidden association of partners with Allah, forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, whose extent Allah alone knows. Nevertheless, they turn away from what completes the affirmation of Allah’s oneness, claiming that they are fully realizing it.

As for Abū al-Qāsim’s defense of him on the grounds that the standing of all others dwindles into insignificance beside the greatness of the True One, this is an invalid excuse. Whoever bears witness that the Messenger was sent by Allah has not made him a rival, partner, or helper to Allah, such that their relative standing should be compared.

Such words are appropriate when addressing someone who says that Allah is the third of three, or ascribes a partner and a child to Allah, or seeks deliverance from a created being, relies upon it, acts for its sake, or becomes so preoccupied with it that he turns away from Allah. Such a person should be told:

“So worship Him and be steadfast in His worship. Do you know of anyone equal to Him?” (Surah Maryam, 65)

He should also be told:

“So worship Allah, devoting your religion sincerely to Him. Indeed, sincere devotion is due to Allah alone. As for those who take protectors besides Him, ‘We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah.’ Indeed, Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they