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The same applies to excessive veneration of certain shaykhs, whether Shaykh “‘Adī,” Yūnus al-Qatī, al-Hallāj, or others; indeed, it applies to excessive veneration of ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, may Allah be pleased with him, and others like him—even of the Messiah, peace be upon him, and others like him.
If anyone excessively venerates a living person, or a righteous man such as ‘Alī, may Allah be pleased with him, “‘Adī,” or someone like him, or someone believed to be righteous, such as al-Hallāj, al-Hākim who was in Egypt, Yūnus al-Qatī, or others like them, and attributes some form of divinity to him—for example, by saying, “I want no provision that Shaykh so-and-so does not grant me”; saying, when slaughtering a sheep, “In the name of my master”; worshipping him by prostrating to him or to someone else; or calling upon him instead of Allah Most High, saying, for example, “O my master so-and-so, forgive me,” or “Have mercy on me,” or “Grant me victory,” or “Provide for me,” or “Come to my aid,” or “Grant me protection,” or “I put my trust in you,” or “You are sufficient for me,” or “I am in your care”—then all this, and similar words and deeds involving the exclusive prerogatives of lordship that belong to Allah Most High alone, constitutes polytheism and misguidance.
Such a person is to be called upon to repent. If he repents, well and good; otherwise, he is to be put to death. For Allah sent the messengers and revealed the Scriptures only so that we would worship Allah alone, without any partner, and not set up another god alongside Him.