In sum, every Muslim is fully aware that whenever calamities or urgent needs befall the community—whether in hopeful expectation or in fearful apprehension, such as their supplication during the rain-seeking prayer (istisqaʾ) for sustenance, their entreaty at the time of an eclipse, or their pleas for the removal of affliction—they direct those prayers to Allah alone, without associating any partner with Him. Never at any time has it been permissible for Muslims to turn with their needs to anyone other than Allah, Majestic and Exalted. Even the polytheists of the pre-Islamic Age of Ignorance used to call upon Him directly, without any intermediary, and He would answer them. So after the advent of pure monotheism and Islam, is it conceivable that their prayers would be answered only through an intermediary for which Allah has sent down no authority?

Allah the Exalted says:

“When adversity touches man, he calls upon Us—lying on his side, sitting, or standing; but when We remove his hardship, he passes on as though he had never called upon Us concerning a hardship that had afflicted him.” (Jonah 10:12)

And He says:

“When affliction strikes you at sea, all those you invoke besides Him vanish; you then call upon Him alone.” (Al-Israʾ 17:67)

And He also says: